The Case for Patient Self-Service in Healthcare Facilities Enabled by Microsoft Technologies and Partner Solutions

Tomorrow, I will record the second show in our new series of audiocasts (podcasts) on www.microsoft.com/healthcare. If you didn't have an opportunity to check out our inaugural program on physician-patient e-mail, you can check it out here.

Our second program picks up on a topic I introduced not too long ago for my "House Calls for Healthcare Professionals" article series; the growing patient self-service phenomenon. Personally, I think this is one of the hottest areas in healthcare IT right now. Talk about a way to improve patient satisfaction, the quality of care, and get a positive return on investment! This is it. Guests on my program will include:

Raj Toleti, president of Galvanon, a premier healthcare information technological solutions and management company specializing in patient self-service solutions on kiosks and other devices.

David W. Carleton, CIO, Heritage Valley Health System, a healthcare delivery system consisting of 2 hospitals and 50+ physician offices and clinics covering a 60 mile radius located NE of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Simeon Schwartz, a practicing hematologist/oncologist who serves as CEO for the Westchester Medical Group in White Plains, New York.

Chaim Indig, President and co-founder of Phreesia Inc., a start-up that is focusing on changing the patient experience in private practice without adding cost to the physician or patient.

The program, "The Case for Patient Self-Service in Healthcare" should go live around the 20th of March. I hope you'll check it out.

On another note, I lambasted my industry (healthcare) in December after receiving some very bad service during the hospitalization of a family member. Believe me, the criticism was well deserved. Yesterday, I had the pleasure :) of undergoing a minor surgical procedure at another facility in Seattle. Although this facility was anything but high-tech on the IT front, I received excellent and extremely compassionate care every step of the way. And even though I could come up with a dozen ways this practice could improve operations (and probably their bottom line) with more IT, my positive experience goes to show that a practice that focuses foremost on putting patients first is always a recipe for success. Here's what I experienced; happy helpful receptionists, a warm and caring staff, a clean efficient office, excellent pre and post treatment care, clear concise communication, a sensitivity to human dignity, taking time to answer questions, greeting everyone with a smile, and always a reassuring human touch. These are the little things that make a good practice great. My sincerest thanks to Dr. Craig Birkby and his staff. 

We'd like to hear from you. Let us know what you think.

Bill Crounse, MD Healthcare Industry Director  Microsoft Healthcare and Life Sciences