Professional referrals are core to the business of many practices. The trust inherent in a referral from a colleague is to be respected and encouraged. Keeping that process simple and direct is sure to be appreciated, and may help keep your practice top of mind when a referral is available from another physician.

Referral pad books make finding the practice information easy, accurate and seamless. Since the books are self-contained, they take little space and create no clutter. With your practice’s name on the spine they are easy to locate when needed and include your contact information and branding on the cover.

One of the advantages to referral books is the way they streamline the referral process for staff and for the patient. The patient may have recently worn a thin paper gown in an unfamiliar environment, and now finds they need further assistance. Concise written information about the next step “Call this number, go to this location for your appointment” will be reassuring. Even if they are a bit disconcerted at the moment, the information will be available and legible when needed.

For their staff, it’s a convenient way to give the recommendation slip, which includes your practice’s contact information, office hours, a map of your office location and if appropriate, can include information about the patient’s needs. For reference, there is a duplicate in the book to track when the referral was given and its details.

One physician, who has utilized this strategy for his practice over the last five years, summarized it this way: “As a practice that utilizes referral pads, we find that it is a useful tool to improve communication with our referrals and maximize treatment for our mutual patients.”

To encourage referrals, your practice representative, can take a referral book to medical practices likely to refer to your practice. It’s friendly contact, offering an easy solution in a busy world. As you know, referrals are based on trust and relationship, as well as on your stellar reputation. Targeted to develop mutual goodwill, as well as referrals, this visit from your rep can help you stay in touch, find out how you can be involved and catch up on what is changing in their world. Leaving a handy tool for their office with your contact information will encourage further positive interaction.

 Pat Ziesmer represents Allegra Orlando, a local print provider, as a consultant. Pat works cooperatively with Orlando businesses to create simple, clean solutions for their print communications. She takes joy in uncluttering a confusing brochure or simplifying a corporate print message. You can reach her at pat@allegraorlando.com.

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