How can we reengage with patients?
A recent poll by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that up to 49% of Americans are delaying medical care. Practices are finding it difficult to stay connected with their patients and keep them healthy and cared for amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing a clear strategy to stay connected with patients will benefit both your patients as well as your practice.
- Identify patients who have:
- Chronic conditions that need follow-up care
- Cancelled or missed appointments in the past six months
- Lab/diagnostic studies due
- Comprehensive physical exams due
- Call patients to schedule appointments. This will provide them an opportunity to ask questions.
- Send letters, emails, portal messages, and/or text messages that outline office hours and pandemic processes.
- Update your practice website with new information (e.g. office hours and processes).
- Update your office hours on social media accounts.
- Consider posting a short YouTube video showing new processes (face coverings, hand sanitizing, social distancing, etc.).
- Consider offering a telehealth visit for patients who are skeptical or unwilling to come to your office.
- Stay in touch with your patients and document your efforts!
Resources:
All Curi recommendations are based on current CDC criteria at the time of publication. CDC guidance for SARS-CoV-2 infection may, or may not, be adopted by state and local health departments to respond to rapidly changing local circumstances. Providers should always check with their local health department to see if the CDC’s guidance on any given topic has been modified (particularly if more restrictive) from the CDC’s recommended guidelines. Follow this link https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/index.html for contact information to your state/local health department. If local recommendations vary from those of the CDC, and you are unsure what recommendations to follow, then it is safer to follow the more restrictive guidelines/recommendations.