#Japan #Tokyo #Health Check #AI Phone #Dr.JOY

The Future of Health Check Appointments with Dr.JOY's AI Phone

In a significant advancement in healthcare technology, Dr.JOY Inc., based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, has unveiled an innovative feature for their AI phone service specifically designed for hospitals. This new feature involves a dedicated “Health Check-Up Scheduling Scenario,” aimed at improving the booking process during peak health assessment seasons.

The need for enhanced communication during health check-ups arises often due to the complexity involved. Patients typically have numerous inquiries regarding their health insurance, necessary documentation, accompanying instructions for diet and medication, which leads to extended call durations. There’s also the challenge of phone lines being overwhelmed right after company-sponsored health check announcements or during evening hours, resulting in busy signals and repeated call attempts. Dr.JOY’s AI phone addresses this issue by providing 24/7 access with simultaneous multi-line capabilities, efficiently handling initial inquiries and gathering relevant information. The automation of this preliminary process—encompassing information collection, validation, organization, and presenting available time slots—ensures that eventual confirmations are carried out by human staff members, maximizing both operational safety and patient convenience.

The Challenge: Overcoming Communication Barriers

The complexities surrounding the booking of health assessments make it a daunting task for both organizers and patients. Many individuals still rely on traditional methods such as phone calls or in-person visits, with only 40.3% of healthcare facilities having adopted automated booking systems, as reported by Yano Economic Research Institute in their 2022 survey. This has led to instances where patients unable to connect via phone end up postponing appointments, causing healthcare facilities to miss out on potential bookings.

The Solution: A Divided Approach for Enhanced Efficiency

The AI's new scheduling scenario revolutionizes how initial patient inquiries are managed. It engages in natural conversation to collect necessary details such as insurance registration, co-pay, and additional instructions, simultaneously summarizing this information for seamless handover to human operators. Confirmation messages can also be communicated via SMS the day before appointments, reducing any last-minute uncertainties. This division of labor—AI managing basic dialogue and human staff addressing complex inquiries—results in consistent availability and a decrease in the likelihood of lost booking opportunities.

Key Features of the New Scheduling Scenario

24/7 Operations with Multi-Line Capabilities: Reduces busy signals during peak hours.
Comprehensive Voice Data Gathering: Collects and organizes patient information effectively.
Selection Made Easier: Automated options at the number prefixes allow for simple input via phone buttons.
Confirmation via SMS: Pre-appointment reminders are sent via text, streamlining patient understanding of what to expect on the day of their health check.

Real-World Success Stories

Case 1: Kurashiki Central Hospital

Feedback from Health Coordination Manager, Fukuda: “Our AI system has efficiently handled calls that previously went unanswered, allowing us to maintain our workflow without any increase in workload.”
Results: Appointment rates up by 1.2x and call duration reduced from approximately 10 to just 3-5 minutes.

Case 2: East Medical Clinic

Commentary from Administrative Director, Hasegawa: “Previously, we could only take calls during operating hours. Now, patients can book, cancel, or change their appointments at their convenience, maximizing our available slots.”
Results: 1,090 more appointments booked, reflecting a 130% increase compared to May the previous year. Call times decreased from 15 minutes to just 5 minutes.

Case 3: Kan-Etsu Hospital

Insights from Chief of Health Center Takahashi: “We initiated a human dock reception with the AI phone, greatly improving patient communication and facilitating additional service offerings.”
Results: 1.4x increase in bookings, while easing the burden on staff.

Why This Change is Timely

The months of October and November mark peak periods for health screenings, bringing heightened visibility to operational bottlenecks and a strong need for efficient solutions. During this time, health awareness events, such as Medical Week and World Diabetes Day, foster a collective understanding of health's importance, enhancing agreement on solutions within healthcare facilities. By optimizing operations now, healthcare centers can ensure a smoother booking experience in the upcoming spring months.

Dr.JOY is committed to alleviating the workload of healthcare professionals and enhancing medical services through innovative solutions that cater to real-world challenges.

Company Overview

Name: Dr.JOY Inc.
Location: 2-6-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 17th Floor Toranomon Hills Station Tower
Established: November 2013
Business Focus: Software development and operations within the medical field, providing healthcare and pharmaceutical information to institutions.
Official Website: Dr.JOY