Table of Contents
Tired of Giving Away Your Health Info? Why This Brilliant Free Booking System Is the Answer.
When you book a doctor’s appointment online, your personal health information is often sent to large, third-party companies. Many popular booking platforms, like DoctoLib, require patients to hand over sensitive data. This practice raises significant concerns about data privacy, as it is often unclear how these companies use or protect your information. Patients may feel they have no choice but to agree to complex privacy policies if they want to secure an appointment, creating a difficult dilemma.
The Problem with Big Tech in Healthcare
Doctors often use these large platforms out of convenience or a lack of alternatives, not realizing the potential data risks for their patients. This situation forces patients to choose between booking an appointment and protecting their privacy. The core issue is that control over personal health data shifts from the trusted doctor-patient relationship to a commercial entity whose primary interest may not be patient welfare. This has led to a growing demand for more secure and private alternatives.
A New Solution: Open Reception
Open Reception is an open-source appointment booking system that puts data control back into the hands of doctors and therapists. Here’s what makes it different:
- Self-Hosted: The software is installed and run on the medical practice’s own servers, meaning patient data does not leave the doctor’s office.
- Encrypted: The platform uses end-to-end encryption to protect all communications between the patient and the practice.
- Open Source: Because the software’s code is publicly available on GitHub, it can be reviewed by security experts to ensure it is safe and trustworthy.
Project Status and Future Plans
The development of Open Reception is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The team, led by Hendrik Belitz and Karl Ludwig Weise, planned to present a functional prototype on November 28, 2025. The goal is to make the software available for self-installation or as a hosted solution by the end of 2025.
The basic version of Open Reception will remain free to use. For practices that need extra help, the developers are planning optional paid services that include professional hosting and support. This makes it a viable alternative for medical offices without their own IT staff, challenging the dominance of existing platforms.