How To Get More Patient Referrals In Your Private Practice

You’ve done it – you’ve made the decision to start your private practice and you’re ready to take the next necessary steps.

This comes with all the excitement and freedom of starting a new business, but you might have some concerns, too.

Will you be able to get enough patient referrals now that you’re on your own?

What’s the best way to build up your network so that you can keep up a sustainable business?

Here at Symbiosis, we offer private practice management solutions to help with every step of your journey as a clinic owner.

But you also get the benefit of tapping into the Symbiosis network of healthcare providers that can help grow your referral network.

In the meantime, here are some other ideas for getting more patient referrals so you can grow your network.

Let’s get to it.

Beyond Marketing

We all know private practice digital marketing is where a lot of healthcare providers sink their resources when they’re looking to get new referrals for their clinic.

RELATED: Best Practices For Marketing Your Private Healthcare Practice

And it works great – but there are other ways to supplement it as well.

Private practice digital marketing is helpful for all, but it’s a good idea to have multiple sources for new patients.

Referrals are how you reach out to your network and get new patients without relying solely on your digital marketing resources.

Let’s talk about some ideas that go beyond marketing for growing your private practice.

1. Network With Other Healthcare Providers

First on your list for getting new referrals should be networking with other healthcare providers in your area.

These are the professional contacts who will keep you connected to your wider network of potential referrals.

This can include former coworkers at your corporate job, classmates from school or residency, other professionals in your area, and even patients who may be healthcare providers themselves.

If you have a special interest in treating a certain disorder or population, it’s a great idea to network with other specialists in the area.

A massage therapy practice, for example, might refer to a physical therapist.

Or a dermatologist might refer out to an acupuncturist.

Don’t forget to reach out to general practices too though.

Family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics practices are often looking for reliable referrals to specialists as well.

By keeping contact with, and growing, your network you’re keeping doors open that would otherwise not be there.

2. Ask Your Patients For Referrals…

When it comes to getting referrals, what better source than from your patients?

Focusing on a high quality of care can make it so your patients naturally want to refer their friends and family to you.

Word of mouth referrals go a long way, so make sure to encourage your patients to spread the word if they’ve been happy with the care they’ve received from you.

Encouraging them to leave a Google review can also make a big difference in growing your practice, so you can ask for either.

If you’re not sure how to encourage this, consider leaving a little A-frame sign on your receptionist’s desk asking for them.

Of course, this is best only for patients who are satisfied with your care.

RELATED: How To Deal With A Dissatisfied Patient In Your Private Practice

3. …And Teach Your Staff To Ask As Well

This energy doesn’t all have to come from you personally, either.

If your healthcare support staff is equally invested and engaged in your practice your patients will notice.

If everyone in your office is working as one to build rapport with your patients, your patients will want to give back some of that energy and spread the word.

It also helps to connect with offices that will be referring to your practice to make sure that relationship and the referral process is simple and easy.

4. Connect With Your Community

When building your network, one of the most valuable things you can do is become an active participant in your local community.

Participating in local charitable events is a great way to make sure you’re enmeshed in your community and show that you’re giving back.

Going to local events and camps, both online and offline, will increase your presence and grow your referral network in an organic way.

If you’re focusing on a specific population you’re interested in treating, reach out to some organizations that serve them.

Making yourself known in such groups, as well as getting added to a potential business directory they may have, can be a great source of referrals.

5. Above All Else, Provide Excellent Healthcare

Of course, the absolute best thing you can do for your practice is provide the care that people are looking for.

Be an active participant in your patients’ care and ask them what they’re looking for in a healthcare provider.

Then, do everything you can to exceed those expectations.

If your work speaks for itself, everything else may fall into place.

By providing consistent quality care, your patients will refer their friends and family to you naturally.

How Can Symbiosis’ Medical Coworking Space Help?

Here at Symbiosis, a medical coworking space in Washington DC, we’re in the business of helping healthcare providers start and grow their private practice.

And of course, a big part of that is growing your patient referral base.

If you opt to start your own private practice with Symbiosis, you’ll get access to a variety of different strategies to help you get your private practice to profitability as soon as possible.

You’ll get plenty of opportunities to network with other Symbiosis private practices, creating new referral sources.

You’ll get access to our private practice consultant staff who are trained to help you get new patients and improve retention of your existing patients.

Symbiosis also has an expert digital marketing team for healthcare providers to help you attract more of your ideal patients to your practice.

We’ll work to get your private practice to profitability as soon as possible.

To find out more about how Symbiosis can help you build and grow your private practice…

Contact Symbiosis To Start Your Own Private Practice Today

If you’ve been holding off on starting your own private practice, this may be the time to go for it.

Here at Symbiosis, we make it easy.

Contact Symbiosis to start your own private practice today.