04 Mar Selecting the Best Radiology Patient Scheduling Software for your Healthcare System

According to data from Academic Radiology, patients miss nearly a quarter of all outpatient imaging appointments. With the increasing use of medical imaging and a shortage of radiology personnel, it’s the perfect time for healthcare systems to consider incorporating radiology patient scheduling software into their technology infrastructure.

When selecting a radiology scheduling tool such as openDoctor, healthcare systems need to take into account numerous factors. We have compiled a list of 7 key considerations to assist you in choosing the best radiology patient scheduling software to meet the needs of your patients and healthcare system.

1.  Patient User Experience

A key benefit of radiology scheduling software is a more user-friendly experience for patients. One of openDoctor’s clients reported that half of their patients who book appointments online through openDoctor do so outside of normal business operating hours, signaling that radiology patients require the flexibility of online appointment scheduling systems in their busy lifestyles.

Not all online appointment scheduling systems are created equal, though, and it’s paramount to select a platform that provides an intuitive interface that patients can easily navigate. For many patients, the first impression they will get of your practice will be from the appointment scheduling process, so your radiology scheduling software must provide a visually pleasing and seamless experience. It’s also important that the interface is mobile-friendly so that patients can easily access it on the go.

2.  Internal User Experience & Support

When evaluating patient scheduling software providers, inquire about their approach to customer support and training, to ensure a smooth transition for your internal staff.

3.  Complex Scheduling Logic

When evaluating patient scheduling software providers, inquire about their approach to customer support and training, to ensure a smooth transition for your internal staff.

The tool will also need to effectively manage your referral queue, and remove patients from your follow-up list as soon as they schedule their appointment.

4.  Integration Capabilities

Your healthcare system has existing Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Radiology Information System (RIS) technology infrastructure, and any radiology patient scheduling software that you consider must be able to effectively integrate with these platforms. openDoctor is configurable and works with existing EHR/RIS systems, including those on our integrations list.

You may also want to consider using a platform that provides a white-labeled web and mobile app experience. This will allow your patients to interact with you on your own branded properties.

5.  Compliance and Security

Radiology patient scheduling software must comply with HIPAA and other relevant healthcare regulations to ensure that patient data is protected. Also, look for providers who offer robust security features, including encryption, secure access controls, and regular security updates.

6.  Reporting and Analytics

Not only do radiology patient scheduling tools take on the complex work of determining appointment capacity and scheduling workflows, but they can also continually adjust their logic based on real-time data to increase a system’s utilization rate. When evaluating radiology patient scheduling providers, ask about their ability to generate reports on scheduling efficiency, patient flow, and resource utilization so that your healthcare system can act on these valuable insights.

7.  Cost Effectiveness

Cost is always a consideration when evaluating new healthcare technology platforms. With radiology scheduling software, cost efficiencies can be gained by reducing appointment no-shows and the administrative costs associated with office-managed reminder calls and paper forms. Check out the openDoctor ROI Calculator to calculate your potential savings with a radiology scheduling and workflow optimization tool.

Learn More

As an early innovator in radiology patient experience, openDoctor is dedicated to bringing passion and expertise to an industry undergoing rapid change. For years, openDoctor has delivered innovative online appointment scheduling and patient engagement solutions to healthcare systems and practices of all sizes and levels of complexity. Our comprehensive set of tools is highly adaptable and capable of addressing even the most intricate scheduling and workflow challenges.

Let our experience guide you. For more information on radiology patient scheduling software, please get in touch with us.