There are a lot of things that doctors need to take into consideration when they are trying to run their practice. They need to do more to help their patients. Around 70% of patients report that they feel their doctor’s offices are failing them.
Doctors can improve patient satisfaction by investing in the right technology. We talked about the growing role of technology in healthcare in the past. Certain types of software can help doctors improve communication with patients, which will address many of their concerns.
Your Practice Must Improve Patient Communication
Does your practice experience low patient attendance rates? Do people consistently call for same-day cancellations or rescheduling? If so, adopting a solution from a selection of the best patient communication software options may be the ideal strategic decision. This can do a lot to improve the doctor patient relationship.
Despite digitalization modernizing communication, text messaging, emails and calls are often ineffective. Even though patients receive several messages about upcoming appointments, same-day cancellations and missed appointments remain a staple in most practices.
Imagine one of your physicians has an eight-hour workday filled with 20-minute appointments. Even if only two in 10 patients are no-shows during their shift, their productivity declines by 16%. Now, multiply that by every provider and every unfilled visit. These seemingly minor losses can quickly add up, affecting your practice’s revenue and long-term success.
Statistically, your practice likely experiences a relatively high rate of last-minute cancellations and no-shows. Research shows the missed appointments rate for general practices ranges between 3.3% and 48.1%, averaging 15.2%. Patients reported that forgetting about their visit was one of the leading reasons for their absence.
Since forgetfulness is one of the leading causes of missed visits — and therefore revenue and productivity losses — you should seriously consider improving communication. Implementing the best patient appointment notification software can increase your patient attendance rate, automatically backfill open spots and predict when people will fail to show up.
Key Features
How do you know if the platform you are considering is the best patient communication software for your practice? Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance are primary indicators of a high-quality service.
Beyond the fundamentals, you should account for compatibility. How well will the platform work with your current communication methods? Will your data storage systems integrate seamlessly? Covering considerations like these can streamline implementation, helping staff adjust to the new tool faster.
Automation capabilities are another key feature most of the best patient appointment notification software options have. Patients should be able to receive messages, notifications or reminders from you without anyone at your front desk lifting a finger. This way, they have a higher chance of remembering and attending their appointment.
5 Best Patient Communication Software Options
Several platforms are in competition for the title of best patient communication software:
1. Patient Management Bridge
Patient Management Bridge is a practice management platform specializing in scheduling and engagement. It automates most communication tasks, including notification and payments. Crucially, it is compliant with HIPAA and PCI DSS.
This platform is the best patient communication software for small, medium and enterprise-sized facilities. After all, it was voted best estimated return on investment, easiest to use and best support in spring 2024.
| Feature | Benefit |
| Mass Messaging | Automatically contact numerous patients at once |
| Online Payments | Patients are more likely to pay on time and in full |
| Waitlist Management | Automatically backfill appointment cancellations |
2. NextGen Enterprise
NextGen is an electronic health record platform specializing in communication and consolidating billing. Its mobile-friendly patient platform is compatible with laptops, smartphones, desktops and tablets. Users can use its HIPAA-compliant app to review records, verify eligibility or schedule appointments.
| Feature | Benefit |
| AI Chatbot | Front-desk employees save time |
| Self-Scheduling | Patients can schedule appointments more conveniently |
| Secure Messaging | Messages between providers and patients remain safe |
3. Mend
Mend is a telehealth patient engagement platform. It may be the best patient appointment notification software for your practice if most visits are virtual. It provides HIPAA-compliant telemedicine, including digital intake forms, automatic appointment reminders and patient scheduling functions. Since it encrypts communications, video, text and email remain secure.
| Feature | Benefit |
| Digital Intake Forms | Reduce friction during check-in |
| Attendance Predictor | Proactively manage your waitlist |
| Custom Workflows | Tailor your workflows to your practice-specific needs |
4. MyChart
MyChart is among the best patient scheduling software options for small and medium-sized practices. Its mobile app lets patients view upcoming appointments, schedule visits, review billing statements and make payments. While some users criticize its lack of customization, they view its ease of use and convenience positively.
| Feature | Benefit |
| Mobile Check-In | Front-desk employees save time |
| Multiple Profile Support | Share information seamlessly as a group practice |
| Self-Scheduling | Patients can schedule appointments more conveniently |
5. RevenueWell
RevenueWell is a marketing and patient communication software suite for dental practices. Its main offerings include RevenueWell Forms and RevenueWell Phone. It is among the best patient communication software options for you if you have niche business needs. You would benefit from using its custom call trees and forms.
| Feature | Benefit |
| Custom Digital Forms | Accelerate intake, saving your receptionists’ time |
| Online Payments | Patients are more likely to pay on time and in full |
| Two-Way Texting | Personally communicate securely with patients |
Find Your Ideal Patient Communication Software
Implementing the best patient appointment notification software for your practice can increase patient attendance rates, improve physician productivity and accelerate your revenue cycle. More importantly, since automation features give providers and front-desk employees more free time, patient outcomes may improve.
