It may be spooky season, but you don’t want your patients to put doctors on their list of things that go bump on the night. A patient who is afraid of the doctor is less likely to book routine visits, share concerns about their health, and be in a position to take charge of their well-being. Putting patients at ease is key to building a healthy community – and a healthy practice. Here’s how to have your patients feeling that a doctor’s visit is less trick and more treat.
Pull Up a Chair and Listen
Leave the looming specters for Halloween. If you typically tower over patients, pull up a chair and put yourself at their level. Sitting, kneeling, or otherwise putting yourself at eye level helps the patient perceive you as an equal and will allay any fears. While you’re there, make a point to actively listen to your patient’s concerns and worries. It may take time for a patient to open up – often, their real concerns are aired in the last minutes of a visit – but being an empathetic listener helps create a long-term rapport.
Don’t Scare Patients with Jargon
The unknown strikes fear into the hearts of most of us. For fearful patients, being confronted with unknown terms, conditions, and procedures can be a major source of consternation. Explain complex terminology in layman’s terms, spell out abbreviations and acronyms, walk patients through treatment plans, and allow plenty of time for them to ask questions and clarify their understanding. Also, consider using models, charts, analogies, and other formats to help communicate complex topics in ways that make sense to patients. This can help speakers of other languages and those who better understand information through non-verbal means. The more you can take the “mystery” out of medicine, the more patients will feel relaxed and reassured.
Design a Spook-free Space
To fearful patients, a doctor’s office can feel a lot like a haunted house! Fortunately, the look and feel of your medical practice can go a long way towards reducing the scare factor of visiting the doctor. Review your interior design and patient flow to ensure that your space is warm, comfortable, and comforting and that patients are happy to be there. Avoid designs that require long stints in a waiting room, where patients feel like they’re on display or where they can hear other procedures underway – for example, a dentist’s drill. Consider things like natural lighting, plants and greenery, and soothing colors and art to make sure patients are in a fear-free state of mind.
Expel Patient Fears with GZ
Does your current practice space set patients’ teeth on edge? Exorcise patient fears by reimagining your space with a fresh build-out or by seeking out a new space that’s a better fit for your brand promise. At Gittleson Zuppas Medical Realty, we can help you negotiate beneficial new lease terms that will position you to set your space – and your patients – up for success or to identify a location that’s scarily good for business!