Digital solutions continue to transform the healthcare industry. These tools boost efficiency, enhance patient experiences and improve access to care. 

Examples of transformative digital solutions include self-service patient options. These options give patients more control over many aspects of healthcare, from scheduling appointments to inputting feedback.

How Do Patient Self-Service Options Work in Healthcare?

Self-service options create more convenient and flexible experiences for patients. The digital solutions allow patients to manage appointments, prescriptions and communication with providers. Instead of waiting to manage these aspects in a healthcare facility, patients can access them on their own time. 

Advancements in technology have caused a shift in preferences. With so many competing healthcare options available, patients seek convenient and personalized providers. Whether they’re scheduling an upcoming appointment or communicating with their provider about prescriptions, self-service options empower patients to make their own decisions.

Examples of Patient Self-Service
Options in Healthcare

Advancements in technology have allowed providers to use a variety of technology types for self-service applications. Self-service solutions are available in a wide range of options, such as:

• Check-in kiosks: You can place these kiosks directly in your healthcare facility or use a virtual platform. Patients can use these to sign into their appointments at their own convenience. They can type in personal information, such as date of birth or prescription history, as they alert providers they’ve arrived. Some virtual platforms allow patients to wait in a virtual line before they reach your facility, reducing crowds and stressful wait room experiences. Overall, kiosks are a great way to reduce wait times and workloads for administrative workers.
• Online payment portals: There are many benefits of digital healthcare payments. Patients can view their payment histories, make payments and generate price estimates in an easily accessible format. Many patients avoid healthcare services out of fear they cannot afford them. Other patients become frustrated with a lack of transparency in pricing. These online payment tools remove these barriers, allowing them to feel more comfortable with viewing and processing payments. In turn, they might be more likely to meet deadlines.
• Communication methods: Many providers use virtual methods to maintain communication with their patients. Online messaging systems allow patients to communicate directly with providers. They can ask questions about upcoming appointments, report treatment progress or convey other concerns. SMS messaging or other online formats are easy to use and empower patients to take a more direct approach to their care.
• Online surveys: Another self-service option is online feedback questionnaires. You can create surveys for patients to complete after their appointments and ask about their satisfaction levels. Then, data analytics tools allow you to analyze responses and create an enhanced patient experience for future appointments.

As digital solutions evolve, providers can continuously find new ways to incorporate self-service options.

Reasons for Providers to Prioritize Patient
Self-Service

Self-service options can deliver a more satisfying patient experience. Here are more benefits of self-service options for patients:

1. Enhance Efficiency

Digital solutions can streamline many manual procedures of your facility. In turn, you can lessen the number of manual tasks for your office and allow employees to work on higher-priority tasks. 

For example, there are many benefits of patient self-scheduling. A virtual patient self-check-in method allows patients to handle these processes instead of administrative workers. Finding an appointment time that suits both providers and patients can be time-consuming. Instead of navigating this process over the phone, patients can manage appointments at their convenience. 

Self-service methods allow providers to meet patient needs more quickly. And the more efficient your office becomes, the more patients you can provide services for.

2. Improve Patient Journeys

Digitized self-service solutions also enhance patient experiences. Patients might become dissatisfied with long wait times or complicated scheduling processes. Smooth waiting room experiences, quality provider care and easy payment processes can boost patient satisfaction. Many self-service options directly address these aspects and can establish your practice as a leading healthcare option.

3. Increase Revenue

Self-service options can also benefit your facility’s financial success. Patients who feel satisfied with your facility processes are more likely to return. Loyal patients are likely to recommend your services to others, allowing you to build a wider base of patients.

Self-Service Options Enhance Patient Experience in Healthcare

Patient satisfaction is crucial for all healthcare facilities. Positive experiences with providers can encourage patients to follow treatment recommendations and schedule follow-up appointments. Satisfied patients can help you set yourself apart from competitors, establishing yourself as a reliable and high-quality source of healthcare.

Self-service solutions can improve patient experiences by adding:

• More personalization: Options like online surveys allow providers to view and respond to patient feedback. And communication methods give patients a direct way to speak with providers about their healthcare plans. In turn, providers can create treatment plans based on patient preferences — you can connect with them through a more personalized approach. Attentive care can improve patients’ quality of life and encourage them to seek further healthcare options.
• More engagement: Self-service options let patients become more engaged in services. Whether they’re scheduling appointments or responding to provider questions, these solutions empower patients to make more of their own decisions. And the more involved patients are, the more likely they will follow the correct procedures for their health.
• More access: Self-service methods can increase healthcare access for patients. Many barriers prevent patients from seeking healthcare, from busy schedules to fears about costs. Online, self-service options allow patients to manage appointments and payments in a way that suits them. Patients with more control over their choices might feel more engaged in their care.

How Millennia Can Help:
Now Everything’s Complete

Self-service options are excellent ways to improve your patient satisfaction rates. At Millennia, we understand the importance of delivering a positive patient experience. Everything from appointment scheduling to payment processes can influence how a patient feels about your services.

We offer three digital solutions you can integrate with your existing systems to enhance the patient journey from pre- to post-visit:

• Millennia Access: Millennia Access creates a unified patient experience by streamlining pre-service and day-of-appointment processes. Our software digitizes processes like appointment scheduling, check-in and check-out, communication methods and more. This solution can increase patient control over their experience and ease workloads for your employees.
• Millennia Recover: This digital solution focuses on streamlined payment processes. Convenient options like MobilePay and an online payment portal make it easy for patients to manage their payments. You can initiate real-time chat methods, answering patient questions immediately. Millennia Recover can help patients meet deadlines and understand their bills in more detail.
• Millennia Complete: Millennia Complete combines the features of Millennia Access and Millennia Recover to create a comprehensive patient solution.

To get started with Millennia, request a consultation today.