Why would a patient drive past a qualified surgeon to have surgery with your practice?

Surgical practices and physician liaisons often tell me that distance is one of the main objections they hear from potential referring partners.

So let me ask you this…

If you are a skilled, concierge surgical practice who offers an exceptional patient experience, why wouldn’t a patient drive to have surgery with you?

Just this morning at the bus stop, my neighbor was talking about how excited she is to have LASIK this week.  She can’t wait to get out of her glasses.

So of course my ears perked up and I just had to ask a few questions.  Here is what I learned…

My neighbor is having her LASIK procedure with the surgeon that her optometrist recommended.  She did not even consider other surgeons because she trusts her optometrist and believes that she has her best interest at heart.  

Her procedure is being co-managed by her optometrist and she will be driving across town in early morning rush hour to see her optometrist for her one day post op exam.  

Here’s a twist…

 My neighbor will actually be driving past the surgeon’s office to have her post operative care with her optometrist that she knows and trusts.

And she’s happy about it.

So what does this mean for you and your practice?

Patients will go to the surgeon their doctor recommends.

In our world of unlimited and overwhelming options, it’s a relief when someone we know and trust cuts through all the noise and makes a recommendation we can count on.  

Have this conversation with your referring partners.

Who do they trust to provide the best results? 

Their patients want to know.

What patients don’t want is guesswork and surgical outcomes left to chance.

And...

Just like my neighbor…

When it comes to great care, patients will make the drive.