Like the ocean, medical practices are a delicate ecosystem. Your practice’s growth and sustainability can struggle without the right balance of new and repeat patients. According to the Review of Optometric Business, about 10% of existing patients die or move away each year. To grow, your practice needs to reel in additional patients. Here’s how to make sure those new patient nibbles turn into bites and those bites into a catch.
Cast a Wide Visibility Net
Fly fishing ties are bright and vibrant for a reason. Your practice can similarly catch the eye of new patients with strategic branding, marketing, and advertising directed at your target audience. Invest in eye-catching signage, build a strong online presence, nurture a referral system with other providers, and offer unique services or procedures to set you apart.
Lure Patients with Easy Bookings
Make your practice inviting for new patients by leaving time in your schedule to see walk-ins and by offering simple online booking and confirmation options. Being able to see a new patient promptly will often seal the deal, whereas if you’re booked weeks or months out, they’ll often go elsewhere. On a similar note, be transparent about pricing and the types of insurance and payment options you offer.
Hire Staff Worth their Salt
There are many reasons a fish might not bite – like being too noisy or setting up in the wrong spot. In healthcare, staff can be a major factor in a new patient’s decision to bite. Hire friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff, and ensure that everyone is trained on practice-wide processes and standards. Ongoing professional development is a must – as is keeping a close eye on patient feedback and attrition numbers.
Scoop up Patient Feedback
The ocean ecosystem is constantly changing – and so is the healthcare ecosystem. Patient needs and expectations aren’t static, so continuously monitor for feedback to ensure you deliver a great experience. Invite reviews, star ratings, and patient input to see where you’re doing a great job and where things can improve. The higher and more prolific your star ratings, the better you’ll rank in online listings – and the more new patients you’ll attract.
Where One Fish Goes, a School Follows!
Referral networks don’t only exist between physicians. Offer patients incentives to bring friends and family to your practice as new patients. Reward them with gift cards, vouchers, or special gifts. People are more likely to trust the recommendation of someone they know than they are a stranger, so encourage existing patients to put in a positive word for your practice.
Invest in Your Aquarium
We mean this both literally and figuratively! A fish tank is a great addition to any medical office. It pays to ensure that your offices are warm, comfortable, and appealing to new patients – and that they reflect the specific brand of your practice. Keep furniture updated, repaint and re-decorate as needed, refresh old signage, and maintain common areas such as parking lots. The more appealing a space, the more likely new patients will come your way!
Don’t be a Fish Out of Water. Talk to GZ!
Are you looking to grow your medical practice? Whether you’re looking to buy, lease, or renegotiate a lease for an existing space, the medical real estate experts at Gittleson Zuppas Medical Realty are here to help. With decades of experience connecting medical professionals with right-fit spaces, we can help you find the space your practice needs to become the big fish in the big pond!