As a chiropractic practice, what could be better than getting new patients? The answer: retaining existing patients. The ability to communicate well is foundational to the success of chiropractic practices. Effective communication helps chiropractors establish relationships and share important information with patients at the right time. However, when providers are faced with the time pressures of a busy schedule, patient communication often gets lost in the shuffle. The most successful chiropractic practices rely on communication tools to get their message across. Here is how chiropractors can use communication technology to retain patients.
1. Text and Email Reminders
Patient communication technology is the way of the future for healthcare services. Utilize an innovative, HIPAA-compliant communication tool that automates mundane tasks while maintaining human touch and reducing the data security risk. A recent survey revealed that 9 out of 10 patients are interested in texting with local healthcare practices. Implement the right communication technology in your chiropractic practices to send automated text and email messages about clinic closings, reopenings, and scheduled appointments.
The integrated patient communication capabilities of zHealth Chiropractor Practice Management Software helps you stay connected with your patients and optimize your care delivery. zHealth lets your staff communicate with patients regarding upcoming appointments, office announcements, and recall appointments. The reminders ensure that patients show up for their appointments, reducing no-shows and the improving provider-patient relationship.
2. Two-Way Messaging
A study found that texting is now the preferred communication channel of all age groups. 95% of text messages are read within 3 minutes and 98% of text messages are read overall. Today, patients are almost twice as likely to prefer texting over any other communication method, including calling, emailing, and Facebook Messenger. Two-way texting is a powerful way of communicating and building relationships with your existing patient base.
With faster response rates than any form of communication channels, two-way messaging lets you have instant conversations with your patients. zHealth’s 2-way messaging functionality enhances every patient experience with automated booking confirmations. Your staff can respond to customer issues proactively with text messages. zHealth triggers dynamic replies and streamlines engagement with patients. When paired with our dedicated number feature, all of your messages will originate from the same mobile number so your patients can easily recognize and reach you.
3. Personalized Communication
Building and maintaining solid relationships with patients can be a tough task.A personalized birthday message may be just the nudge that helps a
patient realize that you genuinely care for them. The small gesture of sending a birthday greeting on the most important day of their lives can have a
profound impact on patient engagement and retention. zHealth’s automated birthday messaging feature is a good way to engage with patients on a yearly basis. Our software sends automated birthday messages to your patients. By sending your patients a birthday message through zHealth, you are engaging them in a positive, caring manner. This will drive more visits to your practice and increase patient satisfaction.
4. Proactive Communication
Proactive communication is all about preventing problems from happening rather than fixing them later on. Practices that communicate proactively have more loyal customers. Proactive communication drives your patients to trust you. With the right communication software for chiropractors, you can proactively answer customer questions before they have an opportunity to ask you. For instance, paying medical bills is getting difficult for patients. They want to know how much your chiropractic services are really going to cost them after the insurance pays its part and when the payment is due. Sending patient statements that clearly show the amount owed by the patient via email can help you display a sense of honesty and transparency.
Digitizing patient intake paperwork is another form of proactive communication as well as a great productivity-boosting tactic. Chiropractic software with integrated communication tools enables practices to send patient intake forms online before the appointment. A patient can fill in all necessary details and consent forms online from anywhere, any device. Patient data can be automatically sent to your chiropractic software, reducing repetitive tasks and maximizing your productivity.
A communication tool integrated with your cloud based chiropractic practice management software can make it easier to proactively share healthy lifestyle tips and nutrition charts with patients via email. The benefits of proactive communication are significant and they affect your ability to improve patient satisfaction and retention. So be proactive and take control of your success!
Conclusion
When a patient has built a relationship with your practice, it’s more difficult for them to leave you for one of your competitors. To retain your loyal customers, chiropractic practices need to be effective at communication. As the world makes more of a digital transition, patients demand convenience from their healthcare providers. Practices need to keep a close eye on what patients expect and need. They must utilize communication technology to communicate with patients and build long-lasting relationships. Look for simple practice management software with integrated communication tools, such as reminders, 2-way texting, patient reactivation, and digital patient intake capabilities. For more details about our chiropractic software, contact us here.
