Creating Exceptional Patient Experiences
Fear of the unknown is a marketing problem in the profession. Patients who are living with chronic back and neck pain or plagued by migraines have such anxiety when it comes to the very thought of having their spines and necks “popped” that they will live a life of discomfort before entering our offices. As a profession, we need to be proactive in creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere to enhance patient experiences.
The Atmosphere
Creating a calming atmosphere is more than aesthetics. It includes the people in your office. It includes the ease of checking in, the time spent waiting to go into an exam room and the time it took to see the doctor. The exam process must be personal. As chiropractic physicians, we must realize that our knowledge of chiropractic and the healing process far exceeds that of our patients, who could be overwhelmed. Be present. Hear what your patient is saying and learn to pick up on what is NOT being said.
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One of our employees had never been to a chiropractor. Her fear of being adjusted was almost palpable. Her husband visited his chiropractor a couple of times a month and wanted their baby to be adjusted at birth. This was a source of contention between them. She suffered from chronic migraines and still refused to seek chiropractic care. One day, she woke up with a migraine, and, with a little coaxing, had her first adjustment. Seven years later, she is a devoted chiropractic patient and her baby, now 11, receives regular adjustments.
Fees
Giving your patients affordable payment options will help to keep additional anxiety at bay. Nothing can sour the mood of a great appointment like parting with a large sum of money. This is not to say that we shouldn’t be paid fairly for our services, but we must keep in mind that not all patients have chiropractic coverage. Having affordable and compliant fees for these patients will go a long way toward improving patient satisfaction.
Remember that patient experiences begin with the first phone call and continue throughout their care. Our goal should be to have patients feel comfort and satisfaction each time they think of chiropractic care. For more information on how ChiroHealthUSA is helping providers with affordable payment options for their patients, go to https://www.chirohealthusa.com/frof/
About the Author
Dr. Ray Foxworth is a certified Medical Compliance Specialist and President of ChiroHealthUSA. A practicing Chiropractor, he remains “in the trenches” facing challenges with billing, coding, documentation, and compliance. He has served as president of the Mississippi Chiropractic Association, former Staff Chiropractor at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center and is a Fellow of the International College of Chiropractic. You can contact Dr. Foxworth at 1-888-719-9990, info@chirohealthusa.com or visit the ChiroHealthUSA website at www.chirohealthusa.com. Join us for a free webinar that will give you all the details about how a DMPO can help you practice with more peace of mind. Go to www.chirohealthusa.com to register today.
