Are Your Chiropractic Assistants Advocating Patient Retention?
CA CORNER
Holly Jensen
Holly Jensen, has served chiropractic since 2002 as the CA and Office Manager at Dr Miles Bodzin’s Chiropractic Wellness Center in California. She also serves as COO for Cash Practice® Systems. As a Professional Speaker, she has trained thousands of DCs and CAs on patient attraction, enrollment, and retention, boosting cash collections. Email her at bookings®, cashpractice.com for speaking engagements or directly at [email protected]. Watch her inspiring story at TheCallingMovie.com.
Chiropractic assistants can create a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages patients to return for future visits.
“Making care affordable isn’t all it takes to increase patient enrollment and retention”
“Care plans are the foundation of patient retention.”
“Patients who are presented with a care plan and know the game plan for their treatment are much more likely to start and stay under care. “
Over the past few years, chiropractic care has become increasingly popular, offering a noninvasive alternative to medical treatments and prescriptions for many conditions. However, with the rise in popularity, chiropractors must figure out what will set them apart and make them the doctor of choice for their patients. As a result, doctors and their teams are working hard to recruit new patients and keep existing ones. For many practices, patient retention has become a significant challenge.
Patient retention refers to the ability of a chiropractor to retain their patients over time. It’s necessary because it directly impacts clinical outcomes and the practice’s profitability. Several factors can influence patient retention, including the quality of care, the cost of treatment, and the convenience of scheduling appointments. In addition, chiropractic assistants can play a crucial role in patient retention by serving as patient advocates and representatives of your practice.
Chiropractic assistants are an integral part of any chiropractic practice. They are responsible for various tasks, including scheduling appointments, managing patient files, preparing treatment rooms, and assisting with patient care. They have direct contact with patients and can significantly influence then experience at the practice. They can also serve as an advocate for patients, helping ensure that they receive the care and attention they need to achieve their health goals.
One of the primary ways chiropractic assistants can directly help patient retention is by providing exceptional customer service. Patients expect a high level of service when they visit a healthcare provider, especially when they’re paying out of pocket. This includes everything from greeting patients with a smile to answering questions about their treatment.
Many doctors say that your front desk will make or break you. You can be an amazing chiropractor, but if patients don’t like dealing with your front desk for appointments, phone calls, billing, etc., they will go elsewhere. People want to feel special when they go for service and will avoid places that may cause feelings of conflict and negativity. Chiropractic assistants can create a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages patients to return for future visits. They can take the time to listen to patients, share any concerns with the doctor, and make sure that their needs are met throughout their course of care.
Chiropractic assistants can also improve patient retention by educating patients about the benefits of chiropractic care. Many patients are unfamiliar with the various conditions that can be treated. By educating patients about the benefits of care, chiropractic assistants can help patients understand the value of their treatment. This can build trust with patients and encourage them to return for future visits.
Another way that chiropractic assistants can promote patient retention is by creating personalized care plans based on the doctor’s clinical recommendations. Each patient is unique, and their treatment should reflect their individual needs and goals. Chiropractic assistants can work with the doctor to create customized care plans that address each patient’s specific needs and concerns. This can help patients feel valued and important, increasing patient retention.
Chiropractic assistants can also boost patient retention by assisting the doctor in providing follow-up care. After a patient receives treatment, it is essential to follow up with them to confirm that they are making progress toward their health goals. Chiropractic assistants can follow up with patients to check on their progress, answer any questions, and offer additional support when needed. This can help patients feel cared for and supported, which can lead to increased patient retention.
In addition to these strategies, chiropractic assistants can also use technology to develop better patient retention. For example, many chiropractic practices use patient-management software to track patient information, schedule appointments, and manage patient files. Chiropractic assistants can use this technology to communicate with patients via email or text message, send appointment reminders, and provide educational resources. This can keep patients engaged with the practice while they receive the support necessary to achieve their health goals.
Ultimately, the role of a chiropractic assistant is to support the chiropractor in providing the highest quality of care to patients. By serving as patient advocates, chiropractic assistants can help improve patient retention and ensure that patients receive the care and attention they need to achieve optimal health. In addition, by working together as a team, chiropractors and chiropractic assistants can create a practice environment focused on patient care and success.
