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Today, a doctor’s appointment comes in many forms. Whether a patient travels to their provider or schedules an electronic visit, there are many methods for consulting a healthcare professional. As the healthcare industry undergoes changes every day, many people wonder if the future of appointments lies in eVisits.
What is an eVisit?
Electronic visits can happen via several different mediums but all have one thing in common: direct electronic communication between patient and provider. This communication may be through video calls, online forms, live chatting, or two-way text messaging.
How do eVisits benefit patients?
The largest benefit for patients who choose to check-in through an eVisit is the convenience. Patients who live far away, care for young children, or want to update a provider of their situation no longer need to travel long distances for a simple visit.
Let’s say a patient has a mild cough and a sore throat. Traditionally, they would drive 20 minutes to the doctor, wait an additional 20 minutes, then a doctor confirms they have the flu. Now, they can do all this with a quick eVisit.
Through an eVisit, a patient can get a diagnosis for a non-emergency situation within a day or two. This saves them time, energy, and the inconvenience of organizing their schedule around an appointment.
Additionally, the number of trips to the emergency room will greatly decrease as preventative care becomes easier than ever before, saving time and money for patients. Recently, one study reported savings of $19-$121 per visit while using an eVisit program.
How do they benefit health organizations?
Health systems benefit from eVisits as well as they offer another method to attend to and charge patients. By offering consultations outside of standard office hours, providers open a new avenue through which they can invoice patients.
If your schedule is completely filled for the day, opening a channel that allows your patients to briefly chat with you can benefit both parties. Patients get the care they need and you provide them with an outstanding patient experience, increasing the likeliness of retaining them as a patient.
Today, fortifying a strong relationship with your patients is essential to the success of your practice. The more often a provider can meet with the patient, the more likely they receive long-term quality care. Fortunately, meetings are beneficial regardless of whether they are in an office or online. The ability to connect more with patients is one of the great benefits of eVisits.
Precautions
However, keep the following caution in mind before jumping into eVisits. Electronic visits are meant for reviewing mild conditions and should not replace in-person appointments for patients with serious health problems. Conditions like flu symptoms and sinus problems are common to discuss during an eVisit, but symptoms that may suggest a medical emergency should always be evaluated in person.
OhMD
OhMD offers a platform through which you can connect with patients electronically. With two-way messaging, a live chat feature, and file delivery, communicating with patients is easier than ever before. Care for more patients and take the next steps in keeping them out of the emergency room. Better yet, do all this while improving your bottom line.
To learn more about implementing OhMD’s eVisit service with your practice, schedule a demo today!
