When practices improve patient communication, patient satisfaction will improve, leading to a better reputation and new patients. There is no doubt that patient-centered communication can be a driving force behind revenue increases and business growth for today’s dental practices.

Technology Empowers Patient-Centered Communication

There is no shortage of technology options available in the marketplace today. For that reason, providers can feel overwhelmed when deciding which solutions will help them achieve their goal of delivering quality patient-centered communication. We recommend focusing your efforts on the following digital communication tools.

  1. Patient Portals

A patient portal lets patients access account details, request or cancel appointments, and review educational materials. In addition, patient portals also provide a convenient way for patients to communicate with their providers and get expedient answers questions.

Because patient portals are accessible online 24/7, patients can log in at their convenience, even after hours or weekends. Patients will appreciate the opportunity to learn on their own time without needing in-person encounters. That way, patients can feel empowered to take charge of their care and make choices to achieve better outcomes.

2. Mobile Apps

Through a mobile app, your practice can seamlessly manage patient communication anytime, anywhere. Patients can reach out at any time with a question or to let you know if they’re running late for an appointment. This can help reduce inbound calls and the time your team spends playing phone tag when responding to patient’s calls.

Also, a mobile app gives you the ability to access patient information on the go. Access information including appointment history and communication preferences to best address patient concerns. Your practice can manage appointments on the go and receive instant notifications when a new patient appointment request is made.

3. Text Messaging

Is there anyone you know that doesn’t have a cell phone? Most people check every text message they receive, including those from businesses. If you try to reach patients via text messaging, they’ll see your message and are more likely to respond. You should make the most of this opportunity by making text messaging a part of your communication strategy.

Many practices use texting for appointment reminders to help reduce costly no-shows. Text messaging are also useful for collecting patient reviews. Your practice can send automated review requests by text message after each patient visit. By making it easy for patients to leave feedback, you can increase your reviews on sites like Google, Yelp and WebMD. This can also boost your search engine ranking and enhance your online reputation.

4. Email Campaigns

Email has been a mainstay of business communication for decades and remains a cost-effective way to stay in touch with your target audiences. Email marketing makes it easy to improve patient communication between visits. You can provide education through a monthly email that updates patients on conditions, relevant trends, and more.

Advanced email solutions also let you segment audiences to deliver more personalized messaging. For example, with segmented emails, that practice can customize content for young adults, middle-aged patients, and seniors. That way, patients will receive information that resonates with them instead of communications that feel less relevant.

You can also use emails to remind patients about upcoming appointments. Set up campaigns that align with a patient’s current treatment status. You can send more frequent emails to patients undergoing active treatment and less frequent outreach to those who require less.

Choose the Right Technology for Patient-Centered Communication

Running a practice isn’t easy, but the right technology can streamline your operations. While operational efficiency is important, you also need to focus on delivering the best possible experience to every patient. Fortunately, advanced automation solutions can provide the best of both worlds–automation of many routine tasks and opportunities for patient-centered communication.

If your patient communication software cannot accomplish these or you don’t have a solution, it’s time to consider Demandforce. Visit henryscheinone.com/demandforce or 833.429.1132 for a product walkthrough.