11 May How To Maintain Your Referral Sources During COVID-19
At Prescription PR, we understand the importance of medical practices having a steady source of referrals. Maintaining relationships with referring physicians in your area requires regular communication whether that be in-person, online, or via phone. Prior to COVID-19, in-person office visits and scheduled meetings with local physicians would be considered a critical component. Fortunately, there are still ways to build and maintain relationships without in-person communications as we navigate this new normal. For more information on how our team can help, please continue reading.
Phone Calls
While much of the world feels like it is currently on pause, the need for medical assistance never rests. Whether you are a cardiologist, physical therapist, or other specialty practitioner, patients can find themselves in need of your care at any time, and your physician partners need to know the most up to date information about your office’s appointment policy. Based on the Pareto principle, 80% of your referrals will come from 20% of your partners so it is critical that you maintain these relationships. Having your team or one of our physician liaisons schedule calls with these referring offices will ensure that your practice is top of mind. It is also important to make connections during this time with new offices as they may be looking to refer patients to your specialty.
Personalized Emails
Personalized Emails Although phone calls are great, sometimes a visual representation of your services will have a larger impact on a practice’s referral decision. In the digital age, it would be almost unheard of for a practice not to have an email address, making email the perfect method of maintaining referrals. In these emails, you should provide:
- A detailed description of how you’ll care for potential patients.
- COVID-19 Precautions.
- A link to your website for easy access.
- Digital copies of any marketing materials and practice brochures.
- Snippets of past client reviews that show satisfaction.
Eblasts and Newsletters
In the same vein as the previously mentioned method, sending out e-blasts and newsletters will also be beneficial. These newsletters can focus specifically on any updates to your practice and showing how you’re keeping the public protected during these trying times. By providing information via e-blasts, it once again can build goodwill and have practices reaching out to create a referral network.
Social Media
One final way to maintain referral sources includes the use of social media. Although we must all remain physically distant for the time being, social media is one of the many ways that allow us to stay connected. Engaging with other practices on social media will show them you’re still active and willing to treat patients. Practices may also notice the large number of followers you have, which can point to a high customer satisfaction rate and increase their willingness to refer patients to you.
We Can Help With All Of These
The global situation may currently look bleak, but we all must remember that eventually, this will pass. The practices that can successfully navigate through the COVID-19 crisis will have a leg up on their competitors when this comes. Keeping your referral sources during these times may be difficult to do on your own, which is why you should consider teaming with us at Prescription PR. Our staff consists of expert communicators, and they will seamlessly share any details or messages you want to be conveyed. We have numerous workarounds for the inability to make physical visits, which we want to help you utilize. For more information on these services, be sure to contact us today!