Client retention is crucial for the success of physical, occupational, and speech therapists, as it not only sustains your practice but also promotes a positive therapeutic experience. Retaining clients requires a comprehensive approach that focuses on building strong relationships, personalized care, and effective communication. In this blog post, we’ll discuss a range of strategies you can implement to improve client retention and enhance their therapeutic outcomes.

 

But first, some math. Here’s how to calculate client retention rate:

• Pick a time frame.
• Find out the number of clients at the start of your time frame. This will be “S” in your equation.
• Find out the number of total clients at the end of your time frame. This will be “E” in your equation.
• Determine the number of new clients added within your time frame. This will be “N” in your equation.

 

Plug in your numbers in the following equation: [(E-N)/S] x 100 = CRR (Client Retention Rate).

Every practice and specialty is different, so your goal is to raise that number. For example, you could say you want to improve your retention rate by 5% in the next 3 months.

Now, on to the strategies you can use to improve client retention.

 

1. Have a Clear Pricing Plan

Financial constraints, such as high co-pays or deductibles, can discourage patients from continuing therapy sessions regularly. In addition, many patients may face limitations or restrictions in their insurance coverage for therapy services, which can affect their ability to continue treatment. You can’t fix the industry or offer your services for free, but a clear pricing structure can help clients choose (and stay with) your practice.

When creating your pricing plan, don’t forget your clients may not know much about healthcare billing. It should be extremely easy to understand. If you only work with specific insurers, include that information on your website and other online presence. Your pricing should be easily accessible and regularly updated.

Depending on your pricing and whether or not you take insurance, you may have to deal with your client’s financial constraints. Explore options that can make your services more affordable. This may involve discussing payment plans, offering sliding-scale fees, or providing information about financial assistance programs or insurance coverage options.

Lastly, make it as easy as possible for clients to pay their bills. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to spend money and fighting with an unclear or buggy system. Most people carry little cash on them, so you should take card payments. Fusion’s own EMR even lets your clients view and pay their bills on the client portal, where you can also save their card information for future payments.

 

2. Create a Relationship with Clients

A great way to increase client retention is to foster a supportive and motivating environment. Creating a comfortable and encouraging atmosphere plays a crucial role in retaining clients. Patients who feel valued and supported are more likely to remain motivated and committed. You should consistently demonstrate encouragement, praise achievements, and acknowledge progress to boost clients’ self-confidence and willingness to continue therapy.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can be challenging at times, so provide ongoing support and encouragement throughout your clients’ therapy journey. Regular check-ins, feedback on client progress, and discussions of challenges or barriers they may face can motivate clients to stay committed to their therapy program.

Acknowledging and swiftly addressing any client concerns or complaints is vital for maintaining trust and satisfaction. A comprehensive feedback mechanism allows you to gather client opinions regularly, enabling therapists to proactively resolve issues, demonstrate responsiveness, and continuously improve their services.

 

 

3. Educate Clients

Some patients may struggle with motivation or adherence to their therapy program, leading to reduced engagement and dropouts. Others may not see the value of exercises, especially if they’re painful, difficult, or frustrating. This is especially true if a parent or caregiver is in charge of your client. Thoroughly explain the benefits of continued therapy and its long-term impact on their health. Help clients understand how therapy can improve their condition or help them achieve their goals. Your services are valuable; you must show your clients why.

Your clients may not be aware of all the tools at their disposal. Help them understand your services and how they can leverage them. Include videos, pamphlets, or flyers that show them how to use their client portal.

 

4. Establish A Personalized Treatment Plan

Effective client retention begins with individualized care. By tailoring treatment plans to meet each client’s specific needs and goals, you demonstrate a commitment to their patient’s well-being. Collaborative goal-setting and a thorough understanding of clients’ preferences and abilities ensure a personalized approach that increases their motivation and engagement throughout the therapeutic journey.

Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to assess progress, address setbacks, and modify treatment plans accordingly. Additionally, maintenance programs can help clients sustain the gains achieved through therapy and prevent further complications. These programs can include periodic check-ins, refresher sessions, or self-management resources, ensuring ongoing support post-rehabilitation.

 

 

5. Use Technology to Improve Engagement

Integrating technology into your practice can help improve client accountability, facilitate communication, and provide ongoing support between sessions. HEPs are often a key component of treatment plans; your EMR’s integrated client portal, mobile applications, wearable devices, or online platforms can offer exercise reminders, track progress, and encourage home exercises to make sure they get done. And with Fusion’s secure messaging feature, clients can contact you with questions or concerns while maintaining privacy.

For some clients, the problem isn’t the gap between sessions, but getting to the sessions themselves. Your EMR’s telehealth platform can help you reach clients with geographical barriers or limited access to physical, occupational, or speech therapy services in their area.

Technology can also be used to improve the client experience during intake. Leverage your EMR’s scheduling, billing, waitlist, and eligibility checks to reduce waiting times. You can minimize the paperwork clients have to fill out by creating custom intake forms that only collect necessary data and avoid asking clients for information that is not required. To make it even easier for clients, you can use an EMR with information flow, which allows previously entered data to be pulled from forms and client records, eliminating the need for clients to enter the same information multiple times. And, of course, clinicians also benefit from reduced data entry.

Not sure where to start looking when it comes to an EMR for your practice? Download our free guide and discover which tools can help you focus on client care.

 

6. Communicate Effectively

Communication issues, such as language barriers or difficulties understanding treatment instructions, can hinder patient engagement and retention. Clear and effective communication is fundamental in fostering a positive therapist-client relationship. Actively listen to clients’ concerns, empathize with their challenges, and address any questions or uncertainties they may have. Regularly provide feedback on their progress and educate them about their condition, empowering them to take an active role in their rehabilitation process.

Don’t forget that while you’re an expert in your field, they’re not. If possible, provide simplified documents or explanations when tracking client progress. Your EMR’s graphing capabilities can visualize client improvements and progress toward goals. Consider using benchmarks when it helps.

 

7. Keep Up with Professional Development

By staying updated with the latest advancements in your respective field, you can offer innovative techniques and evidence-based practices to your clients. Constantly seeking growth and improvement not only ensures optimal outcomes but also showcases a commitment to providing the best possible care to clients, which leads to higher satisfaction and retention rates.

Growth isn’t limited to your personal skills; your network is also important. Collaborate with other healthcare providers involved in the patient’s care, such as physicians, nurses, or care coordinators. Open lines of communication and information-sharing ensures a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the client’s treatment. This can also help you obtain referrals to maintain a steady client flow.

 

 

Improving client retention requires a holistic approach that encompasses personalized care, effective communication, supportive environments, and the integration of technology. By implementing these strategies, physical, occupational, and speech therapists can foster strong therapist-client relationships, enhance patient motivation, and improve overall therapeutic outcomes. Ultimately, these efforts not only benefit the clients but also contribute to the therapists’ professional success and the growth of their practice.

 

Fusion offers everything you need to grow your practice, including client retention tools like a client portal, easy credit card processing, and custom intake forms. Let us show you how Fusion could help you thrive. Schedule a demo today.