Every doctor knows the power of a terrific referral. Practices can spend thousands of dollars on marketing, but it will never have the same impact as a trusted mate recommending their doctor.
What makes patients more likely to recommend their doctor to others? Typically, it’s a combination of trust and an extraordinary experience. If a patient loves the way they can schedule or re-schedule appointments online, conduct routine visits via a telehealth session, and feels informed throughout the year, the odds of their recommendations increase.
You want to give your patients an experience that makes them feel safe and listened to. This will mean, not only implementing software for a streamlined approach, but it also means knowing when to outsource certain areas such as Medical Billing Services, for instance, so that you can provide them with efficient support.
Here are four additional tips to help you provide your patients with an extraordinary experience:
When current or prospective patients need information about your services, hours, or practitioners, your website will likely be their stop. When they reach your website, what users find may mean the difference between booking an appointment or heading back to Google searching for someone else.
Your website is the centre of your digital marketing footprint and should represent the very best of your practice. A few ways to keep your website updated include:
It’s no secret that most people prefer to make appointments online versus waiting on hold and talking over the phone. Not only do online scheduling tools provide a higher rate of satisfaction for potential clients but it also saves time for your staff, eliminating or reducing long calls trying to fit a patient into the schedule.
Most practice management software packages typically include online scheduling features.
Other benefits of online scheduling include:
The rise of telehealth in 2020 has continued into 2021 and revolutionized how practices see patients amid the pandemic. Beyond the expected safety advantages that telehealth appointments provide, the efficiencies also extend to the practice itself.
When doctors are running behind for the day, incorporating a telehealth appointment midday can help them catch up and get back on schedule. Staff attribute this efficiency to fewer pre-and post-appointment duties like sanitizing the room, waiting on patients, gathering extra information like vitals, etc.
When a practice’s communication is limited to online appointment booking and follow-ups, there is little chance to get to know patients or for patients to get to know providers.
Incorporating a robust email marketing program can help increase the trust between the two parties and provide valuable information helpful to patients all year long.
So, what do you send via email? Email marketing ideas include:
When medical establishments use the best digital tools available to increase their outreach and provide current and potential patients with relevant and accessible information, the outcomes for the practice and the patient are better.
If you’re not sure where to start, choose one of these best practices to implement before the end of 2021 and make a plan to grow your digital tools in 2022.
