Executive Summary:
Managing appointments manually was time-consuming and error-prone for a Hyderabad-based Diabetic Center with two branches. By implementing DocPulse’s IVR appointment booking system, the clinic successfully digitized its appointment scheduling, improved patient satisfaction, and increased daily patient intake from 70-80 to over 120 patients.
Client Background
The Diabetic Center, located in Hyderabad, operates two branches under the guidance of a single specialist doctor who works in different shifts across both locations. Known for delivering comprehensive diabetic care, the Center aimed to streamline its appointment management system, allowing staff to focus more on patient care.
The Client’s Challenge
Prior to implementing a digital system, the clinic relied on manual, pen-and-paper methods for managing patient appointments. This outdated approach led to several issues:
- Inconsistent Appointment Scheduling: The manual process resulted in frequent booking errors and scheduling conflicts, frustrating patients and staff alike.
- High Staff Workload: Staff members spent a significant amount of time on phone calls, booking appointments and managing changes, which detracted from direct patient care.
- Limited Capacity: Due to these inefficiencies, the clinic was able to accommodate only 70-80 patients per day across its two branches.
The Solution: DocPulse’s IVR Appointment Booking System
To address these challenges, the Diabetic Center adopted DocPulse’s IVR appointment booking system. This solution automated the entire appointment scheduling process, providing several key features:
- Digitized Appointment Scheduling: The IVR system allowed patients to book appointments without speaking to staff, freeing up staff time for in-clinic patient assistance.
- Regional Language Support: Configured to announce prompts in regional languages, the IVR system made appointment booking accessible to a broader demographic, improving patient experience.
- Real-Time Appointment Updates: Patients received automated notifications about their appointments, reducing no-shows and minimizing confusion over scheduling changes.
By leveraging DocPulse’s clinic management software, the Diabetic Center digitized patient flow and appointment handling, allowing staff to focus on patient care and ensuring a smoother operational flow at both branches.
Results and Benefits
The transition to an automated appointment booking system brought measurable improvements:
Enhanced Patient Flow and Capacity
- Increased Daily Patient Intake: The center’s capacity grew from 70-80 patients per day to over 120, a significant increase that allowed the center to serve more individuals needing diabetic care.
- Reduced Patient Waiting Time: Patients could schedule appointments at their convenience, leading to shorter waiting times and an overall better patient experience.
Improved Staff Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction
- Reduced Staff Workload: By automating appointment bookings, staff were freed from repetitive administrative tasks, allowing them to spend more time assisting in-person patients.
- Enhanced Patient Communication: Patients received updates about their booked appointments and any schedule changes via the IVR system, keeping them informed and improving their overall satisfaction with the clinic’s services.
Actionable Insights for Administration
With access to data from the DocPulse system, the clinic’s administration could now analyze patient flow, optimize doctor schedules, and plan for periods of high demand. These insights enabled the clinic to make data-driven decisions, improving operational efficiency and resource allocation. View our more case studies here: PRODUCT CASE STUDIES
Future Outlook
The Diabetic Center plans to continue using DocPulse’s IVR appointment booking system as it expands its reach in Hyderabad. With scalable options and the flexibility to handle larger volumes of patients, the system will support the clinic’s future growth and adaptability to emerging patient needs.