Booking A Trip To The ER On Your Smartphone? It’s A Breeze
By LINDA A. JOHNSON, AP Business Writer |
No waiting weeks to see a dermatologist. No sitting for hours in the emergency room. No frantic calls to find a family doctor with openings.
Online services such as
Hospitals and doctors increasingly are subscribing to the services to simplify appointment scheduling for patients who dislike waiting on hold and are comfortable doing everything from shopping to banking online.
With most of the services, booking is as simple as going to a website, entering a zip code and the kind of care needed, and checking available times. Patients can get a doctor appointment within a couple days, even if they're a new patient. And the services say most patients are seen within 15 to 20 minutes of their appointment, and when an ER backs up, patients with reservations are texted to come later.
"I truly believe talking to people on the phone to schedule doctors' appointments will be something of the past very soon," says
Doctors and hospitals are using such services to attract and retain patients as the health care landscape keeps getting more competitive. With the nationwide proliferation of urgent care centers and pharmacy clinics open on nights and weekends, patients have more convenient options than ever before.
The booking websites also are a way for hospitals and doctors to try to please patients at a time when they face new financial incentives to do so. Starting this year, the Affordable Care Act, which requires most Americans to have health insurance, increases or reduces the
"I don't think you can compete in our medical practice marketplace without being a
EASY BOOKING
The services, which are free for patients but usually charge
ER Express, an
Meanwhile,
"We think everyone in America will be booking online eventually," Massoumi says.
InQuicker had a similar origin. It also was founded by someone who had some experience with the hassles of scheduling medical appointments.
Growth surged after current CEO
WIN-WIN-WIN
Doctors and hospitals say the services help attract new patients.
At
"It's been nothing but a benefit," Edelstein says.
"It's helped a lot with patient satisfaction," says operations chief
Some patients also like the benefits of booking online.
"When I got there, the waiting room was packed. There must have been 50 people there, and they took me in 10 minutes," recalls the
Doctors advised rest and ice packs and sent her home for follow-up. Later, a dermatologist diagnosed inflamed blood vessels and prescribed medication.
"This could revolutionize the way emergency care is delivered," Toth says.
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Copyright: | Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. |
Source: | Associated Press |
Wordcount: | 916 |
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