Update Your Magazines

I generally carry either a book, a magazine, or some work with me when I go to appointments of any kind. After all, you never know when you will have to wait.

A few months ago I came to a physician’s office unprepared to wait. Imagine my surprise when I went to pick up a magazine and could not find anything more current than 6 months old?

It turns out that the office does not believe in buying magazines for their practice and relies on family members and employees to bring in old magazines. As a practice, everything you do reflects how you feel about your patients. What are you saying to them now?

Investing in a few current, timely magazines tells your patients that you realize they may have to wait, but you are offering them something to pass the time. The magazines should reflect the specialty of the practice. This does not mean that all the magazines should be the same type, but there should be a variety.

Remember that sometimes it’s not just the patients that sit in the reception area, but their family members as well. A gynecologist may have male patients waiting while their spouse or significant other is in for their appointment. You may choose to have a variety of women’s magazines, but include some that the men might like to read.

What does your reception area say to your patients? Email me at donna@officemanagementsolution.com.