Be a Technology Leader in the Workplace
Medical practices are notorious for utilizing outdated technology and being slow adopters of current, and often necessary, updates. This is generally because of the small budgets and the lack of time staff members have to learn anything new. Some would say they go by the old mantra “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But relying on old technology can do more damage than you may have thought. Not only could you be missing out on innovate new solutions, you risk missing out on top new talent, and you can be putting your patients at risk.
Below are our top reasons why your practice should work hard to be a technology leader.
It saves money.
While any new program has a high upfront cost, it will often save you money down the line. Something that can save your staff members time, especially when it comes to the paperwork involved in billing and filing, can allow your staff members to work on other projects. Even if you shave off a few hours of busy work a week, this can really add up. Maybe you won’t need to hire that temp worker after all.
It helps patients.
Years ago, the idea of a portal that would allow patients to make appointments, contact their doctor and request refills without ever picking up the phone sounded ridiculous. Now, you would be hard pressed to find a practice that does not offer a patient portal. These not only allow patients to be more involved in the management of their health care, it gives your physicians more contact with their patients. This leads to better doctor/patient relationships and hopefully to better outcomes.
It improves patient satisfaction.
With the addition of self-serve kiosks, patients no longer have to wait in long check-in lines. In fact, a study found that 63 percent of patients said that the most stressful thing about going to see their doctor was the waiting.
In came self-serve kiosks, a technological advancement that took a little while for practices to get used to. While there is something to be said for the benefits of human interaction, not everyone needs to speak with a front office staff member. For those patients, they can save time and energy by simply checking in for their visit at the kiosk in the waiting room and letting the staff members help those who need it.
It attracts better applicants.
When filling a job opening, you are always looking for the best. In addition to these tips for recruiting top talent, taking an interest in technology can also help. While you may offer solid benefits and have a good reputation, applicants are putting more emphasis than ever on technology. Showing applicants that your practice is an early adopter shows that you are open to new ideas and can help foster them as they grow in their career.
While scary, new technology is where we are headed. Getting in on the ground floor can help set your practice apart.