Managing Patient Expectations: The Art of Finding and Keeping Loyal Patients Hardcover - 1998

From the rear cover

Satisfied patients refer, dissatisfied patients deter. Patient retention, referrals, and the personal rewards of medicine are all closely linked to quality relationships developed with patients. Patients value experiences in which their unique preferences are identified and respected. When these preferences are realistic, successful organizations find ways to remember and honor them. But even when unrealistic, a patient's preferences must be managed in a way that preserves and improves the relationship.

In this important resource, Susan Keane Baker--an expert in the field of physician practice management and patient satisfaction--describes how to develop the qualities of understanding, empathy, and compassion that help to meet and exceed patient expectations. Managing Patient Expectations is filled with realistic and cost-effective strategies for maintaining patient satisfaction, creating loyalty, and increasing referrals. This practical guide explains how to find out what patients really think and how physicians can best respond in a variety of situations.

Managing Patient Expectations is filled with winning techniques and illustrative examples from some of the country's leading health care facilities. The book maps out how to

• Identify patient expectations
  
• Generate positive word-of-mouth comments from patients and staff
  
• Enhance listening skills
  
• Respond effectively to patient complaints and adverse patient outcomes
  
• Build loyal patient relationships

Written for all members of the health care team, the book reveals the vital role that each person plays in managing patient expectations. Baker offers practical yet effective techniques for all types of patient interactions-- from answering the phone to encouraging patient follow-through-- that will create loyalty, improve outcomes, and build strong patient relationships.

Strategies for Building Satisfying Patient Relationships
Understanding expectations, and how they are created and influenced, is the key to developing mutually beneficial patient relationships. Managing Patient Expectations is filled with winning techniques and illustrative examples from some of the country's leading health care facilities.

"This book fills a huge void in the areas of medical education and the delivery of patient service. The clear advice about how to identify and respond to patient needs and preferences is essential reading for physicians and those who work with them. If the personal rewards of medicine are important to you, read this book."--Joseph A. Lieberman, III, M.D., M.P.H., chairman, department of family and community medicine, clinical professor of family medicine, Thomas Jefferson University

"Winning teams depend on the loyalty and enthusiasm of every member. Here, in one place, is all you need to know about creating that same kind of loyalty and enthusiasm in your patients and staff."--Lou Holtz, former head football coach, University of Notre Dame

"Malpractice claims are often the result of unmet and sometimes unrealistic patient expectations?with an overlay of miscommunication. Baker's book gives practical advice that easily translates into loss prevention lessons."--Peggy Berry Martin, director of education, Harvard Risk Management Foundation

From the jacket flap

Satisfied patients refer, dissatisfied patients deter. Patient retention, referrals, and the personal rewards of medicine are all closely linked to quality relationships developed with patients. Patients value experiences in which their unique preferences are identified and respected. When these preferences are realistic, successful organizations find ways to remember and honor them. But even when unrealistic, a patient's preferences must be managed in a way that preserves and improves the relationship.

In this important resource, Susan Keane Baker--an expert in the field of physician practice management and patient satisfaction--describes how to develop the qualities of understanding, empathy, and compassion that help to meet and exceed patient expectations. Managing Patient Expectations is filled with realistic and cost-effective strategies for maintaining patient satisfaction, creating loyalty, and increasing referrals. This practical guide explains how to find out what patients really think and how physicians can best respond in a variety of situations.

Managing Patient Expectations is filled with winning techniques and illustrative examples from some of the country's leading health care facilities. The book maps out how to

• Identify patient expectations
  
• Generate positive word-of-mouth comments from patients and staff
  
• Enhance listening skills
  
• Respond effectively to patient complaints and adverse patient outcomes
  
• Build loyal patient relationships

Written for all members of the health care team, the book reveals the vital role that each person plays in managing patient expectations. Baker offers practical yet effective techniques for all types of patient interactions-- from answering the phone to encouraging patient follow-through-- that will create loyalty, improve outcomes, and build strong patient relationships.

Strategies for Building Satisfying Patient Relationships
Understanding expectations, and how they are created and influenced, is the key to developing mutually beneficial patient relationships. Managing Patient Expectations is filled with winning techniques and illustrative examples from some of the country's leading health care facilities.

"This book fills a huge void in the areas of medical education and the delivery of patient service. The clear advice about how to identify and respond to patient needs and preferences is essential reading for physicians and those who work with them. If the personal rewards of medicine are important to you, read this book."--Joseph A. Lieberman, III, M.D., M.P.H., chairman, department of family and community medicine, clinical professor of family medicine, Thomas Jefferson University

"Winning teams depend on the loyalty and enthusiasm of every member. Here, in one place, is all you need to know about creating that same kind of loyalty and enthusiasm in your patients and staff."--Lou Holtz, former head football coach, University of Notre Dame

"Malpractice claims are often the result of unmet and sometimes unrealistic patient expectations?with an overlay of miscommunication. Baker's book gives practical advice that easily translates into loss prevention lessons."--Peggy Berry Martin, director of education, Harvard Risk Management Foundation