I was asked to have a look at a new website recently for feedback. I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with the vision that has been deployed. In essence the website is a tool that allows a practice engage and manage new users during their trial or initial period of hearing aid use. The owners and designers of the site have designed it to assist in the reduction of cancellations after initial trial. I took a look at the tool and was astonished at its power and simplicity. Like all really good ideas, it’s one of those “Why didn’t I think of that?” ones.
I believe that this tool will
- Lower your cancellation rates
- Drive your Patient engagement strategy
- Display your commitment to best practice
- Can be leveraged to build your online community
- Act as both a hard and soft differentiator for your practice
- In time lower your marketing costs
The tool will allow you to communicate with your Patients consistently during the trial period, it will also give you a heads up on problem areas in order that you can design a strategy to deal with them before the issue overtakes the benefits accrued. The site is truly quite brilliant, the following are the features as displayed on the site
Ask questions
Set questions for your patients to answer during their trial period. Ask whatever you want: How did your hearing aids make you feel today? Can you hear people behind you? Which are clearer, male or female voices?
Give advice
Write messages and advice that patients will see when they use Earmeter. Time your advice throughout a trial to make your patient feel more engaged and happier with their new hearing aid. Messages are available online or via email
Continuous feedback
You get day-by-day feedback from your patients as they use Earmeter, which allows you to get a clear picture of how their trial is going and also lets you proactively fix their issues as soon as they happen.
Give incentives
Earmeter tracks your patients and lets you know how often they are responding to your questions, messages and advice. You can set goals and offer incentives for patients to meet those goals
Monitor your patients
Earmeter lets you quickly see your patients’ answers as soon as they’ve submitted them, allowing you to respond quickly to problems and issues without having to wait to the next time the patient is in your office
iPod/iPad/mobile compatible
Earmeter is compatible with mobile devices and all major web browsers, allowing your patients to work with you wherever they may be.
The site layout is relatively intuitive, the management of your presence also appears to be relatively easy and intuitive. There are also plans to allow full customisation of your site presence allowing you to upload logos, change colours etc. More importantly Patient use features are easy and intuitive with a small learning curve.
Whilst this tool will not be for all your Patients, I think a large part of your future Patients will be happy to use it. I think this is a fantastic tool, it fits well with modern thought on practice management and Patient engagement.
It will also encourage web connection with your Patients and their inclusion in your community. After they have finished their trial they can then be moved onto your facebook community for continuous engagement. The tool will not only benefit your cancellation rate it will also help drive your Patient engagement strategy and lower your ongoing marketing and mailing costs, how cool is that?
Click to go to earmeter.