Poll: 49% of practices changed processes to reduce patient wait times in the last year

Reducing patient wait times has been a recent focus for most medical practices, according to a Medical Group Management Association Stat poll.

The March 27 poll asked approximately 1,100 medical practices if they have changed processes to reduce patient wait times in the last year. Nearly half of respondents (49 percent) said "yes" and 27 percent said "no." Another 22 percent said they were "working on it" and 2 percent weren't sure.

In an article related to the findings, the MGMA said many respondents who said "no" indicated wait times were "already optimized in previous years," and a majority of respondents who said "yes" cited technology utilization, such as "tablets for check-in," as part of their efforts.