The Repetitive Patient Question That's Costing You More Than You Think

(00:00:00) The question you answer without even thinking about it anymore (00:02:03) Doing the actual math on what that question is costing you (00:04:05) The healing question patients ask again and again after a procedure (00:04:49) Answering before they ask, one line, one sheet at a time (00:06:44) What changes for you, your team and your patients once you do this You know the one. The question you answer so often you can guess it's coming before the patient finishes asking. It feels small. It is not free.Why That Question Costs More Than a Few MinutesIt interrupts your flow, adds a task to your EMR list and usually means the patient carried worry before they even called. It adds up, three minutes here, a phone call there, the dread of opening the task list...again.Answer before the question is asked.On this episode of The Practice Rounds Podcast, Kate breaks down why answering the question more efficiently isn't going to fix the problem. Answering the question before the question gets asked is. A line added on to a post-procedure instruction sheet. An FAQ sheet given out when a new medication is started. Small, unglamorous infrastructure that saves you the call."Just because it's normal does not mean that it's free."How to Get That Time BackThis week, notice the question you answer on repeat. Write down what you actually say. Then build the version patients get before they ask, so your admin fields fewer calls and you have a few less tasks and flow interruptions in your days. Episode TakeawaysJust because you get a question all the time doesn’t mean that needs to stay that way. Every repeat question is a little bit of your time, your energy and your flow, and yet another interruption..The fix is answering before the question gets asked, a line on an instruction sheet, an FAQ sheet, something small that catches the question before it becomes a task.This does not need to be an overhaul. One list of the questions you answer the most, sorted into a few categories, is enough to start giving time back to you, your admin and your patients.If You're Asking These Questions, This Is For YouWhy do I keep getting the same patient question over and over?How do I stop patients from calling with the same concern every time?What is the best way to reduce phone calls from patients after a procedure?How can I create an FAQ sheet for my patients?Why does my admin get so many repeat phone calls?How do I explain normal post procedure symptoms so patients stop worrying and calling?What's a simple way to cut down on repetitive tasks in my practice without adding more work?