Free yourself from drudgery

Outsourcing your administrative tasks in private practice has some big advantages, says Derek Kelly.

Time is a valuable asset and, in the fast-paced world of business, it holds true that time is money. This same principle applies to the field of medicine. 

Doctors can attest that time plays a critical role in the difference between saving a life and losing a patient. When patients seek medical assistance, they expect immediate solutions to their problems, but ,unfortunately, the waiting time can often be excessively long. 

The issue at hand extends beyond doctors being overwhelmed with patients; it is primarily due to their limited time to handle all tasks efficiently. 

Many doctors face the burden of excessive clinical documentation, leaving them with insufficient time to nurture the doctor-patient relationship. 

To address this challenge, outsourcing administrative tasks has emerged as a practical solution for doctors in private practice. 

The growing trend of healthcare outsourcing stems from its proven benefits in the industry. Let’s explore some advantages of outsourcing medical tasks in private practice.

Enhanced focus on patient care

Private doctors constantly face the increasing demand for high-quality, patient-oriented and timely documentation. 

However, this demand has led to time pressure and reduced job satisfaction among doctors, as they find themselves spending more time on clinical documentation rather than interacting with patients. 

Doctors spend about three hours each day, on average, on documentation tasks. That’s equivalent to the time it takes to see an additional eight or nine patients. 

By outsourcing administrative documentation tasks and prioritising the value of face-to-face interactions, doctors can improve the most crucial aspect of healthcare: the doctor-patient relationship.

Outsourcing private practice administrative tasks proves to be an effective strategy. It allows doctors to focus on patient care, spend more time with their patients and minimise their computer-related tasks. 

This not only eases the workload but also enhances overall efficiency in attending to patients’ needs. Outsourcing enables doctors to maximise their time, see more patients and provide focused attention to each individual’s medical concerns.

Expert handling of jobs

Another significant advantage of outsourcing administrative tasks is the opportunity to delegate the job to an expert. 

By doing so, doctors gain more time for quality patient interactions, enabling them to fulfil their primary function of diagnosing and treating patients. 

Outsourcing offers access to a diverse pool of skilled professionals who excel in various administrative tasks. 

While retaining control over core practice areas, doctors can delegate various tasks, including referrals, diary management,  inbound and outbound phone calls, insurance verification and pre-authorisations, billing and other back-office responsibilities.

Time and cost savings

Saving time and money remains one of the primary motivations for businesses to embrace outsourcing. By outsourcing, private practices can significantly reduce the expenses associated with hiring additional office employees. 

It eliminates the need to invest valuable time and money in training new employees, as the outsourcing partner takes charge of such training and management tasks. 

Outsourcing also leads to substantial cost reductions in office supplies, furniture  and computer hardware, enabling practices to reinvest in patient services and amenities that enhance overall patient care.

Improved patient experience

One of the most common patient complaints revolves around waiting time. Long waits lead to dissatisfaction, causing patients to seek alternatives and negatively impacting their perception of the clinic’s customer service. 

Outsourcing billing and incoming calls can help reduce queues, thereby improving the overall patient experience. 

By thoroughly examining eligibility requirements and completing pre-authorisations, practices can ensure insurance coverage and provide accurate information to patients. 

Typically, patients spend an average of five to seven minutes on hold when calling a medical practice, while those waiting at the front desk may also experience delays. At Medserv, we can efficiently manage incoming calls, handle billing-related inquiries, schedule appointments, process prescriptions and address other patient needs. 

Outsourcing these services significantly contributes to enhancing the overall patient experience. It represents one of the most promising applications of technology in the medical field. 

By eliminating inefficiencies and delegating tasks that can be handled externally, doctors can achieve optimal practice efficiency. 

Embracing technology presents an opportunity to spend more time cultivating the doctor-patient relationship rather than being consumed by excessive documentation. By outsourcing administrative tasks, doctors can eliminate the factors hindering their ability to perform their medical duties efficiently.

The benefits are not limited to doctors alone. Patients also stand to gain. Ultimately, the care provided to patients serves as the core product and ensuring their satisfaction relies on delivering value during their visits. 

Allocating more time for each patient visit enables doctors to understand patients’ needs and deliver the quality they deserve. If you embrace the advantages of outsourcing, you will witness the positive impact on both your practice and patients.

Derek Kelly (right) is marketing manager at Medserv

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