More Than Just a Hunch

posted on Thursday, April 14, 2016

Do you have a feeling that your practice is ‘missing the mark’ somehow with patients? You have a strong hunch, but you can’t really pinpoint or confirm the exact issue(s). For example, you sense there is something or someone during the patient check-in and registration process that is affecting the overall patient experience. Or you are hearing through the grapevine that one of your providers is not taking the time to really listen to their patients. Or you have noticed someone in billing is less than kind when speaking to patients about late payments.

The patient perception is changing. No longer are patients looking at their doctors as some sort of God-like beings who can solve everything. Practices can't just assume patients are going to continue to come back. They have Google, social media, the WebMDs of the world -- where they seek second opinions and information.

Research shows that patients who feel they are actively involved in their healthcare decisions are more likely to refer new patients. They are also more likely to stay at the practice for a very long time.

That's why practices can't afford not to collect patient feedback. Learn more about the power of patient satisfaction surveys.