Patient Retention: Reminders and Thank-Yous Go a Long Way
Without a patient retention strategy, no matter how much new traffic you bring into your office your overall patient counts will continue to decline. SmileMakers is here to help you make sure that every new patient who walks through your door stays with your practice for years to come. And don’t panic, you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to keep patients coming back. Your great care along with simple tactics like reminders, follow-up emails, and messages of gratitude add a special, personal touch that will make patients feel respected and appreciated. Here are a few things to keep in mind when crafting communication with new and existing patients:
Personalized Reminders
You have appointment slots to fill and your patients have busy lives, which means that reminders are necessary. However, not all reminder messages are created equal. There is an art to sending a reminder, so make sure both you and your patients are getting the most out of these communications. A few general rules to follow when drafting reminder messages:
- When patients initially call to book their visit, let them know ahead of time that you’ll be sending a reminder and ask which method of contact they prefer. This way they are more likely to receive the message and the reminder won’t come across as “pushy”.
- Always include the date and time of a patient’s appointment along with any other pertinent details. This includes pointers for tricky parking situations, any necessary paperwork, and cancellation policies.
- Make it easy for a patient to confirm, cancel, or reschedule by including a phone number and email address.
- Personalize the message and let the patient know you’re excited to meet with them!
Handwritten Notes Make an Impression
Anyone can print out a generic, templated follow-up note or send one in an email. Handwritten notes have a way of making people feel special and this dying art is always appreciated by recipients. It only takes a few minutes after an appointment to jot down a few personalized words of gratitude. Need some tips to optimize your notes? We’ve got you covered!
- Start by using the patient's name rather than a generic, “Dear Patient”
- Thank your patient for choosing your practice and include a differentiator. (For example, are they a new patient? “It was so nice meeting you during your first appointment with us. Thanks so much for choosing our office for your dental health needs!”).
- Did your patient mention an upcoming event or other details during their visit? Let them know you were listening! For example, “I hope you have a great time at your son’s wedding next month…”
- Don’t try too hard to push their next appointment. Simply mention that you will have your team follow-up or set a reminder when they’re due for their next visit.
Treatment & Recovery Follow-Up
When healthcare providers show an interest in a patient’s recovery and make it a point to check up, even when there is nothing left to gain, it is always remembered. A simple follow-up can go a long way and shows that you are invested in your patient’s health rather than just their checkbook. Whether your follow-up is in the form of a phone call, text message, or email, patients will always love the effort. If you want to ensure that your follow-up reaches via the right medium, ask your patients which method of contact they prefer before they leave your office. This will make the process seamless for everyone involved.
Say it with SmileMakers
Now that you know the ins and outs of reminders, thank-yous, and follow-ups, you’re ready to browse our selection of recall cards and greeting cards. We have some for every occasion, and patients will love to read your personalized message on these timely, beautiful cards.
