We have come across many valuable discussions in our previous articles. However, today we will discuss something more important to different kinds of patients across the country. They will learn many things about the methods of channeling doctors in Sri Lanka and the easiest ways through innovative platforms.

What is meant by channeling doctors?

Channeling is a mode for patients to book a pre-paid appointment with doctors. Patients can book the doctors by paying them to the Consultants who work via Channeling. Patients who don’t want to stay in queues or waiting rooms can go for this option for a few over the decades. But in the beginning, it was not much comfortable because communication was not developed like now. When it comes to channeling doctors in Sri Lanka, it further describes some more challenging times throughout history. But now the situation is different. However, there is a concern about whether it is effective in Sri Lanka. Before discussing and exploring the effectiveness, let’s understand how the system works here.

Different ways of channeling doctors in Sri Lanka.

When you need the best physician or medical professional in minutes, the Sri Lankan healthcare system offers you several methods to do this. Government hospitals don’t offer an appointment method or scheduling system still, so patients should stay in queues whenever they need to see a doctor in government hospitals. Most Sri Lankans satisfy their healthcare requirements from there due to poverty, and sometimes they may think government hospitals are more liable. For another one, it can be just a myth.

Somehow, people can schedule the same doctors in government hospitals at their private clinics or at islandwide private hospitals. Normally, the process is operated through a telephone system. Let’s see how it works.

Booking doctors over the phone

When a patient needs to see a consultant at “X’ hospital in Sri Lanka, he or she should call the hospital and ask for a time to meet the relevant doctor for the illness. The telephone operator or the receptionist checks the doctor’s availability, time, and several already listed appointments. If the patients have already booked the doctor (If he can see “n” number of patients per hour, then he can see only “2n” patients within 2 hours of working at the hospital), the person has to look for another hospital or another day at the same hospital. If the doctor had more empty appointments, the receptionist could allot it for the caller.

Once the patient has booked an appointment, he will obtain a number, and he should come to the hospital and wait in the queue till his number arrives. 

Booking doctors via the websites

Apart from calling and making appointments, some private hospitals and clinics have booking systems via their websites and mobile applications. This might be the first innovative platform launched for channeling doctors in Sri Lanka. By visiting the hospital’s website, patients can see the empty slots of the relevant doctor and make their appointments. Then they have to visit the doctor when booked over the phone.

Patient Walk-ins 

Also, patients can walk into the hospital and make appointments via the channeling counter. 

The Franchise Model 

This model is offered by hospitals that are usually far from cities and towns. Hence, they connect with local pharmacies to make appointments and provide pre-printed stationery on behalf of the hospitals. Franchisees charge a premium to hospitals as a commission.

Urgent Appointments

Sometimes, the doctor can extend his slot availability and take urgent appointments. Some providers may charge a premium against such consultations.

After referring to these, you can understand there might be several disadvantages to these usual methods. In a separate blog, let’s discuss the pros and cons of standard doctor scheduling methods. Keep in touch with us. And also, the process is always inconvenient if the doctor cannot come after making appointments, etc. Apart from the inconvenience, these things don’t match the next generation when compared to the world and the 21st century. So, how can we make implement this?

How to improve this usual culture of channeling doctors in Sri Lanka?

Implementing an innovative telemedicine platform focusing on scheduling doctors online and having meetings between doctors and patients through the application can solve the problem to an unbelievable level. Also, the platform should be user-friendly and easy to manipulate. If the system bn is widely spread throughout the island, it will be more effective since many patients in Sri Lanka will have benefits. So, it will be an efficient service to the Sri Lankan patients. You can read our previous blog by clicking here, which explains the benefits of telemedicine to Sri Lanka.

Deedmed has focused on innovating such a platform inside Sri Lanka to offer islandwide patients an efficient healthcare facility than habitual methods. We will always be with you!