Whether they’re choosing a dermatologist or booking a hotel, today’s consumers are savvy, careful, and willing to do their homework before making a decision, especially when it’s something as important as their health care.
There’s stiff competition out there, and people have a lot of choices when it comes to doctors and clinics. So exactly how do patients choose a dermatologist, and what are the best practices that dermatology companies can adopt to help make their practice stand out amongst the competition and attract new patients?
This month Derm Care Billing Consultants looks at five factors that help patients find and decide on a doctor.
- Patient Reviews – When researching dermatologists, people want to see positive reviews of both clinics and doctors. Popular websites such as Yelp or Google Reviews will have patient reviews that name specific doctors and even show pictures of their procedures. It’s also important that dermatology companies have reviews and patient testimonials on their own website to show that they have a number of satisfied patients who were able to get the treatment they needed. If your business has a Facebook page, potential patients will also want to see positive reviews there.
- Word of Mouth/Referrals – People who are shopping around for a dermatologist will frequently turn to their primary care doctors, family and friends for first-hand referrals and recommendations. In addition, they seek advice in online community groups, especially on social media where people freely share their experiences – both positive and negative. This is why having a good reputation is a crucial part of attracting and retaining patients through word of mouth.
- Insurance Coverage – Patients need to be able to find clear information about exactly what insurance the dermatologist accepts and whether or not the specific treatments that they need will be covered. This is where Derm Care Billing Consultants can help because our Dermatology Billing Specialists are experts at coding, claims, fee schedules and more. Having this information available to potential clients will help them find the right doctor to meet their needs and meet their budgets.
- Credentials and Experience – A dermatologist’s website should clearly show their practitioners’ specific training credentials and whether or not a dermatologist is board certified with the American Academy of Dermatology. Derm Care Billing Consultants provides Credentialing Services to verify your practice and provide the proof of your areas of expertise so potential clients can easily find information about your doctors and their specific services.
- Areas of Expertise – Patients turn to dermatologists for a wide range of skin issues. When looking for a doctor, potential clients will want to know if the doctor has the training and experience with the specific type of dermatology treatment that they need, and even whether or not the clinic owns the necessary equipment to perform these services. A patient’s skin colour can also influence their decision as they will want a doctor who has experience treating specific skin types and colours. Your website should therefore list this crucial information and make it easy for people to find.
- Accessibility – Nobody wants to wait six months for an appointment. Patients will want to know how quickly they can see a doctor and start treatment. Dermatology companies should therefore make it easy for potential patients to gather information, access their services, make appointments, and contact the office if they have questions. Our Dermatologist Consultants can help you streamline these services, including front desk training, patient calls, patient collections and more, in order to provide quality customer care.
- A Good First Impression – We are all human and we all have feelings. Health care is a very personal subject, and ultimately all patients want to find a doctor that is caring and compassionate. A good bedside manner is crucial; a doctor that makes people feel unheard or ignored, or a clinic where patients feel neglected by the staff, will not get good reviews and referrals. After the first consultation, if a patient feels uncomfortable or disappointed, they will keep shopping around. At the end of the day, patients want to know they are in good hands and that the doctor is focused on helping their specific needs and concerns. And if they are happy, they’ll in turn promote your business to others.
Dermatology companies need to have these best practices in place so that potential patients can access your services and have their needs met. If you need professional assistance in patient management, billing, front desk training, credentialing and more, contact one of our Dermatologist Consultants today to make your office professional, accessible, and successful in retaining current patients and attracting new ones.
