How to put patients at ease and add value to your private clinic
There is a lot of fear at the moment around our health due to the pandemic and people are avoiding booking their dentist checkups. We share with you some ways you can ensure the safety of your clinic and reassure your patient's safety to return back to their overdue appointments.
2 minute read
20th October, 2020 | Remarcable
We have been hearing it a lot lately...the fear of attending regular checkups at the doctors or dentist mainly due to the concerns around the safety and hygiene against Covid-19. On the surface it is understandable, why go if it is not an emergency and risk implications. However, these are just your fears creating a mental escape around your anxieties, wanting to stay protected. The reality is that regular checkups are a necessity for our health (which is our number one priority) they can even be prevention to avoid an 'emergency' visit.
The demand for global healthcare is rising and the use of artificial intelligence is making a real impact on the future of health. Yet, the recent pandemic has shaken everyone up, creating distrust, fear, and uncertainty around visiting our local clinics. What can be done to ensure the safety and comfortability of your patients when visiting your clinic? In the private healthcare and dentistry sector, you have that control in ensuring the correct safety measures are in place and making sure your patients feel at ease to book their checkups and actually attend.
So, what can be done?
Think like your patients:
As a private clinic owner put yourself in the shoes of your patients. What would you expect if you were them? For example:
1. Limiting the number of people in the waiting room
2. Placing perspex screens in between the waiting room seats
3. Encouraging the use of hand sanitizer by having it widely accessible
4. All PPE measures in place
5. Have clear signs showing what operations are in place for more frequent cleaning
6. Thorough cleaning in between patients
Think ahead:
Before anyone books in an appointment at the clinic be sure to make it transparent that everyone has Coronavirus screening questions to adhere to. Click here for government patient screening questions.
We are humans:
We know that we can get rushed off our feet and there are only so many hours in a day, but treat your patients with patience. Make them feel heard and valued rather than feeling like another number on a conveyor belt.
Keep your patients informed:
Transparency is key to trust and with all the uncertainty at the moment the more information you can give the better. Regularly check up on your patients through phone calls and emails, let them know that you are there for them, and remind them of what protocols you have in place to ensure their safety upon their visit to the clinic.
In summary changes to your clinic are needed and probably for the better for our future. Higher hygiene measures are so important in clinical settings more so now than ever. The power of design allows us to exceed the challenges of creating spaces that take all factors into consideration, that are functional, practical, and safe whilst still appearing aesthetical and impressionable. All whilst having your key driving business element in mind...your patients!