referral acknowledgements

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randomdoc1

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Starting to form some good referral resources. I am planning to write thank you letters to them all as well as more of my cards. But is there anything else you recommend doing to continue fostering the relationship without coming across was too eager/desperate? Do I send them roses? Chocolates? Hugs and kisses? Anyways, I was thinking of mentioning that as expression of my thanks, I would try to get their clients in sooner, typically seen within two weeks. Or maybe I could offer to meet for a meal or something? I heard the drug rep thing may not be a bad idea but I'm totally new to this and don't have a ton of time to burn. Thanks!

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From my perspective as a referrer to psychiatrists. The best thank you is a copy of your HPI and initial treatment plan with no overt signs of treatment team splitting. ;)
 
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Simple letter thanking them for the referral, what you've found and what your treatment plan is. KISS - because Doc's have too short of an attention span. Ever known one to read an entire H&P?
 
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Also, just be friendly and collegial and express your appreciation briefly whenever you have a shared patient or happen to cross paths. Call them occasionally for their input on the difficult patients you share.
 
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Thank you SO much folks. Those tips were probably obvious to you guys who are more seasoned at this than I am. However, I sent out some acknowledgement letters, ROIs, and copies of my notes and it was very well received. It strengthened the budding relationships and stimulated more referrals without there being concerns of potential boundary crossing and any awkwardness. Worked out perfectly :). My coworkers were impressed too.
 
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I like to check in with my top referrers every once in awhile to what is working, anything they'd like to see or see done differently, etc. Sometimes I'll do it when I'm talking to them about a case, other times I'll drop a quick email or put a note on the latest report I'm sending over. This approach helps let them know that I'm open to communicating with them and that I'm interested in making sure they are getting what they need from me.

Honestly, the fact I return calls and sometimes reach out about a case surprises some of the referrers. Sometimes a 3-5min phone call will save me 30+ min of reviewing AND it will contribute to a more specific or meaningful report.
 
Recently I was talking with our marketing lady who told me that one of our psychiatrists now blocks out his last spot each day to update referring doctors of new patients that he's seen that day. Apparently the GPs liked it so much that in one corporate clinic the GPs have started referring patients directly to him instead of their own internal specialist network.

As far as correspondence goes I usually get my initial letters out very quickly, and I don't particularly like playing phone tag so I personally haven't done it much myself. However, I always return calls - many of these have also lead to new referrals.

One benefit of my current arrangement is that our marketing team arranges lunchtime meetings with clinics, as they've noticed that GPs are far more likely to refer to you if they can match a name with a face.
 
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