Is Your Healthcare Organization Ready to Use eConsultations Software?

With goods and services increasingly moving online, healthcare organizations are beginning to adopt supporting technologies to help improve patient experiences and treatment outcomes. Telehealth and patient portal technologies are two of the solutions that are getting more use among healthcare providers – and they have opened up the door to eConsultations.

A patient portal software is the bridge between physicians and patients, and an eConsultation is the vehicle that transports individuals across. eConsultation features allows practices to generate revenue for messages and online video consults. It is similar in function to the messaging module in a patient portal, but it can require payment, either before the visit or once the communication is complete.

Bridge Patient Portal offers three simple forms of communication within the eConsultations module, allowing patients to schedule the following types of appointments:

1. Email: Communication can only be initiated by the physician or office staff, but patients can respond. All conversations stay within the confines of the portal.
2. Telephone call: All the patient has to do is select a date and time for the appointment and provide a phone number where they can be reached for the call.
3. Video Conferencing: As long as both the patient and physician have a webcam and an Internet connection, they can meet virtually and communicate in real-time.

Once the patient submits their eConsultation request, the provider will receive an email notification so that they can answer the secure email eConsultation, schedule a live video chat, or schedule a phone call.

Each provider can set an eConsultation rate for each type of communication, meaning they can charge per consult or at an hourly or per-minute rate. Providers can set up a pre-pay credit system for patients to use towards eConsultations; and they can also offer one a set number of free eConsultations per month with a patient’s access fee. Depending on the practice’s preference, the patient’s credit card information on file can be billed before or after the eConsultation.

What makes eConsultations attractive to both patients and providers?

With eConsultations, treatment and communication can take place without the patient physically being in the examination room. This makes for a convenient and time-saving healthcare experience, resulting in better treatment outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

This article was originally published on the Medical Web Experts blog.