Practice tip of the week: Making an emotional connection with patients

© Matias - stock.adobe.com

With all the useful information available on Physicians Practice, it is easy to become overwhelmed.

With this in mind, the tip of the week is a chance to reflect on some of the wisdom found all across the site. In the September 2021 article Making an emotional connection with patients, Bob Levoy writes the following:

Patient satisfaction doesn't guarantee patient loyalty. Something more than satisfaction is required to achieve loyalty: an emotional connection that makes patients feel valued, cared for, and understood and keeps them coming back.

1). Have a positive regard for patients - Give your patients the respect they deserve. Apologizing for long waits is a good start - it shows them that you value their time.

2). Listen with intensity - It's been said that active listening is a skill that's easy to understand but difficult to practice. Yet, listening may be the ultimate sign of respect.

3). Express empathy - Listen for feelings. Try to understand each patient's concerns from his or her vantage point.

Click here to read the rest of the article and be sure to check back next week for another Tip of the Week!