Keeping patients on schedule for follow-ups, screenings, and annual visits is vital for both their health and the practice’s. But when staff already have full workloads, recalls can slip through the cracks. This can lead to missed appointments, delayed diagnoses, and lost revenue.
The good news is that you don’t have to hire more staff to improve patient recalls. With the right tools and outsourced support, you can keep patients on track. And in doing so, you’ll be freeing up your in-house team to focus on what matters most: patients.
7 Ways to Improve Patient Recalls Without Adding Staff
1. Automate Initial Patient Reminders
Set up automated reminder systems through your EHR or patient communication platform. These tools can send text messages, emails, or automated calls when a patient is due for an appointment. While automation can’t replace personal outreach, it’s a helpful first step in prompting patients to book.
2. Partner with an Outsourced Recall Service
Outsourcing patient recalls allows your practice to rely on trained experts. These professionals focus only on making those important calls. They’ll follow your scripts and protocols to make calls, send messages, and schedule appointments on your behalf. With their help, recalls happen consistently, even during busy periods.
3. Offer Multiple Contact Options
Not every patient prefers a phone call. Some respond better to text, email, or even portal messages. By offering several ways for patients to confirm or schedule appointments, you increase the chances of reaching them. An outsourced recall team can handle all of these channels, so your staff doesn’t have to manage multiple systems.
4. Segment Patients for Targeted Outreach
Patients with chronic conditions or overdue screenings may need more frequent reminders than others. Segmenting your recall list by priority helps ensure that high-risk patients are contacted first. Outsourced recall services can manage these lists for you, focusing on the patients who need your attention most.
5. Track and Report Recall Success Rates
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Keep track of how many patients respond to recalls, how many book appointments, and how many are still overdue. An outsourced team can provide regular reports, helping you see what’s working and where you can improve.
6. Prioritize High-Risk or Time-Sensitive Cases
Some recalls, such as follow-ups after abnormal test results, should be handled quickly. Having a medical recall partner ensures these cases are addressed without delay. This not only supports patient safety but also strengthens trust in your practice. They’ll see the practice cares about prioritizing their health.
7. Use Outsourcing to Grow Without Hiring More Staff
As your practice grows, the number of patients needing recalls will grow too. Outsourcing makes it possible to expand recall efforts without hiring more people. You won’t have to worry about the cost and time commitment of recruiting, hiring, and training.
Keeping Patients on Track Without Overloading Staff
Improving patient recalls is about consistency. The more regularly patients hear from your practice, the more likely they are to return for care. By combining automation with outsourced recall support, you can maintain that consistency. Plus, you’ll free up your team to focus on in-office patient needs.
Oclinicals offers professional recall services that help practices reduce overdue appointments and improve patient care. Our team contacts patients on your behalf, schedules visits, and provides detailed reporting. You’ll get access to experts without the headache of hiring more staff.
Contact us today to learn about our patient recall services.