subject: A Medical Call Center Could Save You Time [print this page] Medical call centers are staffed with well-trained and highly professional specialists that will assist patients with the care and respect that they get from the physician. Many of these centers employ people that have previous experience in the medical industry, and know how to deal with patients. This is a huge benefit for doctors and other professionals that rely on them to be there for their clients 24 hours a day.
One of the most important training sessions that call center staff receive is HIPAA compliance training. This may include information on how to keep the patient's name and messages confidential while speaking with them on the phone. The telephone representatives do not have access to sensitive patient data, but they should keep medical conversations confidential. By conducting this type of training, the call center shows that they are professional and serious about taking care of your patients.
Many call centers are managed by professionals with years of industry experience in the medical field. They understand the importance of taking care of the patient in a timely manner, and also know how to talk with difficult patients. This is an invaluable skill for physicians that have little to no time to decipher which calls should be taken right away. Putting this task in the hands of a professional could ultimately save the physician hours each day.
When employing a medical call center, there are some things that you should look for to ensure that your patients will receive quality treatment on the telephone. Ask for references upfront of companies that they are currently contracted with. They should have a list on hand for customers that ask this question frequently. Your goal is to make sure that the quality of their service is to your standards. By speaking with some of their current customers, you will get a better feel for whether or not the company is right for your practice needs.
Virtual companies hire telephone specialists to answer the phone in their home. The problem with this lies with employees working while other background noise is audible to the patients. This gives your practice an unprofessional image, and unfortunately encourages your callers not to try to reach you. The service that you employ should be located in a standalone facility that is monitored and managed by professionals.
Ultimately, a medical telephone service could save a medical practice money and time.
