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Did you know some people don’t go see a doctor because they feel afraid? Make patients feel relaxed and comfortable. If you want to learn how to improve patients’ experience, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over how to improve the patient experience at your clinic.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
Contents
Focus On Creating a Safe Environment
COVID renewed the importance of communicating with your patients. Patients will wonder how their doctors will maintain a clean and safe clinic.
You will need to communicate new rules to your patients and let them know of any updates. Also, you will need sanitizer stations in your clinic.
Prove your commitment to maintaining a sanitized environment.
It would help if you had strict safety protocols in place. Patients will still want to know you take things seriously as the pandemic ebbs.
Communicate your protocol with patients. Let them know of any new updates via email or posts on your social media platforms.
Build Your Online Presence
Do you have an online presence? You should have a healthcare website and a local directory profile. New patients will browse your website first.
You should provide detailed and clear information about what patients can expect from your practice. You should have information about your services. Include a contact page, as well.
A professional photographer can come to your practice and take exterior and interior photographs. You could also add some testimonials on your site from current patients.
Update your profiles on healthcare directories and other online business directories. You should have current information and location details. The profiles should also link to your business website.
Lessen Wait Times
A lot of patients dislike long wait times. It would help if you had excellent scheduling guidelines in place.
You don’t want to end up overbooking patients. If you’re running behind, you should call the patient and let them know.
You should always explain to the patient how long the wait could be. Provide this information to your patient, so they aren’t wondering how much longer it will take.
Be courteous and tell them what to expect. If they might wait longer, let them know. The patient will appreciate these small steps.
Listen to Your Patients
Communication is a critical factor for a clinic to succeed. Patients who feel like their doctor communicates with them will feel appreciated.
Also, the frontline staff should greet patients by their first name. If the patient’s new, the front staff should ask for their name and welcome them.
You want to show an interest in your patients. Start a conversation with them and show them you care.
When a patient starts to tell you about their health concerns, listen to them. You shouldn’t interrupt them or wave off their worries. Patients will feel appreciated and cared for when you listen.
Strive to Make Your Patients Feel Comfortable
The patient should feel comfortable when they enter your clinic. You shouldn’t start with the paperwork right away. Front desk staff should come out from the desk and greet the patient.
The front staff should show the patient where they could hang their coat.
Add different amenities like fresh cookies, new reading material, and hot coffee.
Make the space more appealing by playing spa music and having comfy chairs for patients. You can also add bright and cheerful plants and artwork to the room.
Consider Using Clinic Software
Patients will feel frustrated if they provide the same information repeatedly.
Your patient shouldn’t have to spend 10 minutes filling out the same paperwork. Make sure you have the proper paperwork stored online.
You can even invite the patient to fill out the paperwork online from the comfort of their home. You want to make this process as smooth as possible.
To see if it’s a decent experience, you could review the procedure as if you were the patient. Do you need to keep scanning insurance information?
Is it a challenge to keep hand-writing the same information? What about switching to a digital system?
You can have an auto-fill response set up, and the patient could confirm if the data were correct or not. Try using clinic management software.
Prioritize Your Patient
Patients will perceive their physician in a certain way.
Are you always rushing around the office and barely taking the time to greet your patients? Are you always hurrying through the appointment and seem distracted?
It would help if you sat down when asking your patients questions. Make your patients feel comfortable. They will feel like you care and truly listen to what they tell you.
Show Empathy
You’ll also want to show empathy. A lot of patients believe their doctors lack empathy.
If your patient thinks you care, they will overlook mistakes or problems. A lot of patients will trust their doctors more and accept their recommendations.
It would help if you asked questions. Your patients will feel as if they can connect with you on a personal level.
Improve the Patient Experience Today
We hope this guide on improving the patient experience was helpful.
It would help if you looked at making your waiting area a comfortable space. Add new reading materials and offer delicious coffee.
Sit down and talk to your patients. Empathize with your patient, and show you care about them.
Are you looking for more tips? Check out our different business resources today.
