Two tasks highly efficient practices delegate to their patients

Achieving greater practice efficiency often requires addressing key workflows, rethinking who does what, and delegating appropriately. In some instances, this can mean delegating tasks to patients.

Appointment booking. With today’s technology, most appointments can be booked without using any staff resources. Using online appointment booking systems, such as Appointment Quest, practices can empower patients to make their own appointments by simply going to the practice’s web site and following the prompts. Many practices already have this capability, but patients may not know about it. Getting patients to use these systems can save staff time, freeing them to assist physicians in other ways.

History-taking. Online systems such as Instant Medical History allow patients to enter their own history into their chart. Patients can complete a web-based version from home before their appointment or an office-based version in the waiting room using a computer or tablet. Having patients enter their own history has many benefits. It often produces a more complete note, which allows practices to bill at a higher level than they might otherwise be able to; it helps patients clarify the reason for their visit before seeing the physician; and it saves the practice time.

Read the full FPM article: “Seven Strategies for Creating a More Efficient Practice.”