10 Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Patients

February 1-7 has been designated as Patient Recognition Week. This is an annual opportunity to pamper your patients and show them just how much their loyalty to your clinic is appreciated. Here are 10 ways to recognize and appreciate your patients!

1. Hand Out Thank You Notes

Whether it’s a typed out note you hand to everyone, or a prepared card that you have your clinicians hand write messages on, a simple thank you note can be a powerful tool to keep you in the forefront of your patients’ minds. Everyone loves to be told Thank You, and a note is the simplest way to get started.  

2. Sending Out a Patient Satisfaction Survey

With many free survey services out there, sending out a questionnaire to gather feedback from your patients not only helps you improve but allows them to feel that their input is valued, and their voices are heard. This can help you know where you’re doing really well and perhaps make changes that your patients would like to see.

3. Recognition Social Posts

Highlight specific patients or showcase testimonials and reviews your clinic has received. This can be an easy way to use resources you already have or to put a spotlight on patients that have had an impact on your practice. Here is a template for a social post to get you started: 

4. Handing Out Appreciation Snacks

A healthy granola bar, a bag of tasty chips, or even just a bowl of candy to snag something sweet from can make your patients feel appreciated as they head out the door after their appointment. Finding a way to get your branding on the packaging can be an added touch of marketing to this idea.  

5. Decorate Your Waiting Room

All it takes is some inexpensive crepe, some paper hearts, maybe a banner or two and your waiting room can really showcase how you feel about your customers. This can also be a great way to get your staff to contribute to the celebration of your patients and allow them to put their personal touch on the effort.  

6. Let Your Patients Decorate Your Waiting Room

If your staff doesn’t have the time, give the job over to your patients! Put out some slips of colorful paper and let your patients write messages on them to tape on a wall or pin to a bulletin board. Or perhaps if you have a whiteboard at your disposal, simply wheel that out to the waiting room, supply some markers, and let your patients fill it up with notes and messages.

7. Hand Out Some Swag  

Branded pens, totes, hats, or other items can be a fun way to do something special for your patients and get the word out about your clinic at the same time. Or make it an enter-to-win opportunity with some higher value items! This can be a fun way to gather emails and get your patients excited about an opportunity to support you.  

8. Hold a Patient Appreciation Event

This can be a simple “come and grab a free donut,” or a whole coordinated event you plan to the nines. How involved you get is up to you, but an event dedicated to your patients can go a long way in showing them how much they are valued at your clinic.

9. Patient Education

Offer some resources to your patients that can assist them in their health, fitness, or knowledge of the resources you already offer to them that they might not know about. This can be accomplished through brochures or flyers you hand out, or perhaps a webinar or similar educational event you hold.  

10. Update Your Clinic and Offerings

Make sure you have the best to offer your patients with the latest technology and innovations. Once you make the updates, be sure to share them with your patients through email notifications or social media posts so they’re aware you’re doing your best to offer them the best. Below are some recommendations to get you started.