Word-of-Mouth Key for New Patients

According to the Center for Studying Health System Change, most patients consider the opinions of others when it comes to choosing a physician. The survey showed that 50.3 percent of patients rely on word-of-mouth, 38.1 percent on other doctors, 34.7 on health plans, and 10.8 percent on website ratings.

Here’s the link to the article: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/12/22/bisc1222.htm

So how do you get more patients promoting you with word-of-mouth? Providing outstanding patient service, for one. But if you already have a great bedside manner, the key is to become approachable, even more available to your patients.

This isn’t as difficult as it sounds; it doesn’t mean giving them your personal cell phone number. No, instead, invest a few hours each week in social media. Make an account on facebook or twitter, and schedule some open time each week for “discussion.” Post links to great healthcare articles, events, and websites. Promote it to your patients that every Tuesday from 11am to 2pm you will be available online to answer any questions they have about their health. Or send an e-mail to your pregnant patients and offer a video-seminar about pre-natal nutrition.

This works because the patients that do actually interact with you are much more likely to engage in positive word-of-mouth. “Guess what my doctor did online this week!? Does yours do anything like that?”

It doesn’t require more than a few hours each week, and maybe you even try it just for a month or two. But we highly recommend giving social media a chance for your practice, especially because it costs nothing but your time.

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