GMC's Digital OPD System Sees 7,000 Online Bookings, Yet Crowds Linger in High-Traffic Departments
Since its launch on February 4, the online appointment system for outpatient departments (OPDs) at Goa Medical College (GMC) has garnered approximately 7,000 bookings. However, despite this digital push, certain busy departments, particularly general medicine, continue to experience significant crowding, with patients queuing up and enduring long waits to consult doctors.
High Patient Volume and Registration Hurdles Drive Crowding
GMC officials attribute the persistent crowds to the immense daily patient load in key departments. For instance, general medicine alone sees between 300 to 350 patients each day, overwhelming the system. Additionally, a critical bottleneck arises from the requirement that all patients, including those with online appointments, must complete in-person registration at counters starting at 8 AM. This policy leads to morning clustering and congestion, undermining the efficiency gains intended by the online booking system.
Dr. Dhaval A. Faterpenkar, nodal officer for IT and E-governance at GMC, explained, "Doctors attend to each patient individually, and quality consultations take time, especially in complex cases. This natural pace, combined with high volumes, contributes to the queues."
Behavioral Adaptation and Digital Awareness Gaps Pose Challenges
The transition to online appointments is still in its early stages, requiring time for behavioral adaptation among patients. Dr. Faterpenkar highlighted that a significant number of patients still prefer direct walk-in visits without prior booking. He noted, "There is also a digital awareness gap, and not all patients are yet aware of or comfortable with using online booking platforms." This reluctance and lack of familiarity further exacerbate crowding, as many bypass the digital system altogether.
Benefits of Online Booking for Patients and Hospital Management
Despite the challenges, the online appointment system offers notable advantages. Patients can select from three available time slots and are required to arrive only 30 minutes before their appointment, which reduces waiting times and helps mitigate overcrowding. For GMC, the benefits are multifaceted:
- Better distribution of OPD patient loads
- Structured and predictable patient inflow
- Reduction in manual errors and enhanced transparency in record-keeping
- Decreased dependency on telephone lines for appointments
- Improved planning for manpower and consultation slot allocation
Dr. Faterpenkar emphasized that these improvements are part of a broader effort to streamline healthcare delivery, but acknowledged that full integration will take time as both staff and patients adjust to the new digital workflows.
