Since the pandemic hit, the use of technology to remotely perform activities of daily living grew remarkably. Today in Spanish territory it is possible to make an appointment for a family doctor over the Internet from almost any autonomous community, and the objective of this type of action is to facilitate the procedures. Before, even if we were going through the flu, we had to go to the doctor to request an appointment.
Maybe we could try calling by phone, but if we don't have luck and they attend us, we had to approach the office. Today this has changed because technology is at the service of patients. We tell you how you can make an appointment with your family doctor online.
Appointment with the family doctor on the Internet in Autonomous Communities
Each Autonomous Communities de España has its own service to request an appointment with the GP. Some have a website and mobile application, others opt for one or the other service exclusively. Either way, the procedure is usually quite similar.
There are different health disciplines that allow you to request appointments using an Internet connection: among them traditional medical consultation (family medicine or pediatrics), nursing, vaccinations or administrative procedures.
Some specific activities in health centers They do not allow online shifts. For these practices, it is necessary to have a previous indication of the professional or specific preparation conditions. In these cases, the shift will be granted in person or by telephone by the corresponding secretary. Minor surgeries and diagnostic tests, among others, appear in this type of shift. That require greater control when it comes to managing times, spaces and available shifts.
The advantages of an appointment with the GP online and digital appointments
A digital shift system is a technological solution to manage information. It allows the client and the user to better organize the alternatives and times available from the comfort of a mobile device. The web applications or mobile apps are managed in such a way that the professional can know at all times how to organize your times and the number of patients who are waiting. Among the numerous advantages of a digital shift system we find:
patient protection
This was especially useful in pandemic, but it is still a great way to take care of the patient from unnecessary outings. The organization of care becomes more organized and patients are not exposed to other diseases while waiting to request an appointment. Reduces the crowding of patients in the waiting room.
Improve user experience
be able to ask for one GP appointment online It significantly improves the user experience. By being able to request shifts directly from the Internet, it is possible to better organize our own time and day to day, being able to take advantage of the time for other activities.
Less waiting on site
An office full of people waiting is never a good sign. Therefore, a simpler and more dynamic organization through a digital shift facilitates the professional and patient experience. You can choose the best time to go see your GP, be treated and leave without waiting or queue to get a new shift. The experience improves notably and that is why the main health services in Spain offer the alternative of Internet appointments to some extent.
Attention by teleconference
This is one new alternative that is gaining more and more strength, and is related to connectivity. Telematic assistance to patients, with shifts that use video and audio to make remote diagnoses. This is an advantage that helps to think about new ways of care. The family doctor can provide a series of instructions to the patient from videoconference. Personalized attention is still the key, but taking advantage of distance and technology can provide new forms of care.
Less pressure on employees
The possibility of making an appointment with the GP via the Internet also reduces the pressure on employees. In this way, the system records the shifts, and the secretary can perform other tasks related to patient care. Organize medical records, meet other professional requests and organize patients who have already arrived and are waiting to be seen.
Conclusions
The different health agencies in Spain, with own systems in each Autonomous Community, have adapted to online shifts. The experience accelerated with the arrival of the pandemic, but it was headed for this place. The goal is to improve the overall experience for patients, doctors, and workers by better organizing and optimizing existing resources. Great news for health as a whole and for patients in particular.