Patient reviews play a pivotal role in the success of your medical practice, whether you acknowledge it or not. We understand that it can sometimes feel unjust that a few “star ratings” can have such a significant impact on your reputation and business.

The Influence of Online Reviews

In today’s digital age, potential patients are likely to research you online long before they decide to make an appointment. The reviews they encounter, filled with experiences and opinions from your existing patients, will significantly shape their perception of you and your practice before they even walk through your doors.

Online reviews do more than just provide potential patients with insights into the quality of care you offer. They act as a powerful marketing tool that can influence your visibility and reputation within the community. When patients leave positive feedback about your services, it helps enhance your online presence by boosting your SEO (search engine optimization). This means that when people in your area search for medical services or specialists in your field, your practice is more likely to appear at the top of search results.

Why Reviews Matter

Having a robust collection of positive online reviews is like having a treasure trove of personal recommendations at your disposal. These reviews not only reassure potential patients about the quality of care they can expect but also serve as a guiding light that directs them towards your practice.

Think of patient reviews as a navigational beacon that helps steer potential patients in your direction. Each review, whether it’s a detailed account of a patient’s journey or a simple rating, contributes to a larger narrative about your practice’s reputation. Positive reviews can make your practice more attractive to new patients, while even constructive feedback can provide opportunities for improvement and growth.

In essence, patient reviews are more than just comments on a webpage; they are vital signals that help build trust and credibility in your practice. They can significantly influence how potential patients perceive you, impact your practice’s visibility online, and ultimately, contribute to your overall success.

Patients can’t review you if they can’t find you

Before you can expect patients to leave reviews about your practice, it’s essential to ensure they can easily find and access your business profiles on various review platforms. This visibility is the first step in garnering feedback and building your online reputation. Reviews are not just about getting a high number of responses; they are also about the quality of the feedback you receive. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a strategy that maximizes both the quantity and quality of reviews.

To make the review process as effortless as possible for your patients, it’s important to establish a presence on multiple popular review sites. This approach allows you to meet your patients where they already are, making it convenient for them to share their experiences. Ensure you have well-maintained profiles on several key platforms where patients are likely to look for information and leave reviews. Some of the most effective sites for this purpose include:

• Google: A profile on Google is perhaps the most crucial. Google business reviews are highly visible in search results and maps, which means they significantly influence the first impression of potential patients searching for healthcare services.

• Healthgrades: Specializing in healthcare reviews, Healthgrades allows patients to rate and review their healthcare providers based on various metrics like bedside manner and wait time. A well-maintained profile here can help you attract new patients by showcasing your strengths and addressing any concerns.

• Yelp: Known for its extensive review network, Yelp is a go-to platform for many people searching for local businesses, including healthcare providers. A comprehensive profile here can attract a broad audience.

• WebMD: As a leading source of health information, WebMD provides patients with the opportunity to review and rate healthcare providers. A profile on WebMD can lend additional credibility to your practice, as many patients turn to WebMD for trusted health advice and information.

• Facebook: Beyond social networking, Facebook offers a robust review system where users can rate and comment on their experiences with your practice. Having an active profile on Facebook can increase your visibility among a large and diverse user base.

• LinkedIn: While primarily a professional networking site, LinkedIn also allows for reviews and endorsements that can enhance your professional credibility and connect you with other industry experts.

• Angi (formerly Angie’s List): This platform is especially popular for service-based businesses, including healthcare practices. Patients can leave detailed reviews and ratings, making it a valuable resource for prospective clients looking for trustworthy healthcare services.

When and How to Ask Patients for Reviews

Collecting reviews from patients can significantly boost your practice’s reputation and attract new patients. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how and when to ask for reviews effectively:

1. On Appointment Reminder Cards

Include a brief, friendly request for reviews on the back of your physical appointment reminder cards. You can say something like, “We value your feedback! Please share your experience with us online.” This subtle approach keeps the request front-of-mind without being intrusive.

2. Through Email and Text Messaging

After their appointment, send a follow-up email or text message thanking patients for their visit and inviting them to leave a review. Provide a direct link to your preferred review platform along with easy-to-follow instructions. For less tech-savvy patients, include detailed steps or even a short video tutorial to help them navigate the review process.

3. Snail Mail Postcards

For patients who prefer traditional communication methods, sending a postcard with a personal touch can be very effective. Craft a thoughtful message expressing your appreciation for their visit and kindly ask for their feedback. While this method involves higher costs, it can lead to more heartfelt and detailed reviews.

4. Make it Part of the Front Office Routine

Train your front office staff to request reviews during patient check-out. Equip them with talking points like, “We hope you had a pleasant experience with us today. If you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave a review online to let others know about your visit.”

5. Create a Thank You Video

Videos are highly engaging, and they can effectively convey your gratitude. Record a short, friendly video thanking your patients for their trust in your practice and kindly ask them to leave a review. Share this video through your email newsletters and social media channels.

6. Utilize Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great places to engage with your patients. Post a friendly reminder encouraging satisfied patients to share their positive experiences. Include direct links to your review pages to make the process as easy as possible.

7. Display Review Requests in Your Office

Place signs or posters in your waiting area and exam rooms asking for reviews. A simple sign that says, “Loved your visit? Leave us a review!” with a QR code leading to your review page can be very effective.

8. Use Follow-Up Calls

After a procedure or appointment, follow up with a phone call to check on the patient’s recovery or satisfaction. During this conversation, gently remind them how much their feedback means to you and encourage them to leave a review.

9. Offer Incentives (Ethically)

While you must adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations, consider offering small tokens of appreciation, such as discounts on future services, for patients who take the time to leave a review. Ensure your offer is transparent and does not violate review site policies.

10. Leverage Patient Portals

If your practice uses a patient portal, include a section where patients can easily leave feedback and reviews. Make it a seamless part of their online experience with your practice.

11. Follow Up with Personalized Thank You Notes

Send a personalized thank you note after the appointment, expressing gratitude for their visit and inviting them to share their experience. Handwritten notes can make a lasting impression and increase the likelihood of a review.

12. Host a Review Drive Campaign

Organize a review drive campaign where you set a goal for the number of reviews to collect within a certain period. Promote this campaign across all your communication channels, and consider celebrating the milestone once achieved with a small patient appreciation event.

13. Respond to Reviews

• Thank Positive Reviewers: Show appreciation for positive reviews.
• Address Negative Reviews: Respond professionally and constructively to negative feedback, showing a commitment to improving patient care.

Timing Tips:

• Ask Shortly After the Appointment: The best time to ask for a review is when the experience is still fresh in the patient’s mind, typically within a day or two of their appointment.

• Choose the Right Moment: Identify a moment when the patient is most likely to feel satisfied, such as after a successful treatment or a positive interaction with your staff.

• Avoid Peak Stress Times: Don’t ask for reviews during busy or stressful periods for the patient, such as immediately before a major procedure or during payment discussions.

Implementing these strategies thoughtfully and consistently can help you gather valuable patient reviews, enhancing your online presence and building trust with potential new patients.

Use an Online Reputation Management Software

Asking patients to leave online reviews and managing your reputation is a time consuming job that could be better spent providing quality care to your patients. Using an reputation management software for doctors would be a key asset in easily asking your patients for more reviews, improving your patient service recovery process, and managing all of your reviews in one place.

• Automated Systems: Employ software that automates the process of requesting and managing online reviews.

• Monitor Reviews: Use tools to monitor reviews across various platforms and respond promptly.

By implementing these strategies, doctors can effectively encourage their patients to share their positive experiences, thus enhancing their online reputation.