%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 19
%N 4
%P e134
%T Web-Based Medical Appointment Systems: A Systematic Review
%A Zhao,Peng
%A Yoo,Illhoi
%A Lavoie,Jaie
%A Lavoie,Beau James
%A Simoes,Eduardo
%+ Department of Health Management and Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Clinical Support and Education Building (DC006.00), Five Hospital Dr, Columbia, MO, 65212, United States, 1 5738827642, yooil@health.missouri.edu
%K appointments and schedules
%K Internet
%K smartphone
%K patient-centered care
%K no-show patients
%K hospital information systems
%D 2017
%7 26.04.2017
%9 Original Paper
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X Background: Health care is changing with a new emphasis on patient-centeredness. Fundamental to this transformation is the increasing recognition of patients' role in health care delivery and design. Medical appointment scheduling, as the starting point of most non-urgent health care services, is undergoing major developments to support active involvement of patients. By using the Internet as a medium, patients are given more freedom in decision making about their preferences for the appointments and have improved access. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the benefits and barriers to implement Web-based medical scheduling discussed in the literature as well as the unmet needs under the current health care environment. Methods: In February 2017, MEDLINE was searched through PubMed to identify articles relating to the impacts of Web-based appointment scheduling. Results: A total of 36 articles discussing 21 Web-based appointment systems were selected for this review. Most of the practices have positive changes in some metrics after adopting Web-based scheduling, such as reduced no-show rate, decreased staff labor, decreased waiting time, and improved satisfaction, and so on. Cost, flexibility, safety, and integrity are major reasons discouraging providers from switching to Web-based scheduling. Patients’ reluctance to adopt Web-based appointment scheduling is mainly influenced by their past experiences using computers and the Internet as well as their communication preferences. Conclusions: Overall, the literature suggests a growing trend for the adoption of Web-based appointment systems. The findings of this review suggest that there are benefits to a variety of patient outcomes from Web-based scheduling interventions with the need for further studies. 
%M 28446422
%R 10.2196/jmir.6747
%U http://www.jmir.org/2017/4/e134/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6747
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28446422