The text messaging platform is highly convenient for both staff members and patients. Healthcare practices need to capitalize on this robust communication tool. Studies reveal that 85 percent of consumers prefer a text message as opposed to a phone call or an email. Text messaging is a prompt way to exchange important information without taking much time. Text messaging for patient care can be used to ensure that patients arrive at their appointments and stay updated between doctor visits.
Why is text messaging a good communication option for practices?
The text messaging solution is preferred by patients as it is simple to use and easily accessible round the clock over our smartphones. Text messages can be easily sent by patients to their practice, and practices cannot miss out on reading messages from patients. This helps to improve and strengthen the communication link and leads to better engagement levels.
Response rates of text messaging are positive. According to Learning Hub, people are 4.5 times more responsive to text messages as compared to emails.
This comes to the golden question as to how medical practices can leverage this powerful platform to retain and attract patients. If practices use this tool effectively then great benefits can be realized in the form of retaining existing patients and getting new patients on board who would like to seek medical services from you.
4 Ways to use Text Messaging at your clinic
Here are four ways in which practices can use text messaging to keep patients satisfied and loyal.
- Use your practice’s website to boost conversation – When a patient browses through your website they might be a potential client for your healthcare service. It makes sense to include a call-to-action in the form of text messaging, online scheduling, or contact number. Patient scheduling EMR Software is a convenient tool for busy patients to book online appointments in a breeze. But there might be patients that are not completely ready to schedule an appointment with you since they might have certain queries. When you offer conversation options from your website through quick messaging patients can text your practice for an appointment.
- Improve personal communication with patients – Text messages are simple, convenient, and offer a prompt way of communication. It is a great tool for exchanging information with a healthcare provider. According to the patient perspective survey report, one in four patients prefer receiving provider responses over messaging. A secure, two-way messaging can facilitate practices to quickly communicate with their patients, respond to questions, and can be used for appointment confirmations as well.
- Used for appointment reminders – Appointment reminders help to combat the issue of no-shows and missed appointments. Since text messages have an open rate above 90 percent, appointment reminders can be sent to patients via text messages and patients prefer receiving appointment reminders over messaging.
- Streamline the patient payment process – Practices can simply send a reminder to patients to complete their payments online by attaching a link. This way the number of steps needed to secure patient payments is reduced and the patient experience is also enhanced.
Final Takeaways
Text messages are simple yet powerful if clinics and practices use them effectively to their advantage. Using text messaging solutions is a smart way to keep consistent communication channels with your patients and enhance patient satisfaction scores.
