A New Era of AI-Driven Appointment Scheduling in Healthcare
Healthcare systems are embracing the power of conversational artificial intelligence to streamline the appointment scheduling process for patients. Epic, a leading healthcare technology company, has introduced a new AI tool that allows patients to schedule appointments through text messages, making the process quick and convenient.
How It Works
With Epic’s AI agent, patients can initiate a conversation via SMS in just 20 seconds to schedule a follow-up appointment. The AI agent prompts the patient to confirm their interest in scheduling an appointment and then provides available options. For example, a message might read, “Kara, we are reaching out to you to help you book your follow-up consult with a nutritionist. Would you like to schedule this visit now? Reply STOP to opt out.”
If the patient selects an option, the AI agent sends a confirmation message along with a MyChart link for more details about the appointment. Patients can also use the link to check into a video appointment, adding another layer of convenience to the process.
Early Adoption and Future Outlook
Some providers have already started using Epic’s AI scheduling tool, signaling a positive response from both healthcare providers and patients. According to Epic representatives, the company is continuously working to integrate AI agents into various clinical applications to enhance efficiency and improve the overall patient experience.
AI agents are expected to play a significant role in pre-visit preparation by engaging with patients, identifying necessary tasks, scheduling follow-ups, and creating easy-to-read summaries. This proactive approach aims to streamline clinical workflows and reduce friction in health system interactions.
In addition to appointment scheduling, Epic is exploring modalities for multimodal follow-up care, such as post-surgical patient assistant agents. These AI tools are designed to autonomously perform tasks like summarizing information, interacting with patients, and scheduling follow-ups, ultimately enhancing the patient experience and optimizing clinical workflows.
Conclusion
As healthcare technology continues to evolve, AI-driven solutions like Epic’s appointment scheduling tool are revolutionizing how patients engage with healthcare systems. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, health systems can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and deliver a seamless experience for patients.
Andrea Fox is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.
