Digital Surgery Hours: Possibilities and Opportunities for Your Practice

Anyone running their own practice today needs more than just traditional advertising and word-of-mouth. The demand for flexible, digital services like the Digital Consultation is constantly increasing, as more and more people value quick, straightforward, and accessible healthcare. But what does this mean for your practice specifically? And how can you achieve sustainable marketing around the Digital Consultation?

What is a digital consultation hour and who uses it?

The digital consultation refers to medical advice, diagnosis or therapy that takes place via video chat, telephone or app – and therefore also when the patient and doctor are not in the same room. This service is particularly popular with people with limited mobility, with working professionals, families and seniors who want to avoid long journeys. However, young, digitally-savvy individuals also appreciate the flexibility of being able to connect spontaneously and save time in this way.

BEST PRACTICE at a client (Name withheld due to NDA): For two years, a rural general practice has been offering a digital consultation service. Patients register via a secure platform and are individually informed by the practice on how the process works. The result: Staff report that many older patients praise the ease of use and regularly use the service, for example, to discuss blood test results or to renew prescriptions. The practice has significantly expanded its reach and now also offers digital nutritional advice and initial psychosomatic consultations – all via video chat.

Successful marketing for the digital surgery

For patients to find out about your digital consultations and build trust, a targeted digital strategy is needed. The following applies: a modern practice website is the flagship. It should clearly communicate which services are available online, how registration works, and what benefits the digital consultation offers [2]. SEO-optimised texts, explanatory videos, and clear landing pages help you to be found easily for search queries such as „online consultation“ or „doctor's appointment via video“.

Social media plays a central role in this. Many practices use Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook to post short tutorials, answer frequently asked questions or share patient testimonials. It is crucial that the content is easy to understand and empathetic – and that the digital consultation is positioned as a genuine service solution.

BEST PRACTICE at a clinic (name withheld due to NDA): A dermatology practice is using regular Instagram Stories in which the practice team explains how a video skin screening works. Patients can book directly via a link to online registration. The practice reports that the number of initial consultations has significantly increased and many young people are using the service to get a mole quickly assessed. The team reviews demand weekly and flexibly adjusts the opening hours of the digital clinic.

Technical requirements and data protection

To ensure the digital consultation runs smoothly, several technical and legal aspects must be considered. The platform must meet high data protection requirements, offer end-to-end encryption, and be certified [7]. Patients must be informed before participation about how their data will be protected and when an in-person appointment is more appropriate.

Many systems can be easily integrated into practice software, allowing appointment scheduling, documentation, and billing to be automated. It is important that the practice team is trained in handling the technology and that patients receive individual support if needed.

BEST PRACTICE from a client (name redacted due to NDA): A dental practice has recently introduced a digital consultation service for toothaches, denture adjustments, and oral hygiene advice. The platform features a digital medical history form that patients fill out before their video call. Staff regularly provide feedback on how the user experience can be improved. The practice digitally documents all interactions and uses the data to continuously optimise the service. Patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive due to short waiting times and targeted advice.

Digital consultation hours as a catalyst for practice development

The digital consultation is more than a modern additional service. It can change the entire practice organisation and open up new target groups. Many clients report that the team works more efficiently with the new processes and that more time remains for actual consultations. At the same time, patient satisfaction is growing because flexibility and service are paramount.

For many practices, it makes sense to approach the introduction of digital consultations as a project and to provide targeted support. This is where iROI-Coaching comes in: together, we analyse your current situation, develop an individual digital strategy, and support you in its implementation – from selecting the right platform and training your team to targeted public relations.

My analysis

The digital surgery is a key component of modern healthcare today. It opens up new opportunities to reach patients, improve health communication, and make practices future-proof. Those who professionally introduce and communicate the digital surgery can differentiate themselves from other providers and build a strong connection with patients. Experience shows that with a clear strategy, empathetic support, and the right technology, you can successfully enter the digital world – and thus achieve sustainable success for your practice.