Isn't it time to stop waiting at hospitals?

"Waiting at reception, waiting in the inner waiting room, and then waiting again at checkout—". In Japanese medical institutions, "waiting" has become all too common. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the average waiting time for outpatients is over 30 minutes. For busy business people and parents raising children, this "waiting time" is the biggest hurdle to seeing a doctor.

RED MAPLE CLINIC by Dr. Kurenai (hereinafter, Red Maple Clinic) in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, is a clinic that has directly challenged the conventional wisdom of "medical waiting times." By introducing advance booking and payment via Digisma, the clinic has realized a completely new consultation style where doctors directly welcome patients into the examination room without the need for reception staff.

Red Maple Clinic: Three Strengths

❶ Zero Waiting Time — "No waiting" is the ultimate hospitality

At our clinic, Digisma (Digital Smar

t Consultation System) is utilized to complete everything from booking to payment in advance. Patients simply arrive at the clinic at their reserved time and are immediately guided to the examination room. The conventional multi-stage process of "reception → waiting → consultation → waiting → payment" has been compressed into a single step: "booking → consultation/prescription → going home."

❷ Direct Doctor Connection — A new consultation experience where "the doctor greets you"

Without going through reception staff, the doctor himself confirms Digisma bookings and directly welcomes patients into the examination room. This "seemingly unconventional" style is not merely about reducing labor costs. It is a deliberate design to maximize the concentration of "pure consultation time spent facing the patient." The doctor directly listens to the patient's story without the need for referral letters or medical questionnaires. This is Dr. Takebayashi's vision of "Patient First."

❸ Overwhelming Speed — Completion "within 30 minutes" even during flu season

From consultation and diagnosis to medication dispensing, it takes just 30 minutes. This isn't only true during normal times. Even during peak flu season, when influenza is rampant, our clinic maintains this speed. With same-day influenza diagnosis using the AI-powered camera "nodoca," the utilization of online consultations, and a prevention-focused medical system, the risk of in-hospital infection is also minimized.

Background: Zero Waiting Time is a Testament to the Doctor's "Integrity"

In typical medical institutions, there are many "waits" and "procedures" before entering the examination room. However, we believe that "making patients wait is equivalent to taking away a part of their healthy lifespan."

Being unwell and having to wait for a long time. That itself raises the barrier to seeking medical attention and is a factor in worsening one's condition—this is an unwavering conviction Dr. Takebayashi gained from his experience on the front lines of public health as a public health center director.

"Chasing after daily work and household chores, unable to even find time to go to the hospital. Hearing the voices of such people, I established this clinic." — Dr. Kurenai Takebayashi, Director

Without going through administrative staff, the doctor directly confirms Digisma bookings and welcomes patients into the examination room. This seemingly unconventional style is not for the purpose of efficiency. Behind it lies the following firm belief:

Improving Healthcare Accessibility

The complacency of "I'm busy, I'll put it off until later" can worsen one's condition. Our clinic operates from 8 AM to 10 PM, including weekends and holidays, and also offers online consultations. We thoroughly eliminate psychological barriers to seeking medical attention, leading to early diagnosis and early treatment.

...