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
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Medical Negligence
    The Impact of Medical Negligence: How Claims Can Help You Move Forward
    January 6, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
    PPACA: “It’s in there!”
    September 9, 2017
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Why Most Patients Don’t Make Referrals (and How to Fix That)
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 > Finance > Why Most Patients Don’t Make Referrals (and How to Fix That)
BusinessFinanceHospital Administration

Why Most Patients Don’t Make Referrals (and How to Fix That)

Lonnie Hirsch
Lonnie Hirsch
Share
4 Min Read
getting patient referrals
SHARE

getting patient referralsSomewhere in the recesses of their brains there’s a point of professional pride among doctors that tells them: “Being a good physician and providing excellent clinical care will carry the day for success in business.”

getting patient referralsSomewhere in the recesses of their brains there’s a point of professional pride among doctors that tells them: “Being a good physician and providing excellent clinical care will carry the day for success in business.”

Caring for the health concerns of people will please and benefit patients. And that satisfaction will bond them to the practice. Future and continuing care is a given, and patient referrals of friends and family will assuredly follow. What’s more, the office staff shares this perception and attitude.

We’re all in favor of top-notch medical care and positive, healthy outcomes. Few, if any, patient referrals would happen without this foundation of excellence. But here’s where wishful thinking smashes into reality. Nobody meant to lie to you, but being good does not guarantee success nor open the gates to a torrent of patient referrals.

More Read

The PCMH and Home Care Data: An Interview with Melissa McCormack
Good News and Bad News for Young Medical Professionals
5 Strategies For A Calm Staff Management During Covid-19 Crisis In Your Facility
Preparing for a HIPAA Audit and Avoiding Disaster [INFOGRAPHIC]
What To Know About Nutritional Supplement Packaging Safety

The incredibly simple reason that patients fail to make referrals is that nobody asks them to. More specifically, referrals occur when the office has a regular system (and mindset) in place that fosters referrals.

5 big ideas to help reshape your thinking…

To many providers, asking for referrals seems either out of place or professionally inappropriate. In fact, there are almost no real barriers, and there’s a strong opportunity for success.

Satisfied patients want to return the favor. Human nature is inclined to respond with kindness. People like helping others who have helped them, but they probably don’t know that a referral is an easy (and no-cost) way for them to act.

Referrals help the patient’s friends and family. Sure, a new patient benefits the practice, but your service is of greatest value to the individual(s) who has been referred.

Rejection is an imagined fear. Nothing drastic or dramatic follows a simple and polite referral request. At worst, perhaps the patient takes no action, forgets or simply declines. There is no real downside to asking.

People like doing business with people they like. In every business environment, customers feel a sense of confidence in working with those people they know. And when satisfaction is high, they willingly share this sense of trust with others. (Assuming they are asked.)

Individuals who make referrals are more loyal. In referring your services to a friend, the patient is reaffirming their own “purchase decision.” In short, they are more likely to remember and follow their own advice in the future.

Above all, the primary pathway to encouraging and inspiring patient referrals from people you’ve helped is…you’ve got to ask for referrals. Few patients will think of it on their own, but nearly all satisfied patients will respond favorably when asked.

TAGGED:Patient referrals
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025

You Might also Like

CVS
BusinessFinanceNews

Shocker: What’s Really Behind the CVS Tobacco Announcement

February 23, 2014
healthcare hashtags
BusinesseHealthSocial Media

Beyond the Buzz: A Guide to Analyzing Healthcare Hashtags

October 3, 2014

Benefits of Long-Form Content in Healthcare Marketing

May 27, 2014
BusinessGlobal HealthcareMedical EducationNews

James Huang, China Forum II Co-Chair, Investigates the Big Trends in Chinese Healthcare

December 21, 2011
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?