I went with a family member to an appointment and wanted to share some feedback in hopes it's…read morehelpful. Over time, my family member has experienced a few frustrations that contributed to feeling unheard or not fully supported. One of those included calling multiple times over several weeks without receiving follow-up, though that was just one part of the overall experience.
My first off-putting experience happened right when we walked in. There was no greeting, no hello, and no check-in--just brief eye contact followed by silence as they turned away. We weren't sure what to do, so we sat down. A few minutes later, my family member's name was called. While this may seem small, first impressions really matter and help set the tone for a visit.
During our time there, I noticed another situation at the front desk that stood out. A client was waiting there for quite some time while staff were present. When he was finally acknowledged, he was asked, "Are you ok?" and then told, "Oh, I thought you were waiting for a ride." A simple greeting and asking how someone could be helped would have made the interaction feel much more welcoming. It wasted his time.
After the client left, I overheard staff comment that "he could've said something." While that may have been said casually, clients shouldn't have to speak up just to receive assistance. The front desk is the first point of contact and sets the tone for the entire experience.
I also overheard a phone call where the tone felt dismissive, with comments like "well, you called us, so I'm calling you back" and "I don't know what you need, you called us." After the call ended, there was further conversation between staff that seemed to make light of the situation and the patient. Hearing this while other clients were present felt uncomfortable.
Overall, being attentive, welcoming, and mindful of tone and conversations--especially in shared spaces--goes a long way in making people feel respected and valued. I'm sharing this feedback in hopes it leads to a more positive experience for future patients. Since there's quite a bit of negative feedback here.
This is your business-your name is on it. Your staff is a walking representation of you. They either help or negatively impact your brand. Customer service is a basic skill. Being kind, respectful, mindful and most importantly-professional, should be a non-negotiable. And based on the reviews, seems as though there is no accountably as the experiences seem to continue.
Considering many of their patients may be senior citizens-there should be a standard with the overall experience provided. A standard to uphold and accountability.