Knowing What Turns Patients Off Can Be As Important As Knowing What Turns Them On ...

In fact, it's probably more important. When you know what it is about your practice, staff, procedures, fees, etc. that occasionally turns patients off ... you can correct it. If you know their objections, it gives you a shot at overcoming them.

It pays to listen to patient complaints. In fact, it pays to solicit patient complaints. Not only because studies clearly show that handling complaints quickly and satisfactorily will keep patients happy and coming back, but also because it will help you quickly correct real and perceived problems. And those corrections will not only make your prospects and patients happy ... but they will also make you happy when you look at your bottom line.

How should you solicit patient complaints?

Surveys ... If you give patients the option to submit anonymously, they're more likely to be honest with their assessment of your practice and with the complaints.

In-office complaint box ... Have a complaint box readily available in the waiting room (close to the door), with complaint forms that offers the option of submitting anonymously.

Eyeball-to-eyeball ... When you're meeting with -- or working on -- your patients, remind them that you want and will appreciate hearing from them when there's something bothering them about you, your staff and your practice.

When you welcome complaints amd resolve them quickly, and your practice will benefit.