Outpatient regulation system in health management: economic benefits of technological innovations

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the economic benefits of managing an outpatient appointments system with technological innovations. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative methodological procedures aiming to evaluate the cost-benefit relation and also the payback of the management and operation of an outpatient appointments system with technological innovations. Findings This study found a great benefit-cost relation of 30.6 showing the great economic value and social impact of managing an outpatient appointments regulation system with technological innovations. Research limitations/implications This study presents contribution to the literature discussion about the economic evaluation of the benefits of managing and operating more effective outpatient appointments systems because of important technological innovations. Practical implications This paper presents and discusses the most important and commonly used strategies and technological innovations to deal with and to manage an outpatient appointment regulation system aiming to reduce the patient no-show rates. Social implications The findings of this study show a great benefit-cost relation of about 30.6 which is being reverted to the society. Originality/value There not exist many similar studies in the pertinent literature, mostly with the Brazilian contexts.