Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72343
GET DOCTOR REFERRALS TIP #4: SPREAD THE WORD Ask every new client, "Were you referred to me by your doctor, a current client, or did you hear about me another way?" This not only helps you track your marketing and referral sources, but it also plants a seed in the client's mind that doctors often (and do) refer to you. This will stimulate more medical referrals, because when they or a friend wants or needs a referral for your type of therapy, they know you often work with doctors and accept treatment "prescriptions." TIP #5: DOCUMENT YOUR WORK Whether the doctor wants to see your SOAP notes or not (and many times they will), it's important to document the work you do with these referred clients. You can be explicit in your detail, or more general, but documentation is important in these relationships. TIP #6: RECIPROCAL REFERRALS Even successful, busy medical practices need to keep new business coming in. When you have clients or friends who need care, be sure to encourage them to see one of your referring providers and let the provider know you sent them. SOME NOTES OF CAUTION As you work your way through the referral maze, it's important to remember a few things. • Never contradict the doctor's recommendations or requested treatments. If something in the protocol is concerning to you, talk it through with the doctor for clarification. • Never speak poorly about traditional allopathic medicine to your clients. • Never gossip, breach client/patient confidentialities, slip up by not following HIPAA laws, or any of the other "Therapists Behaving Badly" things. It makes you look very unprofessional, gives our industry a black eye, and will get you removed from a doctor's referral list quicker than you can say, "I shouldn't have done that!" If you follow through and keep the referred patients happy, you will be rewarded by having doctors and other health-care providers continue to refer more clients to you. public speaker, and business coach who enjoys enlightening therapists, fitness trainers, coaches, and other "thera-preneurs." She applies her knowledge and learned- in-the-trenches strategies and skills to improve therapists' clinical outcomes and financial success. Diamond will be inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2013 for her work with Active Myofascial Therapy, and her online business resource, SuccessfulMassageTherapist. org. Therapists can go to www. MTMedicalReferrals.com to request Diamond's special report about getting referrals from doctors who are right in your neighborhood. Reach Diamond at Facebook.com/TherapySuccess, Twitter.com/MassageResource, or www.theDiamondMethod.com. Irene Diamond, RT, is an educator, tune in to your practice at ABMPtv 49