Our impressions on the new Schedule screen
Oct 14, 2020 8:41:28 GMT -6
mitch and decatureye like this
Post by jake on Oct 14, 2020 8:41:28 GMT -6
After messing around with the new schedule screen that came with the most recent updates I have some opinions. Keep in mind that we have been using Crystal since 2015, so we can be set in our ways:
In short I think the updated schedule screen did not work out. Here is what I see:
- The graphics are nice and add a more "polished" look to the screen. In doing so the fonts were enlarged which helps with those that have a problems reading small print. However, in doing so the schedule no longer fits on the whole screen. This means you have to scroll up or down to see other parts of the schedule. We are looking at this screen multiple times during the day, with more than one doctor seeing patients. It is very convenient to have the entire schedule on one screen so we can make a quick assessment. Adding the graphics is a nice touch but loosing the ability for the schedule to fit the screen, makes it not helpful to us.
- The new "make appointment" screen has also been simplified, but in doing so it has lost a lot of its function. I understand that adding certain features to allow for more functionality is the goal. And in doing so, to prevent too much clutter in the window, you are forced to start putting the features in drop down menus. But, you have to weigh the extra clicks. We are in a fast paced office and extra clicking is both annoying and time consuming. Putting the light blue "Go to Page" buttons into a menu as opposed to a button adds more clicks. Since we are constantly jumping around from this window, the button allows us to quickly navigate where we want to go. By putting them into a menu we have to click and then select from a drop down menu adds extra time and is a step backwards in the progress. We also use the flag options to track a couple important things for us, "Walkin/Same Day Appt" and "No Purchase". These are still in the new updated window but are now in a drop down box. The drop down box would be ok if we were able to add more flags, but we are still restricted to two. Therefore, if there is only 2 options, then the bubbles from the old window are more convenient and less clicks.
- Loss of the Template option was implemented in the new update. We used the Template option under "Patient" to schedule non-exam appointments, such as reps or meetings with other doctors. We do this instead of scheduling an appointment because making an appointment adds additional appointments to our appointment reports that are not actual appointments. We also use the Template option to schedule "unexpected" time off for the doctor. This allows me to distinguish between planned and unplanned time-off.
Overall, I'm happy that Crystal is constantly working to make its system better and a majority of the time I welcome the changes. However, this small part of the update didnt work for us. Kudos to Crystal for adding the option to go back to the original schedule format. You guys were thinking us who are set in our ways and fear change.
Jake
In short I think the updated schedule screen did not work out. Here is what I see:
- The graphics are nice and add a more "polished" look to the screen. In doing so the fonts were enlarged which helps with those that have a problems reading small print. However, in doing so the schedule no longer fits on the whole screen. This means you have to scroll up or down to see other parts of the schedule. We are looking at this screen multiple times during the day, with more than one doctor seeing patients. It is very convenient to have the entire schedule on one screen so we can make a quick assessment. Adding the graphics is a nice touch but loosing the ability for the schedule to fit the screen, makes it not helpful to us.
- The new "make appointment" screen has also been simplified, but in doing so it has lost a lot of its function. I understand that adding certain features to allow for more functionality is the goal. And in doing so, to prevent too much clutter in the window, you are forced to start putting the features in drop down menus. But, you have to weigh the extra clicks. We are in a fast paced office and extra clicking is both annoying and time consuming. Putting the light blue "Go to Page" buttons into a menu as opposed to a button adds more clicks. Since we are constantly jumping around from this window, the button allows us to quickly navigate where we want to go. By putting them into a menu we have to click and then select from a drop down menu adds extra time and is a step backwards in the progress. We also use the flag options to track a couple important things for us, "Walkin/Same Day Appt" and "No Purchase". These are still in the new updated window but are now in a drop down box. The drop down box would be ok if we were able to add more flags, but we are still restricted to two. Therefore, if there is only 2 options, then the bubbles from the old window are more convenient and less clicks.
- Loss of the Template option was implemented in the new update. We used the Template option under "Patient" to schedule non-exam appointments, such as reps or meetings with other doctors. We do this instead of scheduling an appointment because making an appointment adds additional appointments to our appointment reports that are not actual appointments. We also use the Template option to schedule "unexpected" time off for the doctor. This allows me to distinguish between planned and unplanned time-off.
Overall, I'm happy that Crystal is constantly working to make its system better and a majority of the time I welcome the changes. However, this small part of the update didnt work for us. Kudos to Crystal for adding the option to go back to the original schedule format. You guys were thinking us who are set in our ways and fear change.
Jake