Effective Ways to Increase Patient Volume

The healthcare industry has found creative ways to increase patient volume over the years. In an ever-changing competitive environment, medical practices must stay on top of current trends to attract potential new patients.

Patient volume in health care can be volatile since the market fluctuates based on patient needs. Gaining exposure through various channels helps improve patient volume to establish your practice as trustworthy and distinguished during its grassroots establishment.

Explore customer acquisition techniques and new patient sales strategies to help put your practice on the map.

The Impact of Efficient Healthcare Systems on Patient Volumes

Patients are more likely to stay with their primary physicians if all their service needs are met. Efficient appointment booking systems, neat and comfortable waiting areas, prompt and helpful physician service and assistance, and comprehensive customer support services all play a significant role in how patients perceive individual practices and compare them accordingly.

Some practices have high patient turnover at the cost of waiting for hours to be helped, while others help patients swiftly with short wait times but lack in other service areas. Finding the right balance is crucial. A successful practice caters to patient needs without compromising their service levels. Being new in the industry presents multiple opportunities to dominate the market, especially if your practice creates new ways to attract new patients.

10 Practical Methods to Increase Patient Volume for Your Medical Facility

Finding innovative ways to grow your medical practice can take time, but your effort will pay off in the end. Here are 10 ideas to help promote patient foot traffic in your medical practice.

1. Create a Visible Online Marketing Presence

A visible online presence is imperative for new medical practices to gain exposure in their communities. Here are some strategies that may help.

• A resourceful website: An attractive website that’s user-friendly and easy to navigate, highlights the available services, and includes reliable resources and existing patient testimonials helps establish a practice online.
• Effective SEO strategies: Combining effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategies helps improve search engine results page (SERP) rankings. Your online content can rank higher on results pages for potential patients seeking relevant services. Businesses that rank on the first page of Google SERPs are considered trustworthy and reputable. Patients may attribute higher value to these practices and consult their services.
• Online reviews: Testimonials are helpful in understanding patients’ experiences with various medical practices. They are usually trusted as much as word-of-mouth referrals. Encourage patients to leave reviews and respond to them professionally.
• Google Ads and PPC: Marketing tools like Google Ads help increase patient volume by placing your practice on appropriate sites to increase visibility and reach a broader target audience. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising strategies further boost efforts to increase sales targeted at potential new patients.
• Social media presence: Social media platforms have the capacity to expose practices to diverse audiences through far-reaching community networks. Having a social media page on each platform with regular updates keeps it relevant. Post specials on popular cosmetic treatments and services where applicable or feature the physician of the month, highlighting their experience, skills, interests and other facts. Posting content that sets your practice apart from the rest may increase your chances of gaining exposure.

2. Invest in Community Outreach and Awareness

Engage with the local community to raise awareness of your newly established practice. Showcase special services and educate potential patients through free workshops and seminars. Post flyers in community centers with your practice’s contact details and workshop information.

Online educational videos and blogs address concerns, including frequently asked questions. Infomercials in waiting rooms depicting real-life scenarios help patients understand when to contact their healthcare provider. Educating potential patients inspires trust in your practice by putting your name out there. It presents your facility as reliable and worth visiting.

3. Expand on Referral Opportunities

Word-of-mouth referrals are effective because patients have first-hand experience with the services. Family and friends are more likely to visit a practice if they were referred by a trusted individual. Promote referral discounts to existing patients who successfully refer others.

Get to know other local physicians through networking opportunities. Build solid working relationships to foster mutual understanding and respect in the industry. This way, you can construct a network you can turn to when patients require a specialist, and those connections may lead to more visits to your own practice in return.

4. Implement Call Queues to Avoid Possible Missed Appointments

Patients need a quick way to contact you in emergencies. Even if it’s not an emergency, patients want to be helped on the phone without delay. They may seek alternative practices if they can’t get through to reception or need to hold for too long.

Call queues help mitigate dropped calls to manage expectations better. Receptionists can handle call influx volumes better by being prepared for each call. This strategy improves patient satisfaction and the likelihood of patients returning.

5. Offer Follow-Up and Post-Care Services

Providing follow-up services shows patients you care about their health and well-being as their chosen physician. Maintain good relations by calling or emailing days after treatment to ensure their issue is resolved. If not, offer to schedule a follow-up appointment.

6. Invest in Training and Onboarding Staff

Training your staff in healthcare knowledge is beneficial in ensuring they deliver unparalleled customer service. Immersing themselves in industry expertise asserts their confidence to assist with any medical issue. New patients will rest assured knowing they’re in competent hands.

Effective sales techniques can be developed with a significant understanding of the healthcare industry, helping increase patient volume.

7. Implement a Seamless Intake Process

Joining a new practice requires paperwork, but the process doesn’t have to be tedious. Efficient document verification, receipt, storing and sorting methods help medical staff remain organized to assist patients effortlessly.

8. Promote DME New Patient Outreach Plans

Target patients requiring durable medical equipment (DME) for home use by promoting outreach plans and strategies. Highlight specific features that distinguish your practice’s equipment.

9. Offer Staff Incentives

Motivated staff are as valuable as online reviews and word-of-mouth advertising. Inspire loyalty and employee satisfaction by offering monetary incentives and recognition like employee of the month awards. Although incentivized, providing the best customer service helps boost new patient acquisition.

10. Target Younger Patient Demographics With Discounts

Some young patients may benefit from extra assistance with medical bills. If possible and applicable, target them by offering discounts on visits and treatments they might not be able to afford otherwise. Focusing on this market helps create long-term patient loyalty as they are more likely to stay committed to your practice as they age.

Partner With Us for Revenue Cycle Management and Multichannel Customer Engagement Services

DME Service Solutions is your solution for cost-effective and compliant healthcare operations services. Our client-centric approach focuses on prioritizing your needs. With transparent reporting and communication on performance, progress, trends and concerns, we provide insight into all aspects to gain our clients’ trust.

For more information about our customized workforce services, call us at 619-727-6279 or submit a contact request form!