Have you thought about why a potential patient might pick your place for care instead of another, or even choose a competitor over you?
A survey by Software Advice, which asked 1,000 U.S. patients, showed that most people prefer independent private practices over those big corporate-owned ones.
Looking into how patients make their choices can really open your eyes, letting you tweak your services to fit what they’re looking for. It’s not just about getting more patients through the door – it’s about building trust and keeping them coming back.
Let’s explore what potential patients might like or dislike and how you can use this info to make your practice more appealing to them.
The Appeal of Independent Practices
Personalized Care
Patients like going to independent healthcare providers because they get more personal care. The same survey showed that 78% of patients value the closer relationship they have with their provider. Also, 60% of them trust these providers more, and 57% think the quality of care is better.
Clearly, many patients find the close doctor-patient relationship at independent practices something special and irreplaceable.
Shorter Wait Times
Time is of the essence in healthcare, and independent practices often lead the way in lessening wait times for appointments and consultations. This part of care shows how private practices are not just convenient but also focused on being efficient and putting patients first. A study using phone surveys highlighted the frustration many people feel with the long waits to see family doctors in public clinics, leading many to go to private doctors instead.
Community Support
Another factor in patients preferring independent healthcare practices is the support for local businesses. The same survey by Software Advice found that 58% of people prefer local businesses, like healthcare providers.
This trend is because of a growing interest in sustainability and helping the community. Choosing local practices makes patients feel they’re boosting the local economy and enhancing community cohesion. This strengthens the bond between healthcare providers and communities, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem.
Patient Concerns with Independent Practices
Insurance Coverage
Many people are wary of choosing independent healthcare providers because they’re worried about insurance coverage and higher costs.
Independent practices might not have deals with insurance companies, making it hard for those with insurance to access services.
Telemedicine Services
In 2021, 37.0% of adults used telemedicine in the past 12 months, showing a growing preference for the convenience and accessibility it provides.
However, the slow adoption of telemedicine by independent healthcare practices is affecting patient choices, pushing them toward larger, technologically advanced practices. This underscores the critical role of telemedicine in contemporary healthcare, especially for individuals with mobility challenges or tight schedules.
Speed in Healthcare Delivery
A key factor in patients preferring corporate-owned healthcare practices over independent ones is the speed of service. Corporate entities offer faster care due to their large infrastructures, advanced technology, and bigger workforce. This not only affects convenience but also affordability, as efficient service reduces time away from work. However, independent practices lag in this area, highlighting a crucial opportunity for improvement to meet patient expectations.
Conclusion
In summary, small healthcare practices today face big challenges, like dealing with insurance, providing telemedicine, and delivering fast service.
These issues make some patients prefer bigger, corporate practices with better technology and services. However, smaller practices have the advantage of offering more personal care. To stay competitive, they need to improve in telemedicine, work closely with insurance, and become more efficient. Doing this can help close the gap between small and large healthcare providers, giving patients more options that combine personal care with high efficiency.
