We have been using UpDox scheduling, live, for about 10 days. With two way sync: A/C->U/D and U/D->A/C. Works smashingly, so far. (Normally seems to take less than a minute for changes to sync back and forth.)
You can set a limited schedule for each provider in U/D, to limit patients to self-scheduling in specific parts of the day/week. (We aren't picky so we just matched the whole week to our A/C appointments.) Otherwise, the system automatically blocks out timeslots that are taken, so patients can't double book you.
You can update the appointment types to reflect something more descriptive to patients (e.g. "IUD Placement" rather than "IUD PL/REP". They will still map back to your A/C types.
We have set U/D so we have to manually confirm appointments. A staff member monitors the U/D inbox, evaluates appointment requests, and marks them "Confirmed" unless there is a problem.
Agree with Wayne that removal of confirmation emails is a shame. When we started up scheduling, it sent confirmation emails to all patients with existing appointments, asking them to confirm the appointment. It was a pain, but it got a boatload of patients to actually start using the portal (including making payments, changing appointments, etc.) Also got a number of "Please cancel, I've moved out of state."
Also agree with Wayne on the problem with special blocked out times. But seems that's an A/C problem, which doesn't allow blocking time out of a schedule other than editing the schedule (which is restricted to Administrators and thus leaves it to me to have to block out hair appointments, interviews, etc. - - which is why we just have the provider as a patient and schedule an appointment for themself with themself to block out time). Normally blocked out times (like regular lunches) are accomplished in U/D by creating two schedules for each day (one before lunch, one after).
Best part of the U/D scheduling system is the automatic reminder emails. We set ours to go out 1 week, 48 hours and 12 hours before the appointment.
Worst part is that patients seeking to change an appointment only have one choice: cancel the existing appointment and enter a new appointment. Worried this may tempt some timid patients to just cancel their annual exams.
ALSO...we started using their demographics forms that link with A/C. Only problem here is we also use Phreesia in the office, and Phreesia requires weird designations for insurers that patients often don't recognize as their own insurance. Staff had just learned to translate into Phressiaese - - gotta work with Phreesia on solving that.)
All in all - anything that reduces the phone calls/phone tag is a blessing!
