Digital consultation: possibilities and opportunities for your practice
Anyone who runs their own practice today needs more than traditional advertising and word-of-mouth recommendations. The demand for flexible, digital services such as digital consultations is steadily increasing because more and more people value fast, uncomplicated and low-threshold healthcare. But what does this mean for your practice in concrete terms? And how can you achieve sustainable marketing for digital consultations?
What are digital consultation hours and who uses them?
A digital consultation is a medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment that takes place via video chat, telephone or app - even if the patient and doctor are not in the same room[1][3][9]. This service is particularly popular with people with limited mobility, working people, families and senior citizens who want to avoid long journeys. But young, digital-savvy people also appreciate the flexibility of being able to dial in spontaneously and save time in this way.
BEST PRACTICE for a customer (name withheld due to NDA contract): A GP practice in a rural area has been offering digital consultation hours for two years. Patients register via a secure platform and are informed individually by the practice about how the procedure works. The result: staff report that many older patients praise the ease of use and use the service regularly, for example to discuss blood values or renew prescriptions. The practice has been able to significantly expand its reach and now also offers digital nutritional counselling and initial psychosomatic consultations - all via video chat.
Successful marketing for digital consultation hours
A targeted digital strategy is needed for patients to find out about your digital consultation and build trust. The following applies: A modern practice website is the flagship. It should clearly communicate which services are available online, how registration works and the benefits of digital consultations[2]. SEO-optimised texts, explanatory videos and clear landing pages help you to be found easily for search queries such as „online consultation“ or „doctor's appointment by video“.
Social media plays a central role in this. Many practices use Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook to post short tutorials, answer frequently asked questions or share patient testimonials. It is crucial that the content is easy to understand and empathetic - and that the digital consultation is positioned as a genuine service solution.
BEST PRACTICE for a customer (name withheld due to NDA agreement): A specialist dermatology practice uses regular Instagram stories in which the practice team explains how skin screening works via video. Patients can log in directly via a link to online registration. The practice reports that the number of first-time contacts has increased significantly and that many young people are using the service to have a mole assessed quickly. The team analyses demand on a weekly basis and flexibly adjusts the opening hours of the digital consultation.
Technical requirements and data protection
A number of technical and legal aspects need to be considered to ensure that the digital consultation runs smoothly. The platform must meet the high data protection requirements, offer end-to-end encryption and be certified[7]. Patients must be informed before participating about how their data is protected and when a face-to-face appointment makes more sense.
Many systems can be easily integrated into the practice software so that appointments, documentation and billing are automated. It is important that the practice team is trained in using the technology and supports patients individually as required.
BEST PRACTICE with a customer (name withheld due to NDA contract): A dental practice recently launched a digital consultation for toothache, denture adjustments and oral hygiene advice. The platform offers a digital medical history form that patients fill out before the video call. Staff regularly provide feedback on how the service can be improved. The practice documents all contacts digitally and uses the data to continuously optimise the service. Patient feedback is consistently positive because waiting times are short and the counselling is targeted.
Digital consultation hours as a catalyst for practice development
The digital consultation hour is more than just a contemporary additional service. It can change the entire practice organisation and open up new target groups. Many customers report that the team works more efficiently thanks to the new processes and has more time for the actual consultation. At the same time, patient satisfaction increases because flexibility and service take centre stage.
For many practices, it makes sense to view the introduction of digital consultation hours as a project and provide targeted support. This is where iROI coaching comes in: Together, we analyse your initial situation, develop an individual digital strategy and provide support during implementation - from selecting the right platform and training the team to targeted public relations work.
My analysis
Today, digital consultations are a central component of modern healthcare. It opens up new opportunities to reach patients, improve healthcare communication and future-proof practices. Those who introduce and communicate digital consultations professionally can set themselves apart from other providers and build a strong bond with patients. Experience shows this: With a clear strategy, empathetic support and the right technology, you can successfully enter the digital world - and achieve lasting success for your practice.
Further links from the text above:
Telemedicine: Consultation online - Betanet [1]
How to achieve successful healthcare marketing - Medizinio [2]
What is telemedicine? An overview - gesund.bund.de [3]
Digital marketing for doctors - MedicusUnion [4]
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