Why digitization has become inevitable in medical practices
Medical quality alone is no longer enough to work efficiently or retain patients. The following developments are driving the digitization More progress today than any political requirement:
- Shortage of skilled workers, bureaucracy and cost pressure: Many practices are working at their limits. Paper processes and double data collection costs time that is missing in the treatment room. Digital processes relieve and ensure efficiency.
- Patient expectations as a new standard: Many patients are used to digital processes in everyday life. They expect easy appointment booking, quick communication and transparency. Practices without such offers quickly come across as out-of-date.
- Technology as an enabler: Modern software solutions combine recording, documentation and billing. They do not replace staff, but give back time for patients.
6 practical examples of how doctors successfully digitize
1. Starting a practice with Nelly: A smooth start (turn 7)
How a start-up works completely digitally right from the start.
Dentists Drs. Adam, Friedrich and Brinkmann opened in Hamburg in 2024 the Praxis Drehbahn 7.
Your goal: Right from the start Work paperless and don't waste any more time with analog processes.
What we have implemented: With Nelly, patient forms, explanations and consent forms were completely digitized. New patients fill out their documents online before the appointment, and the registration works with verified, automatically stored documents. Invoices and cost estimates are digitally signed and sent via link, including modern payment methods such as Apple Pay or SEPA.
The result: Significantly less administrative work, smoother processes and significantly more time for treatment. For the Drehbahn 7 team, it was clear that a practice that starts digitally works more efficiently and patient-friendly in the long term.
The full case study can be found here.
2. Radiology: Digitalization as a success factor in large companies
The practice group RADIOLOGY with 23 locations in Munich, Upper Bavaria and Swabia and over 70 doctors, focused on one central goal.
Your goal: Standardize standard processes across all locations, eliminate media breaks and digitally map the patient journey from registration to billing.
What was implemented: With Nelly were Online medical history forms introduced, which transfer relevant data directly to the practice management system. Information and documentation are carried out digitally. Invoicing and billing processes were automated, including online payment and factoring.
The result: Reception and administrative processes are significantly faster, and paper and printing costs are noticeably reduced. ¼ of patients Fill out the medical history from home — this significantly relieves the team.
The full case study can be found here.
3. Orthodontics: 30% cost savings through automated processes
How a large supply center simplifies processes and relieves teams.
BISS45 orthodontics With locations in Berlin-Mitte and Charlottenburg, works under the direction of Philipp Gebhardt.
Your goal: Simplify all practice processes and eliminate media breaks. Previously, everyday life was characterized by many individual solutions, paper forms and disconnected programs: Too much effort for routine tasks.
What was implemented: With Nelly, admission forms, consent forms, cost estimates and billing were completely digitized. The practice replaced several stand-alone solutions with a central platform with automated processes and clear interfaces.
The result: Around 30% cost savings and significantly more efficient workflows. Paper consumption fell by up to 80%, saving the team around 30 - 60 minutes of administrative time per new patient: Extrapolated, that's around 500 hours a year.
The full case study can be found here.
4. Neurology: Digital patient recording instead of paper chaos
How a modern specialist practice digitizes standard processes and reduces costs.
The Neurology Galluswarte practice opened in January 2023 in Frankfurt am Main and has relied on completely digital processes right from the start.
Your goal: Reduce bureaucracy, avoid paperwork and make registration, documentation and billing processes efficient.
What was implemented: With Nelly, medical history sheets, educational and data protection declarations, and invoices were digitized. Patients fill out the forms online before the appointment, sign via smartphone and send them directly to the practice management system. Multilingual documents and automatic translations make it easier to deal with international patients.
The result: Practice saves money every day several hours of documentation time, significantly reduces printing costs and creates more time for treatment.
The full case study can be found here.
5. Dermatology: Digital patient management saves hours per week
How a dermatologist's practice digitally simplifies administration, documentation and data protection.
The dermatological practice medermis keel, part of the MEDERMIS Group, faced major challenges: increasing administrative costs, increasing volumes of paper and demanding data protection requirements.
Your goal: More time for patients, less effort with forms, scans and archiving — while maintaining the same quality and security of documentation.
What was implemented: With Nelly's solution, medical history sheets, consent forms and educational documents were digitized. Patients receive documents before the appointment, either use a QR code in the waiting room or online form at home. Completed documents appear immediately in the system; manual scanning is no longer necessary.
The result: Per new patient, approximately 10 minutes management time saved. Errors due to manual transmission are eliminated, and the documentation is secure and effective. The team is increasingly using the time gained for individual patient care.
The full case study can be found here.
6. Orthopedics: Increased efficiency and patient satisfaction combined
How a large practice group standardizes and scales complex processes.
The OVZ Munich is an orthopedic care center with eight doctors on several floors in Munich.
Your goal: Simplify complex processes between diagnosis, therapy and billing; eliminate media breaks; noticeably relieve the team.
What was implemented: With Nelly, digital medical history forms were introduced, documentation and signature processes were completely digitized, and a stable connection to the practice management system was created.
The result: Daily administrative and documentation costs were reduced, the practice was able to work more efficiently and concentrate more on patient care.
The full case study can be found here.
What all successfully digitized practices have in common
Digitalization in medical practices doesn't work because software is being installed. It works because structures and people get involved. In all six cases, there are recurring patterns that determine success or failure:
- Responsibility anchored internally: Wherever a permanent contact person managed the issue, implementation went according to plan. Where no one is responsible, it is just declarations of intent.
- Team acceptance is key: Employees were involved early on and were able to experience the benefits directly. This reduced resistance and created trust in the new processes.
- Clear direction: Each practice started with a clear focus: For example, less paper, faster processes or more transparency.
- Step-by-step implementation: No practice has to digitize everything at once. First small, visible successes and then see what is still possible and desired. This creates routine instead of overwhelming demands.
- Digitalization as an organizational task: Technology was always a means to an end. The willingness to question and rethink processes was decisive.
Digitalization shows who is serious
The examples show that digitization is not a question of subject area or size of practice. It is crucial that it fits everyday life.
Where teams assume responsibility and processes are really rethought, it works: whether in radiology, orthopedics or dermatology.
And it pays off: Anyone who takes digitization seriously gains clarity, efficiency and time. However, anyone who regards it as a compulsory exercise remains stuck in the old way of thinking. Progress does not come from technology, but from the will to make good use of it.
Feel free to talk to us about your practice and find out where digitization makes the biggest difference for you.
