Using patient endorsement stories to increase service line use may sound like fluff, but when used correctly, it is one the best tools to effectively connect with potential patients. Why? People want to know you understand their core problem and that your hospital has solved that problem for other people who were in the same boat.

It is key to understand the core problem. For example, if the person has a wound that won’t heal and is a candidate for a wound care center, it seems the problem is the wound. It is certainly part of the “problem,” but the key issues are far more likely to be: time spent driving out of town for treatment at a larger facility and the issues around losing a half day each week of the course of treatment or not having transportation at all. Or, not understanding what happens when wounds don’t heal and aren’t treated; or being unsure about the quality of care at a smaller hospital. By using appropriate, authentic patient endorsements, you can directly address the core problem in the context of the physical problem. When people feel heard and feel you understand and are able to solve their problem, they are much more likely to use your services.

The challenge for community hospitals is finding the time to plan, the time to write the stories or perhaps not having a writer on staff; the time plan the campaign, get the releases signed, and create the graphics.  In addition to these very real roadblocks, there may or may not be someone on staff who understands how to identify the (real) problem and create the tools to reach new patients.

This webinar outlines clear steps for identifying core problems in your service lines from the patient’s perspective and provides specific materials for creating the materials needed for effective, consistent promotion campaigns. Using these tools will streamline your communications and make it easier to connect with potential patients using endorsements.

Learning Outcomes

• Participant will be able to identify the patient’s core problem(s) in the context of the physical problem for more effective communication
• Participant will understand how to create a campaign using patient endorsements in a streamlined manner that saves time, is consistent and delivers results.

Additionally, attendees will receive free materials including: 

• a checklist for core problem identification
• an outline of the questions to ask your participating patient
• an example endorsement story that highlights key aspects
• a release form
• example graphics