If I asked a room full of acupuncturists that question, my hunch is I would get two answers more than any others.
The first answer is obvious...
Patients come to see you to get acupuncture.
And while that is certainly true.
The second answer is more important…
Patients are seeking relief for a specific condition they are currently dealing with.
While both of these are technically true, that’s really only scraping the surface. Very few people wake up in the morning and get excited about acupuncture.
Instead, they get excited about what they REALLY get as a benefit of the acupuncture treatments they receive... And what is that?
They are excited when they wake up because they live...
A healthier, fuller and more vibrant life! The ability to feel well enough and have the energy to do the many things that make everyday life more fulfilling.
That is powerful and that’s the joy you’re creating in their lives. You reveal the true benefits your care offers to your patients. You transform and help them live a healthier, fuller, more exciting life.
You transform people’s lives! Everyday, with one needle, one person at a time!
Pretty amazing, right?
Attracting More Valuable Patients by Becoming More Valuable
The way to attract new valuable patients more quickly is to start becoming more valuable to them FIRST.
How? Through patient education.
The premise is quite simple and will certainly help you grow with a little extra effort initially.
This is one of the simplest, most effective ways to attract more patients. A focused Patient Education approach isn’t just talking about pain, allergies or digestive issues, it’s about diving deeper into the underlying value people experience under your care when they feel more balanced and healthier in life as a result of treatment.
When you do this, you stop focusing on “marketing” acupuncture, and you start focusing on helping patients achieve optimal health! That’s the value you give and bring to your patient’s lives.
Patient education is so important. Education equals value.
Patient Education Serves a Few Purposes:
-
Patients get better results.
Because they know what to expect and understand their treatment better when you explain how you are addressing their health concerns -
Make it easy for patients to explain.
Patients will explain to friends and family members, even co-workers the benefits of acupuncture AND REFER them to you. When you explain the benefits of acupuncture, patients who feel better are more likely to refer people to your care. -
Set the course and expectation.
When patients are educated about how many treatments they will need and the steps-of-care they will progress through, they’ll be more likely to complete the course of treatment. -
Quality of life and value.
When you educate your patients how you can help them improve their quality of life, you become more valuable to them and will incorporate you into their health maintenance routine.
As a caregiver, your acupuncture career will be centered around helping your patients lead healthier lives. That’s why patient education is vital.
Patients who understand the benefits, not just the features of acupuncture will understand healthy living goes beyond treating symptoms and signs. They are less likely to wait until they experience pain or discomfort before seeking more of your care. This is the power of patient education.
It’s easy to see, while patient education begins with helping one patient lead a healthy lifestyle, it can often expand to helping many more people experience the benefits of acupuncture. One educated, healthy patient can bring many new patients to your practice. Become valuable to them and your practice may grow exponentially.
Demonstrate your value to all your patients.
Be sure to YOU are the ONLY logical solution to their health problems and maintenance. Become valuable to them first and they will refer new patients to you.
Demonstrate to new patients the value of your care and… rinse and repeat.
See you next time,
Jeffrey Grossman, EAMP
“Become valuable. The real reason patients come to you for treatment.”