Why Doctors Need Web Sites

Find New Patients - As the population becomes more mobile, a practice typically needs to recruit more patients.  As patients become more sophisticated, they want to find doctors which match their expectations in terms of care.

	Promotion
	Credentials of Physicians
	Specialties
	Practice Style and Values

Get Information to Patients - Your patients will know you are patient focused when you provide them information 24 hours a day.

	Hours of Operation
	Out of Hours Coverage
	Insurance Information
	Hospital Affiliations
	Referral Process

Cost Savings for Your Office - You can save your office staff time, by providing information to your patients on the internet.

	People to Contact
	Referral and Prescription Refill Requests On-line
	Medical Records Requests On-line
	Map and Directions to Office

Your Basic Web Site

Here is what a basic practice website contains.  Many more pages can be developed as well, such as:  "How to chose a doctor", "Recommendations for Patients", "Common Diseases Information or Links", "Common Medications FAQ or Links" and "Community Service - Speaking Engagements".

Home Page

	Office Location with link to Map and Directions
	Office Hours
	Hospital Affiliations

Our Practice - This page is very important both from a credibility point of view as well as attracting patients who appreciate your style.

	Ethics
	Confidentiality
	Style
	Privacy

Our Doctors - Patients are very interested in your skills, education and background.  Pictures will make the Doctors seem more approachable.

	Credentials
	Specialties

Our Office - Here is where you can make your practice seem more accessible and put faces to the people your patients talk with.

	Our Staff & Their Responsibilities - including contact information and pictures of individuals
	Procedures for prescription refills, referrals to doctors, tests, billing, medical records requests, and appointments.

Insurance Information

	Insurance - which plans you are associated with, what your policies are on patients without insurance.
	Policies - how you handle insurance information at check-in, referrals, and check-out.  Can include patient responsibilities.

A key decision to be made is if you will use e-mail as a means of communication with your office.  It is one thing to allow patients to request refills, referral renewals and medical records via e-mail or web forms.  It is quite another to handle medical questions using e-mail, most physicians choose not to do this.  With any e-mail or form request, it is important to let the patient know when to expect the completion of the request.