7 Smart Ways to use QR Codes in Doctors Offices
Key Takeaways
- Doctors offices can make clever use of QR codes to save time for both staff and patients
- Patients can book appointments, check in, and leave reviews for offices all from QR codes
- QR codes are easy to make and widely understood by the general public
Medical professionals, like doctors, nurses, and other crucial members of staff, are some of the most respected and well regarded figures in modern society, but even they can struggle to run an office day to day. Ask any healthcare professional and they’ll tell you about the issues they can have regarding booking, advertising, and communicating crucial information to patients.
Luckily, clever use of QR codes can alleviate some of the pain and struggles doctors face that aren’t emergency based. In this piece I will go over just that, 7 smart ways doctors and healthcare professionals can use QR codes in their practices!
So let’s get the appointment started!
What is a QR code?
A QR code is a type of encoded image that can be scanned by a smart device, like a phone or a tablet, in order to access a variety of online and digital content as well as conduct some basic services. This can include viewing websites, getting contact information, signing into WiFi networks, and more.
QR codes are easy to make, trackable, highly customizable, and can be attached to just about anything that can display a simple 2D image, like a receipt, sticker, or sign. Codes can even be scanned and displayed in on-screen media like commercials, digital advertisements, and online videos.
How can doctors offices use QR codes?
Official website
QR codes that link to URL addresses are some of the most common, and extremely beneficial to doctors offices. A QR code linking to your official website placed on something like a flyer, card, or other advertisement, can allow prospective patients to get to know more about you and your practice before deciding if you’re the right fit for them.
Contact information
Whether it be for the purpose of networking with other doctors and healthcare professionals or simply to allow patients to contact you or your staff with any questions they may have about their care, a QR code providing contact information would be wise to create.
Codes can be made specifically for things like email addresses, phone numbers, SMS texting, and other forms of contact through various social media services.
Booking and check in
As stated above, the entire booking and check in process for patients can be done via QR code. Patients can easily sign up for an appointment time by scanning a code on a flyer or other advertisement, and then check in with a code in the waiting room or provided by staff.
This will save them much of the frustration involved in the check in process while also freeing up staff to attend to other duties.
WiFi
Public WiFi is essential for pretty much any business in the modern age, but especially so for doctors offices. Not only does staff need connectivity to do things like send out prescriptions or contact other medical professionals, but patients also like having internet access in the waiting room to help them pass the time.
It's possible to set up a QR code that allows both staff and patients to easily sign into a WiFi network all without having to ask for or enter a password.
Medical information
There’s only so much space for important medical information on something like a pill bottle or a pamphlet, and patients often want the most information they can get regarding their care.
Luckily, a QR code linking to a website, document, or video, can be easily created and provided to patients who desire such information.
Payment
One of the fastest growing uses for QR codes is as a method to exchange funds between both individuals and businesses. This allows patients to pay for their care all without having to pull out a bank card or fumble with cash. All they have to do is scan a code with their own devices, and they’ll be taken to the payment service of their choice.
Reviews
Reviews and patient feedback are especially important for doctors offices. Patients will often check reviews for a new office before deciding to place their healthcare in their hands.
Direct links to these review pages can be provided by doctors offices to patients on something like a receipt or flyer as they leave their appointment. This lets them share their experiences with others and allows you to potentially get more patients, or to see what you’re doing right and wrong.
Benefits of using QR codes in doctors offices
Ease of use
QR codes are both easy to use and easy to make through something like QR Code Developer. Just about every smart phone on the market has a QR code scanner built right in. All you need to do is point the camera at the code and tap the link when it pops up.
QR codes can also be scanned from almost any angle and even when visible damage has been done to the code.
Widely understood
By now, most people with smart phones are at least familiar with QR codes and know how to use them. In many regions, QR code payment is more popular than cash or cards.
Customizable
QR codes can be heavily customized, with unique colors and appearances to fit your needs or branding.
Hands free communication
The usage of QR codes surged during the COVID 19 pandemic since it allowed for people to communicate with each other, access content, and share resources, all without needing to touch each other or even be in the same space.
Trackable
If you use something like QR Code Developer to make your codes, then it’s possible to monitor how your codes are used. This can include information like how many scans your code got, where they were scanned, and even on what device they were scanned.
Monitoring code usage
With the tools available on QR Code developer, as well as other code generators, you can monitor the usage of any code you create. This can include how many times a code has been scanned, where it has been scanned, on what device, using what browser, and more. With these tools, you can figure out which codes are reaching the most people and where to focus any advertising efforts.
With QR Code developer you can monitor
• Number of scans
• Number of scans by operating system
• Scans by browser
• Scans by country
• Scans by city
• Scans by language
• Unique scans
General tips
Know your audience: If you’re certain that most of your intended audience doesn’t know how to use QR codes or just don’t like them, then don’t use them.
Keep instructions clear: Provide clear instructions on how to use and scan QR codes as well as where the codes will redirect to.
Place codes on a flat surface: To make sure that codes are still scannable, only put them on flat surfaces, like walls, tables, posters, or fliers.
Use high contrast: If using custom colors on a code, make sure that the colors are distinct enough from each other to be read as a QR code.
Make sure codes are visible: Don’t place codes where patrons are unlikely to see them.
Only use codes when necessary: If an alternative exists that’s easier for all parties involved, use that.
Test on multiple devices: Make sure your codes work whether scanned on an Android device, iPhone, tablet, or other device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to hire someone to make my QR codes?
A: No. QR codes can be made by yourself for free through a service like QR Code Developer.
Q: Do I need to download anything to scan QR codes?
A: While QR scanner apps are available for mobile devices, they are not necessary. Most modern smart devices are perfectly capable of scanning codes right from the built-in camera app.
Q: What devices can scan QR codes?
A: Most modern smart devices with both a built-in camera and an internet connection can scan QR codes and access the content within. This includes smart phones, tablets, and even some handheld gaming consoles.
Q: Are QR codes safe?
A: While there are some risks in using QR codes, they are relatively safe.
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