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As a provider, you know how important it is to be available and accessible to your patients. But what happens when they don’t answer calls from unknown numbers? It can be frustrating and challenging for both parties. Let’s explore why people don’t answer calls from unknown numbers and walk through some tips on how you can ensure your patients are able to reach you when they need help.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Getting patients to save your number is key
2. Using Broadcast texts you can spread the word about your textable number to your patient base
3. Asking patients to save your number to their phone is easy, and effective
We don’t answer calls from unknown numbers
If you were to get a call from an unknown number right now, would you answer it?
Speaking for ourselves, we know we wouldn’t.
Would you be more likely to answer the call if you knew who the call was coming from? Or at least more likely to listen to a voicemail or return the call? Research shows that you are.
According to data from Pew Research Center, 80 percent of Americans won’t pick up a call from an unknown number. Even more, many people are refraining from answering texts from unknown numbers.
This could be due to multiple factors— the major one being that there has been a sharp increase in robocalls and texts, some of which are being used to scam those who do answer.
Even more, humans tend to trust people we know personally, making us more likely to want to interact with them. In our minds, unknown phone numbers don’t really count as people. This means we’re automatically less likely to pick up the phone.
Another factor for not engaging with unknown numbers is the rise of call screening technology. This automatically blocks calls and text messages which are flagged as spam by the mobile carrier.
So how can you make sure your patients are actually seeing your calls (and texts) and increase the likelihood that they’ll respond to you?
The key to getting patients to interact with your communication: The phone contacts list
The best way to get your messaging in front of patients is to heavily encourage them to save your office number to their phone contacts list. This will ensure that patients know who is contacting them, and that it’s safe for them to respond to your calls and texts without concern for being scammed.
Spread the word to all patients, all at once
You can always suggest saving your office number to patients on a one-off basis. But if you’re pressed for time, or want to suggest this process to all patients, you can use OhMD Broadcast.
Broadcast is a one-to-many messaging tool that allows you to send individualized messages to groups of patients at once. Aside from using Broadcast for appointment reminders and office closures, you can disperse important information to large quantities of patients with just a few clicks.
Do more patient outreach in less time
Send bulk messages to patients, securely, with the click of a button using Broadcast.
Here’s an example of a quick message you could send to patients to encourage them to save your office number:
“Hi {Patient Name}! This is {Practice Name} reaching out to let you know that we now offer texting as a service. We are requesting that you save our office number to your phone contacts list. For any inquiries, appointment scheduling needs, medication refills, or questions, please reach out to us via text at {Practice Number}.”
Use a Virtual Contact File
These files, also known as vCards, function as an electronic business card. When sent, it will allow the recipient to easily save your phone number without having to manually input your organization name or number.
A vCard function is made even better when used in conjunction with Broadcast. Picture this: you send a Broadcast message to patients letting them know what they are receiving, with a link to download the vCard to their phone address book. They hardly have to do any work, while still reaping the benefits of saving your number.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, reach out to OhMD using the support bot on our website or email us at team@ohmd.com, and we’ll get you set up with a vCard!
Adding your contact information to a patient’s phone contact list is a great way to make sure that they can easily get in touch with you if they need to. Not only will this save them time when trying to contact you, but it will also ensure that your number is always on hand in case of an emergency. Furthermore, by allowing them to save your number to their contacts list, you are creating a sense of familiarity and trust between yourself and your patients. This can be especially important for those who have multiple providers that they work with regularly. By giving them the ability to quickly access you at any time, you are showing that you care about their health and well-being.
Make sure your patients see your messaging by requesting that they save your office number to their phone contacts list. Doing so will help ensure that they have quick and easy access to your contact info whenever they need it.
Reach more patients with OhMD
Interested in making patient communication easier, for your staff and for patients? Let’s chat!
