Think about how easy it is to book a flight, order groceries, or schedule a rideshare from your phone. Now, think about scheduling a doctor’s appointment. Those two experiences are worlds apart- and that’s the problem. In a time when convenience is essential, patients want their healthcare to be as simple and easy as other parts of their lives.
This is where the healthcare's digital front door steps in. This digital engagement strategy helps patients easily access and interact with health systems. It supports them throughout their care journey in convenient ways for both patients and healthcare providers.
Let’s break it down:
What Is a Digital Front Door?
A digital front door offers an enhanced digital experience for patients to engage and participate actively in their healthcare journey. Here, they can find and book appointments, communicate with their healthcare provider, view diagnostic results, and utilize a range of resources that assist them in taking a forward-thinking approach to their healthcare management.
It combines various systems and features, such as EHRs and external third-party applications, into a single, easy-to-use patient experience.
Why Does It Matter?
Here’s the thing: patients expect more - and if you’re not delivering, they’ll go elsewhere. A strong digital front door isn’t just a “nice-to-have”; it’s critical for standing out in a crowded healthcare landscape. Here’s why:
- Patients want it to be easy to access their pathway to care - That starts with registering an account in your health system's EHR. Believe it or not, many EHRs have unnecessary roadblocks in this key step, causing patients to immediately go elsewhere or take annoying steps to call to do this, causing more administrative burden and frustrated patients simply trying to schedule care.
- Patients Want Preference and Convenience - They want a seamless way to find and schedule care that fits their needs quickly and on their terms. Whether through a mobile or web app, they want the flexibility to choose the time and platform that works best for them.
- It Saves Time (and Money) - Simplifying workflows means shorter wait times, fewer phone calls, and less admin work for your staff.
- It Builds Loyalty - Patients are more likely to stick with a health system that makes their lives easier.
Why EHRs Alone Aren’t Enough
EHRs are like the backstage crew of healthcare. They handle the records, the data, and the behind-the-scenes logistics. However, they don't shine in the spotlight of patient engagement - especially not at scale.
Sure, some EHRs let patients message their doctor or view test results, but that’s just scratching the surface. Patients today want more than access—they want action. And that’s where EHRs fall short:
- Communication is Limited: EHR messaging often feels clunky, like email, and doesn’t support real-time, fluid conversations.
- Processes are Burdensome: From multiple logins to confusing workflows, accessing care through EHRs can frustrate patients and lead to drop-offs.
- Engagement is Minimal: Aside from the occasional record check, EHRs do not help patients stay involved in their care.
Why This Matters
Modern patients expect the same convenience and personalization in healthcare that they experience with retail or travel apps. Without addressing these gaps, health systems risk losing patient loyalty and increasing administrative burdens.
What Makes a Great Digital Front Door?
Let’s get real - patients don’t care about buzzwords. They care about experiences that make their lives easier. A great digital front door solves the problems patients face with outdated EHR systems by offering:
- Frictionless Registration: No outdated credit-check questions or clunky processes. Patients can register in minutes, ensuring they stick with your health system instead of giving up.
- Seamless Scheduling: Allow patients to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments with a few taps—no phone calls required.
- Secure Messaging: Enable patients to message providers, billing teams, or support staff for quick resolutions.
- Instant Access to Records: Patients can access their lab results, medications, and past visits 24/7, empowering them to stay informed.
- Personalized Care Experiences: Send tailored reminders for checkups, wellness visits, and chronic care management, as well as educational tips based on their health needs.
- Telehealth Integration: Make care accessible anywhere with secure virtual visit options.
- Scalable Innovation: The ability to easily integrate third-party tools and enhanced EHR features to elevate the patient experience without competing with other solutions.
Why This Matters
A great digital front door creates a seamless, intuitive, and personalized patient experience, giving your health system a competitive advantage.
How Amenities Health Takes It Further
Now that you know what a digital front door is, let’s talk about how Amenities Health takes it to the next level:
- Rapid Registration - With turnkey rapid registration, patients can register an EHR account without duplication in 30 seconds, significantly accelerating their access to care.
- Preference-based provider search and scheduling - Patients can view appointments by next available and proximity while having a consolidated view of same-day/next-day care options.
- Portal Integrations - Health systems can seamlessly integrate the most frequently used EHR features, leveraging a digital front door with the deepest integration capabilities for major EHR platforms.
- Loyalty Memberships - Offer turnkey memberships that patients love while unlocking new revenue opportunities for your health system.
- Fast Deployment: Go live in weeks, not months.
- Minimal IT Hassle: We handle 80–95% of the implementation work, so your team can focus on other priorities.
- Proven Results: Our clients see a 50% increase in appointments and a 3X ROI.
The Bottom Line
Patients want health systems to provide a digital experience that’s convenient, intuitive, and tailored to their needs. A digital front door isn’t just about keeping up with the competition - it’s about setting a new standard for what healthcare should be.
Ready to open the door to a better digital patient experience? Schedule a demo with Amenities Health today.