Sometimes, it seems like private practice owners forget that they’re running a business. If you disrespect your patients, they’re just going to go to your competitors; it’s as simple as that. So, it should be pretty obvious that patient turnover is the last thing a small private practice wants to deal with.

Overall, there needs to be a good patient experience because if there’s not, it means your bottom line is going to hurt. Plus, it’s a sign that something about their experience didn’t feel right. Maybe it’s the long wait times. Maybe it’s poor communication. Or maybe they just didn’t feel like they mattered. Whatever the reason, once a patient starts looking elsewhere, it’s tough to win them back.

Now, patient loyalty isn’t rocket science. It’s about creating an experience so good patients wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. So, with all of that said, here’s how to keep them happy and loyal and book their next visit.

Make It Personal

Healthcare is personal, so the experience should be, too, right? So, patients don’t want to feel like just another name on a chart; they want to feel like their provider knows and cares about them. Overall, just taking the time to ask about their concerns, listen to their worries, and maybe even remember that they just ran their first 5K? That’s the stuff that builds loyalty.

It’s the little things that stand out. For example, a quick “How’s that new puppy you mentioned last time?” or a genuine smile goes a long way in making someone feel like they’re more than just a time slot. When patients feel valued, they stick around.

Fix the Waiting Game

Nobody likes waiting. It really doesn’t matter if they’re just sitting in the lobby, awkwardly looking around, or even worse, having to wait for days for very stressful test results. Well, if you really think about it, nothing says “I don’t value your time” like a long wait. No, seriously, it’s entirely true.

Overall, office visits, tight scheduling, and clear communication can work wonders. Got a delay? Let patients know upfront that they might not be happy with the news, but at least they won’t be wondering because you told them. On your end, there are some things you can do (so not everything is entirely out of your control).

For example, if you don’t have a lab at your clinic (and most don’t), then you could team up with a local lab that offers digital pathology, for example, in order to speed up test results (and this does drastically shorten the wait time). Just think of it this way: faster results mean happier, less anxious patients, and that means loyalty.

Make Life Easy for Patients

Now, this can’t be stressed enough, but modern patients value convenience. So, if booking an appointment feels like pulling teeth or if follow-ups are hard to schedule, they’ll start looking for a practice that makes their life easier. Online booking? A must. Text reminders? Absolutely. How about offering telehealth for those who can’t make it in? Well, patients love that! Just do what you can to help them.