We are excited our app is garnering such attention and recognition. Here are two articles posted today from OC Register online and The Medical Quack. The app is available in the iTunes store.
Health provider’s app connects with patients
Dr. Gregg DeNicola, medical director of the locally owned Caduceus Medical Group, has heard all of the complaints from other physicians about the supposed pitfalls of more doctor-patient interaction online. And he dismisses each and every one of them.
Caduceus, which offers primary, pediatric and OB/GYN care at four locations in Yorba Linda and one in Laguna Beach, this year launched an iPhone application, which is also supported by the new iPad (although at a lower resolution once it’s blown up to 2x size; a “universal” app is on the way, as well as one for non-Apple smartphones). Caduceus spokeswoman Melissa Christian says Caduceus is the only private medical group in the country to have created an iPhone app.
“We know our patients want immediate access,” said DeNicola, himself an avid iPhone user. He notes that the hours at the main Yorba Linda practice are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., “but there’s still 12 hours after that.”
Studies have shown that the general public usually is ahead of doctors as far as wanting an electronic relationship with their physicians. A 2004 study showed that patient satisfaction soared when subjects were able to e-mail a doctor’s office and get a quick response.
The Caduceus app can be used to access the company’s “online concierge,” in which patients can request an appointment slot, pay a bill, fill a prescription and get a basic question answered by a doctor, usually within an hour. The app has specific features like driving directions, phone links to different offices, info about staff (that’s physician’s assistant Xandi Craig pictured) and a health “tip of the day.” Anyone can download the app, even if they’re not a patient.
DeNicola said other doctors have shown trepidation about such advances, because a) it might soak up more of their time and take away from patient care; b) if patients can get questions answered online they might not want to make an appointment, reducing revenue; and c) the legal liability could increase if a doctor gives a hasty, incorrect answer.
But DeNicola said giving patients portable access at all hours reduces staff time and resources, as well as increases office visits, because patients become more comfortable and satisfied with the practice. And if the doctor, in turn, has access to patient data on the go or at home (if they’re on call), particularly when this information becomes more widespread with the coming switch to electronic medical records, it could make answers more informed, reducing liability.
DeNicola says people who like the service the most are older patients. “The people who really thank us are the 60- to 65-year-olds,” he said.
Source: http://healthyliving.freedomblogging.com
Orange County Concierge Doctor Practice Creates an Iphone Application – 60-65 Year Old Patients Really Like Their Online Concierge Services
This is one way a boutique or concierge practice is not only potentially increasing business, but making it easier for the patients to interact. The article brings up 
an important point I feel, one that I make all the time:
Computers work 24/7 – We don’t as we are human and still need sleep.
This is important as access to setting an appointment is not restricted to having to connect only ”during office hours”. The practice also has a list of what they charge for “cash” patients on their site and you can also make a “mouse call”. I like that little bit of terminology myself.
One other smart move here too is they accept “Pay Pal”, pay attention here, this is a good thing. They are local here to Orange County and perhaps I’ll be able to find out more about the IPhone application. Anyone can download even if they are not a patient.
http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com
