How to Acquire New Patients: A Comprehensive Guide

Written By Scott Heatherly
How to Acquire New Patients: A Comprehensive Guide
Blog Patient Acquisition

1. Refine Your Web Presence

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for attracting new patients. Start by ensuring that your website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for search engines. Consider hiring a professional web designer to create an attractive and functional website that reflects your practice's values and services.

Search engines like Google prioritize websites that are optimized for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). A refined web presence with relevant content, optimized keywords, meta tags, and backlinks improves your search engine rankings, making it easier for potential patients to find you online.

Adds credibility and trust: A professional and informative website instills trust and credibility in potential patients. It serves as a digital representation of your practice, showcasing your expertise, qualifications, services, and patient-centered approach.

 

2. Build Your SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is essential for improving your website's visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). Conduct keyword research to identify relevant search terms related to your specialty and location. Optimize your website's content, meta tags, and headers with these keywords to rank higher in search engine rankings.

Patient Education: Your website is a valuable tool for educating patients about various health conditions, treatments, preventive care measures, and wellness tips. Providing reliable and easy-to-understand information helps patients make informed decisions about their healthcare.

 

3. Ask for Reviews

Positive reviews can significantly influence potential patients' decisions. Encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and Healthgrades. Respond promptly to both positive and negative reviews to show that you value patient feedback and are committed to providing excellent care.

Feedback and Reviews: Your website and online platforms allow patients to provide feedback, share testimonials, and leave reviews. Positive reviews and testimonials can attract new patients, while addressing negative feedback demonstrates your commitment to patient satisfaction and continuous improvement.

 

4. Appointment Convenience: 

Offering new patients an option to easily book an appointment online drastically improves patient access to care, reduces wait times, and enhances overall patient satisfaction.

Moreover, offering flexible scheduling options, including same-day appointments for urgent concerns, encourages patients to show up promptly at their scheduled times.

Telemedicine options or virtual care services for patients who prefer remote consultations or have difficulty visiting the practice in person is also a great, convenient option.

Amenities’ Provider Search and Scheduling offers a one-of-a-kind solution that easily allows new patients to schedule appointments, based on their location and/or next-available slots. 

 

5. Quickly convert consumers into clients

Allow your prospects to quickly create their own account on your platform, whether it be an online portal or a mobile app. By seamlessly onboarding them and exposing them to your brand, you increase your chances of first appointment conversions.


6. Offer Convenient, Tech-Friendly Options

Embrace patient portals thanks to Amenities’ Portal Integration that allow patients to access their medical information, view test results, and communicate securely with your practice.

Encourage lapsed patients to engage with your patient portal if you have one. Highlight the benefits of accessing medical records, scheduling appointments online, requesting prescription refills, and communicating securely with healthcare providers.

 

7. Re-Engage Lapsed Patients

Don't forget about patients who haven't visited your practice in a while. Develop strategies to re-engage lapsed patients, such as personalized email campaigns, special offers, or reminders for preventive care appointments. Show them that you value their ongoing health and wellness.

Personalized Communication: Reach out to lapsed patients with personalized communication. This could include sending personalized emails, letters, or postcards addressed to the patient by name. Use empathetic language and express genuine concern for their well-being.

Reminder Calls and Messages: Make proactive reminder calls or send SMS/text messages reminding lapsed patients about the importance of regular healthcare visits. Highlight any new services, technologies, or improvements in your practice that may be of interest to them.

Follow-Up Surveys: Send follow-up surveys to lapsed patients to gather feedback about their previous experiences and reasons for not returning. Use this feedback to address any concerns, improve patient satisfaction, and tailor your re-engagement strategies.

 

8. Post Regular, Relevant Content on Social Media

Social media platforms are powerful tools for connecting with potential patients and showcasing your expertise. Create a content calendar and regularly post educational content, patient testimonials, practice updates, and health tips. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly.

Patient Engagement: Engaging content such as blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media updates foster ongoing patient engagement. Regularly updating your website with fresh content keeps patients informed, encourages interaction, and strengthens patient-provider relationships.

 

9. Invest in Paid Search and Advertising

Consider investing in paid advertising campaigns to reach a broader audience. Utilize pay-per-click (PPC) ads on search engines and social media platforms to target specific demographics, geographic areas, and keywords. Track the performance of your ads and adjust your strategy based on analytics data.

10. Provide a Great Patient Experience

Deliver exceptional patient experiences at every touchpoint. Train your staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive to patients' needs. Focus on creating a welcoming and comfortable environment in your practice, from the waiting room to the exam rooms.

  • Empathy and Communication + respect and dignity

  • Warm and Welcoming environment

  • Patient-Centered Care with Personalized Care Plans

 

11. Participate in Wellness Events

Engage with your local community by participating in wellness events, health fairs, and community outreach programs. Offer free health screenings, educational seminars, or workshops to demonstrate your commitment to promoting health and well-being beyond your practice walls.

 

Key takeaways

As the competition in the healthcare industry is as fierce as ever, healthcare providers must embrace new technologies in order to attract and convert consumers into new patients.  By leveraging new methods such rapid registration, portal integration or provider search, healthcare providers can also foster long-term patient relationships and loyalty.

Top 10 Benefits of Quick Patient Registration
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