Thread by @skinandall_

1. For doctors especially those doing some private practice (or if you have a private practice), you may notice that some people constantly have patients requesting for them while some others just have a trickle. It may just be the way they both see their patients

2. That makes all the difference. Studies have shown that patients are more likely to come back to the doctor they feel comfortable with and that communicates with them properly. A few tips.
a) Always try to break the medical jargon to your patients in layman language.

3. b) No matter how bad the prognosis is, let your patient know...kindly. Don't hide details thinking you're doing them a favor.
c) Don't promise what you're not sure you can deliver.
d) Show empathy and kindness. You've heard the phrase 'kind eyes' before? Radiate it.

4. e) Please know your stuff. The ones you cannot answer at that moment, tell them you'll get back to them. There's no sin in not knowing it at that period. You're not Google. And be good at what you do.
f) Communicate. A lot of patients actually complain about this.

5. It may happen if the patient load is high. But as much as possible, try to listen and answer their questions.
g) Please ensure that your front desk officer is smart and capable. Don't put a sloppy, cold and unprofessional person at the front desk.

6) You're the one who determines how your practice will look like. Structure it well.
h) This last one is very important. Recognize that it's not all patients that is worth taking on. Some patients show you ab initio that they're difficult and they'll likely be a lot of trouble.

7) If its your private practice...you really don't have to take them on. I have rejected one or two unrealistic and difficult patients before.

What's your selling point? Harness it. For example...mine is the ability to communicate so lucidly with my patients.

8) If I've ever taken on a patient before, its unlikely they'll want to go somewhere else. That's how confident I am about myself when it comes to seeing patients.
Private practice takes a lot of effort, dedication and commitment. Don't take on what you can't handle please

9) There's no point having a practice that nobody is coming to and you're running at a loss. It may just be that you need to pay attention to a few things as listed up here. No matter how good you are, if you have crappy staff, if your attitude is bad..

10) And if you don't pay attention to details, you may just lose most of your patients. Nobody is indispensable. In Nigeria though where some specialties are like sanctuary sites, if you're in one of those specialties, you might just get away with it.

11) But not for long though...as there is no monopoly of knowledge. Sooner or later, other people will permeate that field. One of the best form of marketing...is word of mouth. You'll be surprised at how much publicity you'll get from treating one or two patients right...