Unified Practice

It’s no secret that the relationship between acupuncturists and their patients is valuable. It’s a mutual understanding built on trust, education, and, most importantly, active communication. In addition (and when done right), this engagement leads to better acupuncture outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, practice growth, and enhanced patient retention. But how do you create this level of patient engagement? Better yet, how do you keep it strong once you’ve got it? 

Keep reading for effective patient engagement strategies you can start applying one by one in your practice. 

8 Acupuncture Patient Engagement Strategies

1: Send Educational Newsletters

Newsletters are a great way to keep your patients informed and engaged. Sharing tips, articles, and updates about acupuncture and holistic health can provide valuable content that resonates with their life and goals. For these, you can include information about upcoming events, new services, or promotions to keep your patients excited about what your practice offers. Remember, the goal is to be helpful, so be sure to tailor the content to reflect what your patients care about.

2: Utilize Follow-Up Messages

A simple follow-up email or text message after each appointment can go a long way toward showing your patients you care about them. These personalized messages can also remind patients of aftercare tips and encourage them to share their experiences or ask questions. 

Examples:

• “Just a friendly reminder to follow the aftercare instructions we discussed during your appointment. If you have any concerns, we’re here to help!”
  
• “We hope you’re feeling well after your recent appointment. If anything has changed or you have any new concerns, please schedule a follow-up consultation.”

3: Offer Virtual Wellness Check-Ins

Convenience matters and should be part of your patient engagement strategies. One way to demonstrate this is by using virtual consultations. Schedule brief consultations to discuss their progress, provide guidance on any lifestyle changes, and address concerns they may have. Overall, virtual check-ins like these can keep your patients engaged with their treatment plan, even when they are not physically with you in a session. 

4: Create a Patient Portal

Kick your practice up several notches by creating an online portal where patients can easily access their treatment history, upcoming appointments, and personalized content. This could include resources such as meditation guides, dietary advice, or self-care tips. Along the way, encourage patients to track their progress through their account so they and you are always on the same page. 

5: Share Engaging Social Media Content

Social media is a wonderful way to connect with your patients outside your practice. Through these media, you can share regular updates that include health tips, success stories, and behind-the-scenes content. These can also spark patients and potentially new patients to comment, share, and maybe even participate in online challenges you create. It might sound strange, but creating an online community like this can help patients feel connected to your practice more. That is a level of engagement worth the effort. 

Tips:

• Provide health tips that your patients can easily implement in their daily lives. 
• Share patient success stories (with their consent).
• Give a glimpse into your day-to-day. This humanizes your practice. 
• Ask questions and encourage discussions in your posts. 
• Design fun challenges that motivate patients to engage with their health. 

6: Provide Personalized Health Tips

Start sending personalized health and wellness tips that support unique conditions and goals. This small gesture can hugely enhance your patient’s experience and show them that you care. Here are some areas you might want to focus on:

• Diet Adjustments
  Share easy yet effective diet suggestions that could support their treatment. For instance, if they’re dealing with inflammation, recommend foods rich in omega-3s, like salmon or flaxseeds.
  
• Exercise Routines
  Suggest easy exercise routines that could amplify treatment results. Whether it’s a daily stretch routine or a brisk walk, these activities can boost their energy levels and complement their acupuncture sessions.
  
• Stress Management Techniques
  Everyone could use a little stress relief. Offer tips like deep breathing exercises, meditation apps, or even simple yoga poses they can do at home to help manage stress.
  
• Lifestyle Changes
  Encourage lifestyle changes that align with their acupuncture goals. If they’re looking to improve sleep, recommend setting a consistent bedtime or creating a calming nighttime routine.

7: Host Monthly Webinars or Q&A Sessions

Think of monthly webinars or Q&A sessions as an engaging online meetup for all things acupuncture. These interactive sessions are a perfect opportunity to connect with your patients and give them the ability to learn more about acupuncture in an open-dialogue setting. With these, you can cover topics spanning tips for seasonal wellness to insights into stress relief techniques. In addition, you can influence participants to ask questions and share their experiences. This alone can turn those sessions into a community-driven discussion. 

In short, webinars and Q&As are great for spreading fresh information. Furthermore, all while connecting with your patients in real time.

8: Implement a Rewards Program for Engagement

Implementing a rewards program can be a game-changer in boosting patient engagement. This is because it offers an enjoyable and motivating experience for them. For example, a points-based system can get patients excited about participating in various things, such as attending webinars, following aftercare instructions, or even referring friends to the practice. Though great on their own, offering incentives is the secret to getting the most out of this strategy. Some great ones include:

• Discounts on Future Treatments
  Everyone loves a good deal. Offering discounts on future treatments can be a huge incentive for patients to stay engaged.
  
• Free Sessions or Wellness Products
  How about a complimentary massage session or maybe some free wellness products? These perks can go a long way in making patients feel valued.
  
• Exclusive Access to Special Events or Workshops
  Make patients feel like VIPs by giving them access to exclusive events or workshops. It’s a great way to build community and deepen relationships.

Communication is Key

The bottom line? Effective communication is the root of all successful patient engagement. What’s more, tools like Unified Practice’s advanced communication solutions can simplify and enhance those interactions. With core features like automated reminders, core secure messaging, and much more, you can be confident that every small step you take to boost your patient engagement strategies will lead to large results. Learn More. 

You don’t have to implement every strategy all at once to see growth and satisfaction rates peak. Start with one or two that align with your practice’s goals and build from there using a communications tool you can trust. Start your 7-day free trial.