| In today's environment, chiropractors face many | | | | scheduled appointments. A variety of systems |
| challenges including escalating costs, lower | | | | can be put into place for no show control. For |
| reimbursement rates, and increased regulatory | | | | example, follow up phone calls be automatically |
| pressure. One key to operating a successful and | | | | scheduled in the system. Postcards can also be |
| profitable practice is how well a practice manages | | | | printed out and mailed in advance of scheduled |
| patient relationships. To effectively manage | | | | appointments to remind patients of upcoming |
| patient relationships, a patient relationship | | | | appointments. |
| management system is a necessity. | | | | What's the best way to select a patient |
| What is a patient relationship management | | | | relationship management system? Here are some |
| system? It is a system that assists in managing | | | | helpful tips: |
| all aspects of one's relationship with a patient | | | | 1. Ask other chiropractors what systems they |
| including but not limited to: | | | | are using and find out their opinion of the system |
| - Patient communications | | | | they are using. |
| - Patient record keeping | | | | 2. Contact a chiropractic association and find out if |
| - Patient records administration and processing | | | | they have reviewed patient relationship |
| What are the advantages of a patient relationship | | | | management systems. Associations can often |
| management system? Advantages include: | | | | provide helpful information about computer |
| 1. Improved "moments of truth"/patient | | | | systems. |
| experiences- A "moment of truth" is any moment | | | | 3. Determine what the specific features are that |
| where the patient interacts with the practice. This | | | | you are looking for in your system. You must |
| would include, but not be limited to, office visits, | | | | have a basic understanding of what you need |
| telephone communications, or other contacts such | | | | before you go shopping for a system. If you |
| as direct mail. | | | | don't know much about patient relationship |
| 2. Ability to easily customize treatment for each | | | | management systems, it pays to do your |
| patient providing higher quality treatment. | | | | research. |
| 3. Improved practice profitability | | | | 4. Always get proposals from at least three |
| What others ways can a patient relationship | | | | patient relationship management system providers |
| management system improve profitability? It can | | | | so that you can compare prices and features. |
| improve patient retention rates. According to a | | | | 5. Here's a list of some key questions to ask |
| recent general survey by the U.S. Chamber of | | | | patient management relationship vendors: |
| Commerce, people leave their current provider | | | | - How long has your company been in business? |
| because of a perceived attitude of indifference. A | | | | - How many employees do you have? Of those, |
| patient relationship management system can | | | | how many provide technical support? |
| increase retention rates because it facilitates | | | | - What hours do you provide technical support? |
| systematic communications and interactions with | | | | - Can you provide five references I can call to |
| patients on a scheduled basis. More frequent and | | | | hear what others have to say about your |
| proactive contact is one way to show that you | | | | system? |
| care about a patient's health. | | | | - What type of training do you provide? How long |
| A patient relationship management system also | | | | is the training? Where is the training provided? |
| facilitates customizing treatment to the unique | | | | - What type of system documentation and online |
| needs of a patient since the system provides an | | | | help do you provide with the system? |
| easy way to track patient visits and to plan a | | | | - When was the first version of your software |
| comprehensive program for the patient. | | | | released? |
| Cost reduction and control is another area where | | | | - How many versions of your software have |
| a patient relationship management system can | | | | been released to date? |
| have impact because such a system reduces the | | | | A patient relationship management system can |
| amount of clerical time required to process patient | | | | dramatically improve all aspects of your practice |
| records. | | | | provided you spend the time picking the right |
| A patient relationship management system can | | | | software and related vendor to provide it to you. |
| also reduce the number of "no shows" for | | | | |