Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) has announced the launch of an instant online appointment system to help improve the estimated no-show rate of 37 percent in the UAE, well above the global average.
The new system has been revealed as missed appointments are shown to lower efficiencies in the healthcare system, preventing patients from getting timely access to care, and wasting valuable clinical resources including physicians’ time.
DHCC said its instant online appointment system contributes to the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who, in his Fifty-Year Charter, mandates transformation of the UAE’s medical system and access to medical consultations 24/7.
It can be accessed via www.dhcc.ae, and shows real-time DHCC physicians’ availability. A patient, including a medical tourist, can now search for a DHCC physician by specialty, insurance, and even language spoken, to book an appointment.
Once they book, the patient will receive text messages and email reminders, and if required, they can cancel or reschedule instantly.
The system, which facilitates instant online appointments in less than 40 seconds with select hospitals and clinics in the free zone, has been introduced in partnership with healthtech start-up Okadoc.com.
Omar Oumeish, executive director of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, said: “We recognize the importance of improving patient care and patient experience, and understand the concerns shared by our providers in the free zone who have to deal with inefficiencies and lost revenue due to no-shows.
“We are excited about introducing a technology solution that will give our patients a trusted easy-to-access tool to manage their healthcare better, and our providers, another approach to tackling no-shows,” he added.
Fodhil Benturquia, CEO and founder of Okadoc.com, said hospitals and clinics in the UAE face a 37 percent no-show rate, with 50 percent of patients forgetting appointments and 40 percent being unable to call in time to cancel.
He added: “We are joining hands to improve the healthcare experience for all, and help the UAE become the country with the highest per capita number of instantly bookable doctors in the world.”
Initially, the system includes specialists from DHCC-based Emirates Specialty Hospital, eye consultants, and digestive health and endoscopy consultants with plans to add most of its clinical partners by 2021.
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