Online patient portals give patients digital access to their health information and help with some medical tasks. They often let patients see lab results, send messages to doctors, check medication lists, and make appointments. Even though these features seem useful, many patients find the portals hard to use. This causes fewer people to use them.
One big problem is how the portals are designed. Jessica L. Baldwin and her team say many portals have complicated screens that are hard to read, especially for people with older phones or little computer experience. Patients have to do many steps to log in, find information, or do simple things. This can make them frustrated and not want to use the portals.
Another problem is that some patients do not understand medical language well. It can be hard to know what test results or instructions mean. When patients don’t understand, they might miss important care steps. This can lead to worse health outcomes.
People use patient portals differently based on age, income, and education. Younger and tech-smart patients might learn quickly, but older adults and those with less digital skill might not use portals much. Hardeep Singh and others say this difference makes portals less useful for all patients.
Mobile health apps have been adopted faster than patient portals. These apps are often easier to use. They offer simple login options like using your fingerprint, track health in real time, and show clear information. Dean F. Sittig points out that these apps are designed to be easier for users, so more people use them.
Some experts suggest that patient portals should add features like mHealth apps. Real-time alerts, easy menus, and interactive tools could help. But even with these changes, patient portals and mHealth apps each still do not meet all patients’ needs fully.
Many patients still like to call their healthcare providers instead of using digital tools. Studies show about 30-35% of incoming calls to medical centers are about making or changing appointments. Phone calls feel easier and more familiar to most people, no matter their tech skills.
Even though patients like calling, phone systems often upset them. They may have old automated menus called phone trees. These menus have many options and steps to reach the right person. This can take a long time and make patients unhappy. Sometimes patients hang up because the process is confusing.
Medical practice owners know phone contact helps build trust and solve tricky patient issues. Talking to a live person reassures patients. It is especially helpful for questions needing understanding or explanation, not just quick facts.
Phone systems are important but can be slow. Companies like Simbo AI work to improve phone services using artificial intelligence (AI). AI phone systems can help manage many calls faster, cut down wait times, and make patients happier.
Unlike human workers, AI answering services work all day and night. Patients can make, change, or cancel appointments anytime, even after office hours. This makes it easier for patients and helps reduce missed appointments by sending reminders.
AI systems avoid annoying phone trees. They use language processing to understand what patients say and guide them smoothly. Patients find these AI bots easier to use since they talk more like humans without many menu steps.
Besides helping with calls, AI can listen and write down phone talks between patients and providers in real time. This saves doctors and nurses from writing notes, letting them spend more time caring for patients.
Rafael Salazar II says that good AI use can help staff do their jobs better and improve personal care. By handling simple tasks, AI gives clinicians more time to focus on each patient.
Medical practice managers in the U.S. face the challenge of choosing communication tools that fit their patients and office needs. Because many patients still want to use the phone, relying only on online tools will not work for everyone.
One good solution is to combine AI phone answering with online patient portals and mobile health apps. This way, tech-savvy patients can use digital tools, and those who prefer phones get support too. When done well, this mixed approach helps more patients and raises satisfaction.
When using AI phone systems, staff need training to handle difficult calls when the AI cannot. Practices should encourage patients to try digital tools but still keep phone support for those less comfortable with technology.
Patient portals should become easier to use by adding ideas from health apps. Simple screens, easy login, and clear directions can help with low health literacy. Clinics can also tell patients about digital tools through calls, emails, or in person to help them use self-service options.
AI and automation give healthcare providers ways to improve patient access and lower extra work. Simbo AI is one company making phone services smarter for medical offices.
By using AI conversational tools, medical centers in the U.S. can handle appointments better, offer help after hours, and reduce staff stress. But keeping phone lines open is still important because many patients prefer talking to a real person.
Blending phone help with better digital tools and careful AI use can help offices meet different patients’ needs and save time for staff. This approach can improve patient involvement, speed up work, and support good patient care.
This article aims to help healthcare managers, practice owners, and IT staff who want to improve communication tools. Knowing the limits of online patient portals and the value of phone communication is important to build healthcare that focuses on patients in the United States today.
Patients often encounter phone trees that are confusing and time-consuming, leading to frustration and a potential loss of interest in scheduling appointments.
AI can streamline processes, reduce administrative burden, and improve scheduling efficiency, thereby increasing patient access and engagement.
By automating repetitive tasks and improving communication efficiency, AI allows healthcare workers to focus more on patient care and less on administrative duties, thereby reducing burnout.
Only around 30% of patients actively use online patient portals, highlighting the need for traditional phone communication as a supplement for scheduling.
Conversational AI enables 24/7 scheduling capabilities, allowing patients to book appointments at their convenience, reducing wait times and no-shows.
AI is commonly used for appointment scheduling, reminders, and clinical outreach to enhance patient engagement and operational efficiency.
They help manage high volumes of phone calls, allowing staff to concentrate on more complex patient interactions and administrative tasks.
Implementing AI thoughtfully can enhance human connection by freeing up clinicians to provide more personalized care instead of being bogged down by administrative tasks.
These assistants offer 24/7 support, monitor health conditions, provide medication reminders, and facilitate therapeutic conversations, thereby improving chronic disease management.
AI can improve efficiency by streamlining administrative processes, enhancing scheduling, and automating documentation, allowing healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to patient care.
Simbo is using AI agents to automate all phone related workflows. Connect now to know more.
Schedule AI Agents Demo Now© Since 2019, Simbo AI.
