Transitioning to online booking and improving your digital footprint can introduce new jargon and words that your office might start using (or that NextPatient might mention in calls and emails). This article is to help you learn what these terms mean.
Widget: [wij-it] as it relates to digital technology, is a module on a website that serves as an interface of a device that allows users to access information or perform a function. NextPatient provides a widget to our customers. 1
NextPatient offers a few different kinds of widgets for website booking.
- Schedule widget: Allows for patients to view your available appointments to book with availability focused around their procedure time.
- Provider widget: Allows for patients to view your available providers after they've selected their procedure.
- Urgent Care sign-in widget: The widget specifically designed to help walk-in patients queue at urgent care offices or with similar patient intake policies.
Here are some other jargon, terms and acronyms that might be beneficial to know.
Above the fold: A marketing term that originates from the days when newspaper and print marketing were the primary form of advertisement and was the best real estate for your advertisement or story. Today, it applies to the portion of the website that loads and is visible before having to scroll further down. It is part of best practices to have the most important things in this section of your website.
API: API stands for application programming interface 1 - it is one of the reasons NextPatient is such a beneficial tool because it connects directly into your existing software and allows patients to easily book. The API then transfers the information they enter into your EHR/PM Software
Cloud: The cloud is a term that refers to the storage of data on servers at an off-site location / not at your office. If it isn't stored in the cloud, it is stored locally on a server or hard drive. There are benefits and risks to both options.
EHR: EHR stands for Electronic Health Records. It is essentially synonymous with EMR (electronic medical records). EHRs are programs that are either in the cloud or on a computer in the office that allows for charting and in some cases, medical billing.
Hashtag: # - also known as a pound on your phone - specific to social media, hashtags allow for posts to be categorized and searched depending on where the post resides (on Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
Implementation: is the process that follows your decision to purchase the NextPatient solution to allow for patients to easily book and have their information populate directly into your EHR. The implementation process is different for every practice and is based on size, location and other practice projects or priorities. The typical length of implementation is between one and four weeks.
Interface: The portion of the software that you or your patient uses: on your website or on a tablet in the office to schedule themselves or add themselves to the wait queue.
Mobile: When something is accessed or compatible with cellphones.
Metrics: Data at how something is functioning. NextPatient has a reporting feature to collect metrics on the enabled features are functioning and allow you to continue to find opportunities to improve practice logistics and patient care.
New Patient Acquisition: When the practice gets new patients. NextPatient helps with new patient acquisition by making it easy for new patients to book after they have researched your office. Potential patients also see reviews NextPatient's reputation management solution generates.
Organic growth: Growth, often as it relates to your position in search results and social media rankings, that is generated by user involvement instead of paid positioning. Reputation management and SEO generate improved organic growth.
Permissions: The level of access granted to a user. NextPatient has three permission levels: Admin, manager and staff.
PM: Practice Management, typically a software that a practice is using to manage appointments which often includes the clinical/charting component.
Reputation Management: The active process of prompting clients for online reviews and interacting with customers. Some practices choose to respond to really high or really poor reviews, based on procedure and time.
SEO: SEO stands for search engine optimization - this is how your website(s) are ranked on their search results. With better SEO, practices experience more clicks from existing and potential clients, improved rankings in search and organic growth. This all translates to improved digital visibility.
Two-way text: When text alerts can be replied to by patients and allow for the practice to answer.
Webinar: A video conference setup to allow for people to join on their computer or phone and allow for screenshares to allow for more detailed explanations.