Provider reputation and branding are critical components to the health of a practice. Today’s healthcare consumers want to know that the quality of service and the overall experience were positive enough to earn an endorsement.

Today, there are a wide range of review websites, including Yelp and Google reviews, as well as sources dedicated to the healthcare market, such as Health Grades and RateMDs. According to a recent survey conducted by Software Advice, 71% of healthcare consumers said that they use online review sites as their first step for finding a new provider. Google’s search engine algorithms also assist users in discovering this content by prioritizing user-generated reviews in search results.

Providers who are not yet active may find themselves already behind the trend. Fortunately, it’s not too late to become engaged. There are ways for providers to positively influence online reputation, including encouraging current clients to visit a preferred review site and leave feedback. It can be expected that the majority of these reviews will be positive. In addition to review websites, online reputation can also be improved through an active social media presence.

As with any business, the occasional negative review is possible. While you can’t alter or remove them, many websites allow businesses to respond directly to users’ feedback. This creates an opportunity to manage negative sentiments in a constructive way, while also demonstrating your commitment to customer care in a public forum.

Giving customers and prospects a transparent look into your organization and keeping them attuned to the latest news and policies helps further develop relationships and trust. It also provides an opportunity to gather valuable feedback to help inform improvements to your operations and the overall care delivery experience.

Download our latest white paper, “Prepare for a revolution in the patient experience: Consumerization trends defining the future of healthcare,” to learn more about the importance of provider reputation and the impact on your practice.

Watch for posts in the coming months that discuss other common expectations of today’s healthcare buyers, including:

• Convenient scheduling
• Remote patient care
• Collaborative care profiles
• Transparent billing