4 Important Features For A Medical Website
No matter the type of medical facility or specialty, it is important to have a fully functioning website. Including the right combination of features that will make your website user friendly and help attract new patients.
Regular Blog Posts
A blog can feel unnecessary when you want a simple website for your practice, but it is an important part of search engine visibility. The easiest way to maintain an active blog is to cover health topics relevant to your medical specialty, trending medical information, and your professional opinion about different topics. Some specialties in medicine frequently have new developments in surgical procedures, medications, and approaches to treating patients. Be a resource for your patients to learn about information from someone they trust, in easy-to-understand language.
Electronic Health Records
If you have an independent medical practice, it is important to find a reputable provider of electronic health records and provide this resource to your patients. When your practice is part of a larger network that already uses electronic records, make it easy for your patients to access and use the system by including a link. Consider going the extra mile and making a tutorial that shows your patients how to use the system, especially critical features, such as sending a message to their doctor, refilling prescriptions, and scheduling appointments.
Since your health records system may include lab results, radiology, and pathology reports, include information for patients about common lab tests and what the results mean. Your patients may view their results before someone from your office calls them or before their next appointment. Knowing how to interpret this information can prevent unnecessary concerns if results are abnormal.
Maps And Driving Directions
A major frustration for new patients is having a difficult time finding the doctor's office or another medical facility. Include a picture of the office on your website so patients can easily identify the building. Major search engines, such as Google, typically have maps and driving directions that can be including on your website. If your locality has other methods of transportation, such as a bus or subway system, list the routes that stop near your office to make it easier for patients who use mass transit. Consider adding directions to other medical facilities that are used for referrals. Many doctors refer their patients to a specific laboratory or medical facility for blood work, imaging tests, or other outpatient procedures.
Forms
New patients typically have several forms to fill-out once they reach the office. Consider adding any forms to your website that are needed by new and returning patients. Whenever possible, having the forms completed beforehand will make the process go smoother for both the patient and your staff. Having the forms available can also help patients who may have trouble reading or seeing and may not bring along someone to help them with the forms.
Having an informative and user-friendly website is important for medical practices. Knowing what patients expect from their doctor's website can help you attract new patients while meeting the needs of your current patients. To learn more, contact a company that specializes in website design for doctors.