Practicing medicine is about so much more than charts, tests, and reports. At its core, healthcare is the relationship between doctor and patient. Practitioners who cultivate positive, harmonious connections find themselves effortlessly building rapport with patients. 

Rapport establishes the foundation of trust, understanding, and loyalty. It’s one of the keys to lasting success in your medical practice!

Building Rapport With Patients in the Past

In the past, doctors established rapport simply for holding the authority of a medical expert. Their patient rapport was often assumed, not earned. 

Before the internet made comprehensive healthcare information accessible to anybody with a computer, patients had no choice but to trust their doctors to assess, diagnose, and treat every health challenge they encountered. 

But the dawn of the 21st century- and the COVID-19 pandemic in particular- forever transformed the process of building rapport with patients. 

—How Building Rapport With Patients Has Evolved with Covid-19

We’re living in the age of WebMD. Patients only need to type a few words into Google to access more information than they could ever read about skin cancer, digestive problems, back pain, and everything in between. 

Unfortunately, this has compromised the process of building rapport with patients. Many people would rather resolve their issues without a doctor at all! 

At least, until the COVID-19 virus emerged. Now, literally overnight, the pandemic legitimized the urgent importance of virtual healthcare. The coronavirus unexpectedly created a space where patients have a growing demand for and access to virtual medicine. For the first time, many patients can see, experience, and appreciate the inherent value of virtual healthcare! 

Given the enormous demand for virtual healthcare, doctors have the unique opportunity—and responsibility—to create better virtual experiences. This starts and ends with building rapport with patients. 

7 Powerful Rapport Building Techniques

Building rapport with patients doesn’t need to become another dreaded item on your to-do list. Use these seven powerful techniques to build positive, long-lasting rapport with every patient you meet. 

Be Prompt

You expect your patients to be on time, so you should be too. Waiting for a video chat connection on your phone feels different than sitting in a waiting room. In a physical doctor’s office, there’s a silent understanding that doctors inevitably run behind schedule. But thanks to the streamlined efficiencies of virtual healthcare, you have no excuse for being late to your virtual appointments. 

Make Camera Contact

Though you’re not starring in the next Oscar-nominated film, your appearance and behavior on camera are still very important for building rapport with patients. Try adding these strategies into your regular appointments:

• Look into the camera, not at your desk
• Make sure your patients know you’re purposefully paying attention
• Take notes
• Nod your head and make other responsive gestures

These simple, small adjustments to your on-camera behavior will strengthen your first impression and help patients feel more comfortable in your care. 

Use Soft, Diffused Light

We’ve all Zoomed with friends and colleagues enough during COVID-19 quarantine to appreciate the difference good lighting can make in a conversation. Arrange your office to receive light from a north or south-facing window if possible. This provides soft light without the harsh rays. 

Make Patients Feel Heard

Patients need you to listen to their concerns and respond with your professional advice. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your patients feel heard, appreciated, and respected. Try repeating back what you hear to demonstrate you’re on the same page. 

Take a Socratic Approach

The virtual experience should always be more about the patient than the doctor. Ask questions and listen more than you talk. Doing so allows you to gather as much information as possible and provide guidance and diagnoses that best address your patient’s needs. 

Create a Professional Background

In the digital world, your background in every video call is just as important as the appearance of an office for a walk-in visit. Your background makes a statement about your professionalism, credibility, and decisions as a doctor. 

Creating a professional background is as simple as hanging your medical degrees or a nice picture on the wall behind you. Just be sure that your background matches your brand identity.

Build Amazing Experiences

Think of yourself as a five-star virtual health center. What would you do differently than a four or three-star health center? Send out reminder sequences? Follow-up with personal emails or video texts? The little things that make a difference.

The Bottom Line

What are you committed to creating with your brand and your business? As you conceptualize the success you seek to achieve in the future, consider how daily interactions with your patients may add or take away from your aspirations. Set your sights on building rapport with patients to enjoy exponential growth and benefits.