By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 4 Physician Referral-Building Mistakes That Spoil Your Reputation
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > 4 Physician Referral-Building Mistakes That Spoil Your Reputation
Business

4 Physician Referral-Building Mistakes That Spoil Your Reputation

Stewart Gandolf
Stewart Gandolf
Share
3 Min Read
physician referral building mistakes
SHARE

The business of physician referrals—that stream of new cases and revenue—depends on maintaining a solid relationship with colleagues. Doctor-to-doctor patient referrals rely on a trust and confidence that goes beyond your CV, clinical skills, and professional experience. Your reputation is on the line. I have the good fortune to travel throughout the country working with healthcare practices “up close and personal.” To clearly understand, diagnose and resolve some physician marketing issues, it takes an on-site perspective. Often, it is the in-office, micro-view of the doctor (and not the 12-page curriculum vitae) that have a negative influence on reputation among fellow physicians. Doctors rarely, if ever, speak ill of fellow doctors. Consequently, a professional referral stream will silently evaporate when colleagues lose a sense of personal confidence. Do these doctor referral-building mistakes happen in your office?

Poor communication or dialog. Referring physicians maintain senses of connectivity with each of the patients they refer. A family physician, for example, expects timely feedback from a specialist regarding the care and treatment of “their patient.” Hearing only silence from the specialist’s practice can imply a lack of provider (or patient) follow-through. It could also suggest a lack of appreciation for the referral.

Treating staff rudely. Real or imagined, word gets around. Physicians, who appear to have a lack of professional respect for their staff, or for the staff at the referring office, are wearing down the practice-to-practice relationship. Your reputation and continuing referrals are in jeopardy when a referring practice can easily point a patient in another direction.

Showing off your wealth. You will not find this one written down, but it happens often. Nobody argues with the idea of success in business, but excessive or ego-driven displays can rub patients and colleagues negatively.

More Read

cloud services
Evaluating and Choosing Healthcare Cloud Service Providers
MedShare – Recycling Medical Supplies for the Good of the World
Beyond the Buzz: 25 Content Ideas for Your Healthcare Blog
Favorite Quotes from TEDx Maastricht
Surprises in New York A.C.A. Enrollments

Front desk blunders. Patients who are referred to a specialist are following a continuing care path. But the specialist’s front desk—where they were referred and believe they are expected—can easily make them feel unwanted. Perhaps they experience difficulty making an early appointment, or they overhear staff “badmouthing,” or they are not greeted by name. A negative “first impression” reflects badly on both providers.

When physician referrals are the financial lifeblood of a specialty practice, mistakes like these (and dozens of others) can and will spoil your reputation among colleagues as well as the patient public. A critical ingredient to getting it right, and avoiding these mistakes, is to have a proactive system that establishes, maintains and extends relationships…and assures a continuing stream of professional referrals.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Cost Spotlight: A 443% Markup on Prescription Drugs

May 1, 2012
BusinessMobile HealthNewsRemote DiagnosticsTechnology

Connectivity In Medical Devices Provides Critical Information in Real Time

December 28, 2011

iPad App Makes Dermatology Offices More Efficient

June 6, 2013
Revenue Cycle Management
BusinessFinanceHospital Administration

Revamping Your Revenue Cycle in 2015: 7 Things to Consider

December 9, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?