Keeping patients happy with your medical clinic is the #1 most important way to keep them coming back. After all, there are plenty of other clinics around. What makes yours so special? If you don’t know the answer, it’s time to create one. There are 3 big things that make patients return to a clinic. Make sure you have all 3!
1. Professional Management
The first think people notice about a medical clinic they like is professional management. A patient may return to a clinic with professional management, even if the building is a bit outdated. What this means is:
- Ensure scheduling is appropriately timed.
If you find your clinic is consistently behind on taking in patients who arrived on time, change your scheduling practices. If each of your doctors has a patient scheduled every 15 minutes, change that to 20 minutes. You may get a few less patients per day, but your reputation will improve and your existing patients will be happier with the care they’re receiving. - Handle cancelations and rescheduling with compassion.
Whenever possible, allow cancelations and rescheduling for free. Some clinics charge fees for cancelation, but this is a poor management choice for an industry founded on caring for people who may be disabled or lower class. You’ll retain more patients if you’re lax about these things. - Support patient-first policies.
Patients should always have the choice of how they receive care. Insist all of your doctors put the patient’s desires before what they may consider their needs. Inform patients and then allow them to decide what’s best for their treatment, unless explicitly asked to make an executive decision. - Make your clinic accessible.
Clinics and medical settings are here to treat those who are sick, injured, or disabled. Ensure your clinic is physically and mentally accessible and you’ll retain more patients.
2. Friendly Staff
A clinic that’s professionally managed is great, but to make patients return, you also need a friendly staff. A doctor who’s able to convey accurate medical advice is worthless if they disrespect their patient and make them uncomfortable. The same goes for a desk clerk who’s rude or unfeeling toward people looking to check in or get information about the clinic.
3. Comfortable and Attractive Building
Finally, last but not least, one of the most important things needed to make patients return is a comfortable and attractive building. When a clinic is full of friendly people who are competent at their jobs, but the building is dingy, they’re at a disadvantage. Leave your patients more than just satisfied. Make them happy with your services.
Older buildings may be suffering from years of wear and tear. Even well-maintained, old buildings look outdated and unattractive. Ensure patients are greeted with a comfortable and modern interior and they will come back. Plus, having your medical office renovated, remodeled, or rebuilt means a prime opportunity for recommendations. Doctor’s office recommendations are one of the biggest ways a patient pool will grow. If someone has a good experience, they’ll pass it on. What better way to start a conversational recommendation than being able to say, “My doctor’s office just got renovated. It’s so nice!”
Get Help with Your Clinic Design
If you need help with your clinic design, contact us at Heidan Construction. We have exactly the experience you need to improve your existing office design or create a new one. Never heard of design build? Read more about it here to see if it’s the right fit.
