There’s one big constant in health care, and it’s the continuous change. So as 2022 wraps up and the new year begins, it’s a great chance reassess and make some plans for 2023. If you’re looking to set goals for your company or team in the new year, check out some of the these trends that we picked out from ExpertBox.
Prioritize Patient Experience
Most health care organizations agree that patient care and experience are the top priorities. However, constantly updated technology and advances in telehealth provide unique and new opportunities to improve the patient experience.
For example, many health care organizations now have apps that patients can use to set up appointments. Many facilities provide a quick text message for appointment reminders, too. And some provide relevant content so you can go online and learn about your diagnoses or other patient education.
And while online systems are helpful, consider the patient experience overall – can they pick up the phone and reach a person easily, or is it a hassle to get their questions answered? Are test results shared with them automatically, or does the doctor call them with specific results? It’s important to look at things from the patient’s point of view, to make sure that your patients and clients will want to work with you again and recommend you to others.
Improve Patient Referrals
Patient referrals go hand in hand with patient experience. If patients find it easy to reach your clinic to ask questions, book appointments, and visit with providers in ways that are easiest for them, it increases the likelihood they’ll have good things to say.
Many individuals find word-of-mouth referrals more trustworthy than online advertising. Patients may be more likely to set up an appointment with a clinic if they hear about it from a trusted source versus an internet search.
Ways to improve upon patient referrals include:
- Ask your patients for referrals. Let them know you are accepting new patients in case they have any friends or family looking for a new provider.
- Ask patients to provide a testimonial. You can display these on your webpage or social media pages.
- Ask for reviews on Google and other sites patients may use to search for a health care provider.
- Provide trusted online content. Online content is another way for potential patients to find you and establish you as a trustworthy source of information. For example, a worried parent may type in “RSV activity in Massachusetts.” If you have a well-written piece on this topic, it may appear toward the top of the parent’s search. The parent may then turn to your clinic for care and treatment.
Optimize Your Services for Voice Searches
This method of attracting patients and clients is often overlooked but can make a big impact. For example, how often have you asked your Alexa device, Siri, or other smart devices a question? When these devices gather information from the web, they’re more likely to find and recommend you if your website content is clear and consistent.
It’s also super helpful to make you more accessible to patients who can’t see, or who may rely on text to voice applications. When you’re more accessible, more patients will feel welcome coming to you as an established and equitable health care provider.
Next Steps
These are just a few trends to be aware of heading into 2023. There are a lot of other ways that you can gear up for the coming year, and making sure you’re properly staffed is a big one! Consider reaching out to an established agency like Arbor Associates.
We can save you time by helping you fill staffing needs in your organization so you can focus on other priorities, such as improved patient experiences and increased referrals. As a leader in health care staffing in southern New England, with over 40 years of experience, we take pride in pairing the right candidate with the right workplace. Contact us for staffing help today!
