Online appointment begins at Hepatology Dept

The Department of Hepatology at PGIMER, Chandigarh, has launched an innovative ‘Online Appointment’ service to streamline the follow-up process for patients attending its Liver Clinic. The initiative aims to alleviate long waiting times and enhance the overall patient experience.

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The inaugural session witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 500 patients as well as valuable insights from Prof Ajay Duseja, Head, Department of Hepatology. He said,"The service is a game changer for our patients. It empowers them to manage their appointments proactively. By piloting this service for 30 patients in each Liver Clinic, we are setting a foundation for expansion."

For years, the Liver Clinic has serviced approximately 1,000 patients weekly, primarily those suffering from Chronic Liver Disease (CLD), many of whom have been dependent on traditional walk-in registrations. The long queues and uncertainty regarding daily patient volume have posed challenges for both patients and medical staff. To address these concerns, the Department of Hepatology has repurposed two dedicated rooms within the clinic — one for scheduling ‘Online Appointments’ and the other for prioritising follow-up examinations. Notably, patients will now receive assistance from dedicated staff equipped with laptops to facilitate smooth and efficient scheduling.

Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director Administration, PGIMER, said: “Our goal is to link this service with Common Service Centres (CSCs), like e Sampark , Lok Mitra Kendras etc. in adjoining states to assist non-tech-savvy patients. We want to make this facility accessible to everyone, irrespective of their technological proficiency.”

Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, said, “This new online system is a step forward in patient care, enabling us to provide timely consultations and reducing the pressure on our outpatient department. We are committed to improving healthcare access for all our patients.”