The top 4 practice growth resolutions for 2020
Written by: PatientPop—
A new year is a great time to make positive changes — hence the popularity of resolutions. If you’d like to grow your practice in 2020, it’s time to set the framework.
Here are a few New Year’s resolutions tailored toward practice growth. Incorporate them into your 2020 plans to take your practice to the next level.
1. I resolve to prioritize my web presence so I can attract new patients
Three-quarters of patients (74.6 percent) look online to learn more about a doctor, dentist, or medical care, according to PatientPop. If your web presence is lacking, it’s probably difficult for prospects to find your practice — or enough about it to make an informed decision.
Only 64 percent of small businesses have a website, according to Clutch. If your practice doesn’t have a website — or the one you do have is lacking — upgrade in 2020 because you’re effectively turning away new patients.
Online directories also play a major role in practice growth. For example, Yelp receives an average of 91.3 million monthly web unique visitors, according to Yelp. If your practice isn’t listed on popular online directories — or the information noted is incorrect — it’s time for an update.
A robust social media presence is also necessary to grow your practice. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (72 percent) use some type of social media, according to the Pew Research Center. Maintaining an active account on popular platforms — i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram — will allow you to connect with new patients and introduce them to your practice.
2. I resolve to increase profit by expanding product and service offerings
Your current products and services have allowed you to build a solid patient base, but you’re ready to do more. Expanding your offerings will allow you to attract new patients and increase your bottom line.
Deciding exactly how to expand your suite of services can be a challenge. Find the perfect fit by considering your strengths as a provider, listening to patient needs, and taking inventory of your most popular services.
Every practice is different, so choose products and services that fit your unique patient base. This might even mean bringing in an additional provider with a specialized skill set that complements your own.
3. I resolve to hire more staff to increase patient satisfaction
If your practice is understaffed, patients probably aren’t getting the services they deserve. This isn’t going unnoticed, and it is likely impacting your patient satisfaction levels.
In fact, 30 percent of patients have walked out of an appointment due to a long wait time, according to Vitals. Furthermore, one in five people has changed doctors because of long wait times.
Hiring additional staff will make your practice more efficient. This will improve the patient experience because wait times will likely decrease and increased attention will show people you truly care about them.
Satisfied patients are excited to write glowing reviews detailing their experience. This is important, as only 53 percent of people would consider using a business with less than five stars, according to BrightLocal. Therefore, greater patient satisfaction levels will help you grow your practice.
4. I resolve to add more locations for greater patient convenience
When deciding when and where to seek medical care, finding a convenient location is a must for 23 percent of patients, according to Accenture. If you’re ready to expand your practice, really think about where to settle into your next location.
Take a close look at both where your current patient base is located, and examine the market for new patients. Use your findings to choose a location that meets patient needs and promotes future growth.
A few features to think about with a new location include parking, visibility from the road, and nearby competition. The spot you choose for a new location can make or break its success, so take the time to make an informed decision.
Practice growth doesn’t happen overnight, so start working to achieve your resolutions today. This will give you plenty of time to attract new patients, so you can achieve — or even surpass — your goals for 2020.
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