Every now and then one comes across an article where it's unclear whether the writer is serious or just pulling one's leg.
That's the case with the article linked below that I came across recently.
That's why I'm labeling this thread as Friday-humor-question-mark. Maybe the writer is serious or maybe he's just having fun.
The article asks doctors
" ... when’s the last time you showed how thankful you are for those who come into your office? If you don’t do this often, realize that 82% of clients will leave if they think you don’t appreciate them."So, to keep this undesirable outcome from happening, the article insists that doctors just need to employ more incentive gimmicks to keep their patients happy and coming back.
Things such as:
Monthly patient appreciation day. ("You could offer food everyone enjoys like bagels or pizza to people who come in, even if it’s not for an appointment"). (Like, "Pizza Friday?")
Have a recurring prize giveaway or door prizes on certain days. (I imagine a free box of catheters would be a real hit).
Have a regular party or picnic somewhere and invite all patients.
Feature a "Patient of the Week" on the office website.
And some others.
(And, if I may also suggest, how about
free restaurant gift coupons after the fifth appointment? Or maybe free lottery tickets with every annual check-up?).
So, was this article on the level, or is it just something worthy of a Friday Humor thread?
Well, I for one have never been a patient in a medical office that was doing any of these things, and I suspect I would feel uneasy about
it if I were. At least until I got to know the doctor, and became convinced that he was for real as a medical professional, and just had an "unconventional" way of trying to keep his patients happy.
But I suppose such an approach could work under the right circumstances. I remember that there was a lady pediatric dentist here in Gainesville a few years ago, local TV did a story on her, who decorated her office in a highly child-friendly atmosphere, with lots of toys, balloons, bright colors, children's music and the like everywhere in her office, even in the examining rooms. Maybe it did help put the kids at ease, I don't know.
But such "incentive" measures as described above in a regular medical office? Not so sure about
that.
BTW, the website hosting this article describes itself as " ... committed to providing innovative, web-based solutions that improve our clients’ cash management and customer relationships."
Guess they've got some medical office clients interested in " ... cash management and customer relationships?"
Nothing wrong with that, I guess, but when such "solutions" are applied in a standard, adult medical environment, such as a doctor's office, maybe the resulting image created is less appealing, and less effective, than may have been previously thought would be the case.
OTOH, if you're okay with getting free lottery tickets after undergoing outpatient surgery, good luck scratching those tickets!
https://etactics.com/blog/patient-appreciation