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| Doctor holding a phone Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash |
The innovative technologist behind OpenMed, Aaron Kaufman previously served as the CTO of Cardinal Health and CIO of Kony. Today, Aaron Kaufman is the founder and CEO of OpenMed, a platform that’s simplifying the booking of medical appointments. With more than 5.5 million providers listed and the option of requesting appointments with up to 10 providers, the platform makes it possible for patients to book appointments with doctors at a convenient time.
Booking a doctor’s appointment should be easy. However, as many people find out when they call a doctor’s office to schedule one, it may not be so simple. Because many doctors’ schedules are full, patients have to endure long wait times just to get a slot. And when an appointment opens up due to a cancellation many people will take it, even if it’s at an inconvenient time.
In 2017, Merritt Hawkins conducted a comprehensive survey on appointment wait times across the major and mid-sized metropolitan areas in the United States. Researchers found that average patient physician appointment wait times in the 15 large metro areas, including Atlanta, Boston, New York, Miami, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., was 24.1 days. Compared to data from a previous survey done in 2014, the wait time had increased by 30 percent. In 15 mid-sized metro areas like Albany (NY), Dayton (OH), Cedar Rapids (IA), Fort Smith (AR), and Lafayette (LA), average wait time was also longer (32 days). That’s 32.8 percent higher than the wait time recorded in 2014.
When you are sick, getting an early appointment can make all the difference in getting well. With online booking, you can get one. With millions of doctors already listed on digital technology platforms and the option to request appointments with multiple providers, patients can better their chances of getting seen faster.
Booking a doctor’s appointment should be easy. However, as many people find out when they call a doctor’s office to schedule one, it may not be so simple. Because many doctors’ schedules are full, patients have to endure long wait times just to get a slot. And when an appointment opens up due to a cancellation many people will take it, even if it’s at an inconvenient time.
In 2017, Merritt Hawkins conducted a comprehensive survey on appointment wait times across the major and mid-sized metropolitan areas in the United States. Researchers found that average patient physician appointment wait times in the 15 large metro areas, including Atlanta, Boston, New York, Miami, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., was 24.1 days. Compared to data from a previous survey done in 2014, the wait time had increased by 30 percent. In 15 mid-sized metro areas like Albany (NY), Dayton (OH), Cedar Rapids (IA), Fort Smith (AR), and Lafayette (LA), average wait time was also longer (32 days). That’s 32.8 percent higher than the wait time recorded in 2014.
When you are sick, getting an early appointment can make all the difference in getting well. With online booking, you can get one. With millions of doctors already listed on digital technology platforms and the option to request appointments with multiple providers, patients can better their chances of getting seen faster.
