CTV News Montreal

Updated: Tue Apr. 20 2010 11:58:46 AM

ctvmontreal.ca

A Quebec man, tired of wasting hours at medical clinics waiting for appointments, has developed a novel idea of making the wait tolerable.

Pierre LaFrance came up with the idea after yet another lengthy wait before his children could see a doctor.

His children have severe allergies, and so frequent doctor's visits are a fact of life.

"Once my kids said 'Why can't we wait at home? I want to play with my toys,'" said LaFrance, and the plan was born.

LaFrance worked with several friends to develop software that lets patients monitor wait times over the phone.

Their company, TechnoWait, then approached phone companies and the director of the Fabreville health clinic, Marc Chabot to put their plan into action.

"I see it as an added value service," said Chabot.

Patients register for a visit, take a number, and then call it regularly to find out how much longer they will have to wait.

The pilot project began six months ago at Polyclinique Fabreville in Laval.

The clinic still has its average two-to-three hour wait, but patients can be anywhere in reach of a phone.

"I saved two hours," said Charline Paquin. "Instead of waiting here, I went to work."

By calling into the TechnoWait voicemail, an automated message tells them how many people are ahead of them, and how fast the queue is moving.

"People can go back to work, go home to rest when they're sick, so I found that a good idea," said Chabot.

The next step is a phone alert, so that instead of checking in, people will get a phone call half-an-hour before their appointment comes up.

Right now the service is free, but it will eventually cost $3, and TechnoWait hopes it will soon be implemented at walk-in clinics and hospitals.

Comments are now closed for this story

Chris
So what happens if you opt not to pay the 3$? does the person who pays get to go ahead of you? Or does this just mean you have to sit there and wait for your turn? The last time I went to a particular clinic, I was given a number on a piece of paper and told that they were starting at 1:00. My number was 8 so I was there for 1:15 and waited about 45 minutes. This worked somewhat well, and did not cost me anything.

Melissa
I think this is a fantastic idea. When I go to the clinic I usually ask how long the wait is, then go home and wait, usually I go back too early and still have to wait at least a half hour if not more. I think this service would really change people minds about going to the doctors, like Sanitylost stated. I think Mr. LaFrance has a great idea on his hands that will help relieve the stress levels of patients who need to see a doctor.

Sandra from Montreal
Wow what a great idea. I have a doctor who has wait times between 2-3 hours, AT EVERY visit, it never goes fast, some doctors stack patients ie 3 people at the same time slot as you, imagine the wait time. This TechnoWait is a great thing and well worth $3 bucks.

LVH
I have been doing this for more than 10 years for free. I register at the clinic and then ask how long the wait will be. I then go home and wait. I return a little bit earlier than I was told to. This works great but it helps if you live close to the clinic.

Richard Cooney
As soon as the $25 per visit kicks in the line up will be reduced ....by a lot!!! In any event it was/is a great idea Mr Lafrance. Cudos to you!

Katie
Everyone wins with this service. You don't have to wait as long, receptionists don't have to deal with impatient clients and most importantly, waiting rooms won't be filled with all types of viruses that can be transmitted to others.

CW
The waiting is so long for a "free" service that people are willing to pay to be able to wait at home???

It shows how defective or should I say dysfunctional our "free" health system is...

GasStation
Sounds similar to the system already in place at La Ronde. Customers there can for a hefty sum of money pay or rent a device which lets them know when a ride they have registered for using the device is ready for them within 10 minutes. Then there's a special entrance for these people. That's the part Mr. Lafrance hasn't invented, it's already in existence and called a "private clinic".

Sanitylost in Montreal
What a fantastic idea and it will be well worth the three bucks.
Now I might even go to the clinic when I think I need to instead of saying "Forget it, it takes too long".

Erich
Why it took this long for someone to come up with this is beyond me, as I wished this would have been established years ago! Finally someone with common sense. Bravo!

Brian
This. Is. Genius.

Julia
A wonderful idea! Way to go Mr LaFrance!!!