Avoid Bad Patients with New Technology

Week 5 Blog 2024 4 Avoid Bad Patients with New Technology

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Imagine this scenario: you invest in a new technology that promises to help you avoid bad patients while being an excellent addition to your menu of services and attracting a wider audience of prospective patients.

You envision this innovation being a game-changer and a surefire moneymaker that practically “sells itself”.

However, before you heavily invest your time, money and effort in introducing this, it’s crucial to identify who is NOT a good target audience, just as much as knowing who is.

Because the last thing you need is for this investment to backfire, harming your reputation with bad reviews, creating negative dynamics with your staff, and worst of all, causing loyal patients to quietly leave your practice.

Not every patient will be the ideal candidate for an innovation you want to offer. So, to save you time and money and help ensure higher patient satisfaction, be sure you are saying NO to these problematic cosmetic patients:

Patients with Unrealistic Expectations

One of the primary groups to avoid targeting is patients with unrealistic expectations. These patients who expect dramatic transformations or instant results that the new technology cannot deliver will give you grief. They often base their expectations on celebrity looks or heavily edited social media images. Despite thorough consultations, managing their dissatisfaction post-procedure can be challenging and can negatively impact your practice’s reputation.

Tip: During initial consultations, clearly communicate the realistic outcomes and limitations of the new technology. Use your own before-and-after photos of previous patients (or your staff) to set appropriate expectations.

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Avoid Bad Patients with New Technology: Patients Seeking Immediate Results

Some patients seek immediate results and might not have the patience for the gradual improvements that some new technologies offer. For example, non-invasive treatments requiring multiple sessions to get a result, can be frustrating for patients expecting quick fixes.

Tip: Educate patients on the process and timeline for visible results. This helps set realistic expectations and reduces the likelihood of dissatisfaction.

Avoid Bad Patients with New Technology: Patients Heavily Influenced by Social Trends

Patients heavily influenced by the latest trends or fads might not be the best candidates for new technology. Their interest may be fleeting, and they may not fully understand or value the benefits of the procedure.

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These patients are often looking for the latest and greatest without considering if it truly suits their aesthetic goals.

Tip: Focus on educating patients about the long-term benefits and suitability of the technology for their specific concerns, rather than the trendiness of the procedure.

Avoid Bad Patients with New Technology: Financially Unstable Patients

Introducing new technology often comes with higher costs, both for the practice and the patient. Targeting patients who are not financially secure can lead to payment issues and dissatisfaction. These individuals might feel pressured or regret spending so much on a procedure they can’t comfortably afford.

Tip: Offer transparent pricing and discuss financing options. Ensure patients understand all costs involved before proceeding with the procedure.

Avoid Bad Patients with New Technology: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Candidates

Patients taking specific medications or have compromised immune systems, bleeding disorders, or severe allergies may face higher risks during and after the procedure. And watch out for patients with psychological conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

Tip: Ask lots of questions and review the patient’s medical history carefully during the consultation to help identify any potential risks.

Avoid Bad Patients with New Technology: Patients with Poor Compliance History

Patients who have previously demonstrated poor compliance with post-operative care instructions or follow-up appointments might not be suitable candidates for new technology. Non-compliance can lead to suboptimal results and increased risk of complications or less then stellar results.

Tip: Review the post-procedure care instructions during the consultation process and have them sign them agreeing they understand.

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Conclusion

By saying NO to the wrong patients, you avoid unnecessary grief, ensure higher patient satisfaction and better results. This protects your practice’s reputation but also enhances the overall patient experience, leading to loyalty and referrals.

If you need help selecting the right services and a marketing plan to ensure they’re profitable, you can schedule a Free Consultation with me here:

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Catherine Maley

Catherine is a business/marketing consultant to plastic surgeons. She speaks at medical conferences all over the world on practice building, marketing and the business side of plastic surgery. Get a Free Copy of her popular book, Your Aesthetic Practice: What Your Patients Are Saying View Author Profile.

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