Our physician-outreach process
begins with having an 
ambassador.

73% of the U.S. population

Yet only 13% to 15% of physicians test their patients' hearing.

Combined with changes in over-the-counter distribution of hearing aids and online sales of personal sound amplifiers,

physicians need to be aware of what the limitations of use are on those technologies to ensure that their patients are capable of accurately deciphering the differences between and benefits of varying technologies.

The team at Cityview Audiology & Hearing Aids, Inc. saw a shift in consumer behavior along with the expanding options of hearing technology. 

They saw a need to educate both physicians and patients in their community on the new types of hearing technology options.

See how they created a physician-referral program that saw over 1,200 patient referrals and elevated their practice as community hearing care experts.

Brand our practice as a community health care expert

Generally, it's more expensive to bring in a new patient with traditional marketing than it is with a physician-outreach program. For example, it costs $450 to $550 for each new appointment through traditional marketing, whereas a physician-outreach program is more of an investment in time.

Deliver quality and cost-effective patient referrals to our practice

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Educating physicians on comorbidity — the simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient — between hearing health and a growing list of associated diseases helps these physicians better care for their patients, allowing the patients to lead healthy and fuller lives.

speaks to their primary-care physician about hearing loss before consulting anyone else.

Over 1,200 Patient Referrals Within 24 Months From Physician Offices

Having a dedicated physician-outreach person within your practice to build the relationships with local practices is key. Joyce, our physician liaison, takes responsibility for physician outreach.

Physician liaison Joyce, educating consumers at a community event

Tools and tips for making your physician-referral program a success:

  • Keep the physician informed. After seeing one of the referred patients, Joyce will take the opportunity to pop into a physician office to deliver the hearing report that we have written. 
  • Have the right physician-referral marketing materials. Joyce takes inventory of the existing marketing materials prior to each physician visit and works with our Audigy marketing creative team to brand needed collateral and materials. Examples of things we bring to each office visit:
  • Q&A cards
  • Comorbidity white papers
  • Infographics

(She also always delivers treats along with the information products.)

  • Get to know the staff. It is important to build relationships with everyone in the physician's office. One idea we like is to provide lunch or breakfast to their office.
  • Prioritize your physicians. Visit all your "A"-list physician offices once a month.
  • Measure your success. Track the number of referrals you receive, the number of these that actually turned into an appointment, and the number of hearing aids purchased from this group.
Get My Own Physician Referral Guidebook

Since 2016 we have seen over 1,200 patient referrals from physician offices.

With our physician-referral program in place, we saw a huge return on our investment of time.

Our practice sees referrals from over 30 local offices.

In 2017, 30% of hearing aid sales were from physician referrals.

Approximately 50% of all patients seen are referred by physicians.

To combat the changes and challenges in the current hearing aid market, we saw the need to create a physician-referral program. For us this program became a way to:

Start growing your patient referrals, with your own step-by-step guidebook

with a physician outreach program

See the Plan and Results

Diane Blaising, Au.D., ADA, FAAA

After two years of testing,

Results

it is important to ensure your practice schedule is optimized so that you are getting the most out of your referrals and all other patient appointments.

we have established some best practices that have made our physician-referral program a huge success.

Now that you have the tools to increase patient flow,

See how one practice increased their hearing aid revenue by 25% by implementing a block-scheduling program.

Combat the changes in consumer behavior and expansion of technology Options

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Start growing your patient referrals, with your own step-by-step guidebook