In 2003, the world changed forever. No, not because of the completion of the Human Genome Project. McDonald’s began taking credit card payments (link). It seems almost unreal that there was a time that you could ONLY pay for a Big Mac with cash. Now customers expect to order and pay on an app and have it delivered to their home (presumably by Ronald McDonald himself).
The drivers of this payment ‘revolution’ include consumer demand for convenience and credit card points as well as a ~9 second to 5 second improvement in payment processing time. When you sell millions of burgers per day – that’s significant!
With consumer expectations shifted due to the pandemic, convenience and efficiency continue to be significant reasons to change and grow for pharmacies. As pharmacies deliver the COVID-19 vaccine it is imperative to give consumers what they want (convenience) and ensure the business can do the work right (efficiency). Using a clinically integrated bookings solution achieves both these goals and there are lessons from the McDonald's example.
Clinically integrated online pharmacy bookings - winning by giving customers the convenience they want
There are big advantages:
- Consumers enter their own information online
- This saves time for pharmacists/pharmacy staff instore
- Consumers complete clinical tasks like the Pre-vaccination checklist before coming in
- This saves time for pharmacists at the vaccination appointment and empowers early intervention if there is a contraindication to vaccination
- Consumers can manage their own rescheduling/cancellation
- This saves time and effort managing a calendar instore, empowering consumers to view and select their most convenient times
This is what a simple customer/pharmacy journey looks like using a clinically integrated bookings solution:
A simple customer/pharmacy journey
The question often asked by Pharmacy owners is – “I love it, how do I distribute the URL to my customers?”. There are a few mechanisms. Firstly, MedAdvisor Solutions Plus One has a “bulk messaging” feature – where sms, email and app messages can be sent out. The most impactful way owners have found is by putting the link on their websites.
Every pharmacy with a full MedAdvisor Solutions subscription can create their own bookings URL (web address). This can be distributed to their consumers. It looks like this on a consumer’s web browser or mobile phone:
MedAdvisor Solutions Subscribers have a unique bookings URL
The customer bookings turn up in the Plus One calendar where the pharmacist simply clicks “Start Service” and the completed Pre-Vaccination Screening Checklist is displayed. Instead of having to read through all the questions – it is a matter of discussing those indicated meaning it’s a more effective clinical interaction with the patient.
As Christie McLennan, owner of Taroom Pharmacy states 'Working with MedAdvisor Web Solutions to recreate our website was an easy and efficient process. They know pharmacy and what a good website should deliver to your business and patients. The process was much easier than I expected and the team step you through every step of the way. Online bookings will make us more efficient in store and provide patients with flexible options to change and cancel.'
Simple, Easy, Impactful....DONE!
If you are serious about reducing workload on staff, increasing customer satisfaction and are committed to growth – a website + an integrated bookings solution is not 'a little bit fancy”, it’s a must. The alternate solution is akin to only selling burgers by cash – something not even a clown would do.
Contact MedAdvisor Web Solutions today if it’s time to grow your pharmacy business by simply completing the form below.
Between MedAdvisor Solutions and MedAdvisor Web Solutions – there’s a solution that is working well for customers and pharmacies.
Convenience (e.g. a painless experience) is a highly sought-after value proposition. It’s hard to argue that relying on a paper/phone-based system is painless for consumers, let alone staff. With the solution 'ready to go' - any pharmacy can plug this in and go, as seen with Taroom Pharmacy.
Finally, when we step back and look at the big picture, there are many pathways to exploit using this system. Even social media has a role to play so if you already have a Facebook page with followers - you can leverage off that to drive customers to your website to 'Book Now'. The website functions as the consistent 'home on the internet' whilst social media is used as the advertising tactic. Google Search and Google Ads can also be used like this. There's 'no wrong door' - that's the added beauty.
It's all about a painless experience for all
Our team will help you with personal attention. Shoot through your details on the form. You can even request Free Digital Coaching.
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