We’re getting reports from many clients that they have been called by the “Scheduling Institute,” Jay Geier’s group. Mystery shoppers will call posing as a patient. The patient is usually asking for a fee on a crown, or saying they just moved to town looking for a Doctor, or want to know if the practice takes kids, etc.
This is the Scheduling Institute’s way of finding prospects. The Scheduling Institute has a detailed and extensive program focused on the initial patient phone contact with the office.
Surprise! Almost every office they call earns a 0 on a scale of 0 to 5 for handling calls effectively. Therefore, Dentists are told that they stand much to gain by subscribing to their program… that new patients can go up by 30% or more with thorough staff training.
There is much that the Scheduling Institute recommends that we agree with, but not all. We’ve been doing “Mystery Shoppers” ourselves for over 25 years. We agree with Jay Geier on this…doing things right can add to your new patient flow. Like the Scheduling Institute, we find that most often the initial phone contact with patients is a matter of screening, warning and indoctrination.
For example, there is often way too much focus on insurance and x-rays. Even very competent, well-meaning front desk people can present a bureaucratic and cold presence.
However, before you sign up for a $5,000 program, let me assure you that we can help you and your staff with this. In some cases, we feel that the Scheduling Institute is too aggressive, maybe not “Midwesternly” enough. So, if you got “0 stars” call us and we’ll help. If you don’t know what your rating is and want a “Mystery Shopper,” we’re happy to do it for you. Just call and we’ll make arrangements to ensure patients’ and shoppers’ first contact with your office is first class.
We want the “Mystery Shopper” not to be the Secret Police though. We want to work with your staff… not to catch them doing it wrong but to catch them doing it right!
Photo credit: theunsecretshopper.com