Sue Jacques

The Best Ways to Show Gratitude to Patients and Staff

Thanksgiving is a special time of year. Families, friends, colleagues, and even strangers go out of their way to gather together to share gratitude, reminisce about positive accomplishments, and feast on the bounties of life.

But why reserve appreciation for one special weekend? Especially since extending expressions of sincere gratitude on a regular basis can go a long way toward enhancing the general tone within professional, domestic, and community environments year-round.

The results of feeling gratitude extend beyond the recipients of thoughtful feedback, though. Expressing spontaneous and genuine words of kindness can have a positive impact on the benefactors of such sentiments, as well.

Here are six simple civility suggestions that will inspire you to genuinely - and generously - share your thankfulness.

a veteran forensic medical investigator turned corporate civility and professionalism consultant, speaker and coach who helps individuals and businesses gain confidence, earn respect, and create courteous corporate cultures.

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Sharing kind words with patients and staff is critical to building strong relationships. Here are six ways to show gratitude more effectively.


Freshen Up Your Practice Waiting Room

One of the negative consequences of spending countless hours at your office is that it can lead to a unique type of vision loss - one where you overlook the obviously drab decor that your patients see with startling clarity.

From reading material to wall color, keeping your reception area contemporary, clean, and comfortable is one more way to demonstrate that your medical skills are up to date. Why? If your surroundings are antiquated, patients may deduce that you are, too.

Here are seven budget-minded ways to refresh the atmosphere at your practice:

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From reading material to wall color, keeping your reception area contemporary, clean, and comfortable is one more way to demonstrate that your medical skills are up to date. 

Strong social abilities are crucial for personal and professional success. Patients, colleagues, and the medical community all benefit from a physician's ability to network and communicate with confidence. Moreover, mastering such skills enhances relationships, ultimately leading to increased career satisfaction and job security.

Socializing doesn't come naturally to everyone, though. Many people, including highly skilled doctors, can become paralyzed by feelings of discomfort in everyday networking situations. While networking and teamwork are commonly referred to as "soft" skills, they can be some of the hardest to master.

Here are seven ways you can polish your presence, both online and off.

These “soft skills” can be the hardest to master.

Seven social skills they don’t teach in medical school 

When my phone rang a few hours after I’d had bilateral eye surgery, I thought it was a friend or family member calling to check up on me. Instead, I was greeted by the voice of the ophthalmologist who had performed my procedure that morning.                                                            

In a conversation that lasted less than two minutes, my surgeon was able to personally assess my post-operative condition, answer the question I’d forgotten to ask before discharge and provide me with the comforting assurance that all was going according to plan. I felt very well cared for.

Of course, not every doctor has the time, the proclivity or the need to make follow-up calls on a regular basis. That’s where patient rapport managers come in.

Patient rapport managers are members of your team with healthcare experience who provide extra attention to patients on your behalf. Serving as a liaison between you and your patients and/or their caregivers, this person delivers the ad hoc follow-up you simply don’t have the bandwidth to offer. As a go-between for people on both sides of the examination table, patient rapport managers bridge any gaps between patients and practitioners.  

There are countless services patient rapport managers can offer including touching base with patients after an invasive procedure, a sudden illness, a trauma or an emotional event, such as the death of a family member. They can also review standard protocols, such as wound care or concussion management; assess compliance and the basic effectiveness of prescriptions or treatments; notify patients about scheduling changes or delays; and suggest appropriate after-hour referrals for agencies, such as home care or social services.

Most importantly, patient rapport managers can be on the lookout for any medical red flags that warrant your attention but might otherwise be missed. They can then notify you so you can be proactive in providing the necessary care.

How much do patient rapport managers work?

The number of hours patient rapport managers work depends entirely on the responsibilities you assign. This position is ideal for healthcare professionals who would like to work part time from home because follow-up calls or texts can be made from anywhere and often occur during the evening.

Or, you could have in-house patient rapport managers who make follow-up calls from your clinic as part of their daily routine. That’s what happened when I had a dermatologic procedure not long ago. As part of the dermatologist’s standard protocol, the nurse who assisted during the excision phoned the next morning to see how I was doing. I was familiar with her, and I welcomed her thoughtful call. It was a lovely touch.

What are the benefits of having patient rapport managers on staff?

Not only can this team member alert you to potential problems, their services add another layer of compassion to your already excellent standards of care by removing some of the barriers between you and your patients. They can also alleviate patients’ feelings of intimidation or frustration, calm fears and uncertainties, answer common questions and develop a sense of allegiance.

There is a financial benefit, too. While some doctors, like my ophthalmologist, prefer to make follow-up calls themselves, there’s no question that hiring patient rapport managers frees up physicians’ time to see more patients and ultimately make those calls less costly.   

A good place to start is with your current staff. Is there a registered nurse or physician assistant on your team who’s thinking about cutting back their hours? Is anyone talking about retirement or expressing a desire to spend more time at home with their children? Is there a staff member who’s got a special knack for connecting with patients?

Any of these people may be interested in working with you to take on and develop this position. Alternatively, you could start a job search for a medical professional who has experience as a hospital patient liaison or care ambassador. Once hired, you can work together to establish protocols, tasks and boundaries.

Adding a patient rapport manager to your clinic will build more than strong doctor-patient relationships. It will also help you build a loyal following and a burgeoning practice that is known for providing outstanding care that goes above and beyond expectations.

is a keynote speaker, consultant and author who specializes in medical and corporate civility. A former forensic death investigator, Sue performed the medical investigation of thousands of unexpected and violent deaths during her career at the medical examiner's office. She now helps people and practices prosper through professionalism

Patient rapport managers strengthen relationships between physicians and patients