When patients walk into your office, what do they see? Do your staff greet them warmly? What type of equipment is your facility using? Put simply, the perception your patients have of your practice directly affects its value, more so than any other factor. If your patients perceive your practice as average, its value will follow suit. Luckily, this factor is heavily influenced by you, the practice owner and by being mindful of how your patients and community perceive your practice, you can guarantee to get the upmost value out of it as well as having a positive impact in your community.
The relationship your patients have with your staff is of the utmost importance to patient perception of value. Do your hygienists’ talk to their patients as they would a close friend? Or are they griping about the weather or personal problems? Making sure to employ staff that engage your patients and provide a warm and personal experience will guarantee a prime perception of value. In addition, how does your staff respond to patient needs? Do they respond in an empathetic manner? Do they practice urgency when the situation calls for such? Addressing patient concerns in an empathetic and urgent manner will help to increase patient satisfaction and in return, perception value.
The perception your patients have of your practice does not stop when they leave the chair. Make a point to ensure you and your staff are active members of the community. By participating in fundraisers for local schools or charity events, you show your community that you value it and its members. In addition, events in the community provide great networking opportunities for your practice to expand its breadth. AH