How Small Medical Practices Are Simplifying Prescribing and Putting Patients First

Dr. Sonia Panchal combines holistic care with digital innovation through Healistic, giving patients faster access to treatment and peace of mind.

Running an independent medical business today means wearing many hats. For doctors, it’s not just about providing expert care, it’s about managing admin, meeting patient expectations, and finding ways to work efficiently without losing the human touch.

For Dr Sonia Panchal, Consultant Rheumatologist and creator of the Living Beyond Autoimmune Disease program, the key has always been putting patients first. With over 20 years of experience, she is recognised for her holistic, whole-person approach to autoimmune and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and osteoporosis.

“My philosophy goes far beyond managing symptoms,” she explains. “I focus on the individual behind the illness. People want to feel heard, supported, and reassured that their care is seamless — that’s where innovation comes in.”

Rethinking the Patient Experience

Many of Dr. Sonia’s patients live with chronic pain. For them, the simplest tasks, standing in queues, chasing pharmacies, or waiting days to begin treatment can feel overwhelming.

“Patients often arrive at my clinic when pain is already affecting their ability to work, sleep, and enjoy everyday life,” she says. “If I can remove barriers to treatment, it makes a huge difference to their health journey.”

The Challenge for Small Clinics

Like many small businesses, independent clinics face rising expectations. Patients want reliable, streamlined care, yet doctors juggle limited time and growing admin. Traditional paper prescribing created bottlenecks: patients had to chase pharmacies, and clinic staff were pulled away from patient care to handle follow-ups and forms.

For Dr Sonia, the solution came through digital prescribing.

Embracing Digital Prescribing with Healistic

To modernise her clinic, Dr. Sonia adopted Healistic, a digital prescribing platform designed for private practices. Prescriptions can now be issued in under 30 seconds from any device. Once approved, Healistic’s nationwide pharmacy network takes over, sourcing the medication, handling fulfilment, and delivering it directly to the patient’s door, often within 24 hours.

The results were immediate. Patients left consultations confident their treatment was already on the way, and the clinic saved hours of admin every week. For rheumatology, where repeat prescriptions are common, Healistic’s automated refills were particularly transformative.

“Digital prescribing helps me provide certainty,” Dr. Sonia says. “It means patients don’t just walk out with advice, they walk out knowing their medication is already being processed. That reassurance changes everything.”

Daniel Bulkin, Founder of Healistic, adds:

“Private medical practices face the same pressures as any small business: delivering consistent service, building trust, and staying efficient. By simplifying prescribing, clinics like Dr. Panchal’s are saving valuable time while patients receive medication faster. It’s a win for everyone.”

Technology Meets Compassion

For Dr. Sonia, adopting Healistic was never about prescribing more medication. It was about improving the experience when prescriptions are needed.

“Medication is only one part of holistic care,” she says. “My role is to empower patients to take charge of their health, whether that’s through lifestyle, mindset, or medical treatment. Digital prescribing fits into that vision because it removes barriers and gives patients peace of mind.”

That same philosophy underpins her signature program, Living Beyond Autoimmune Disease, which helps patients feel supported not just clinically, but emotionally and practically.

About Dr. Sonia Panchal & Healistic

Dr. Sonia Panchal is a Consultant Rheumatologist with over 20 years of clinical experience and the creator of Living Beyond Autoimmune Disease. She is recognised for her holistic, whole-person approach to autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, combining medical expertise with compassionate, patient- centred care.

Her work reflects a growing trend among small medical businesses: embracing modern tools like Healistic to deliver faster, more reliable care without losing the personal touch.

• To learn more about her consultations & Living Beyond programs,  visit drsoniapanchal.com
• ,or to find out more about Healistic is helping SMEs streamline their patient workflows , visit: healistic.net