Over 150,000 providers use Zocdoc to reach new patients, fill last-minute openings and bolster their online presence. Not only does Zocdoc save providers time (with things like convenient online scheduling for patients and intake forms), but it also helps them grow their practices. We’re spotlighting providers who have leveraged our platform to do just that.
Advocare is a medical group independently owned and governed by top physicians in New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area, dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare across a wide range of specialties. Founded in 1998 by 23 pediatricians, today Advocare has grown to over 700 providers practicing across 25 specialties, including everything from internal and family medicine to behavioral health and nutrition.
Here’s how Advocare leveraged Zocdoc’s platform to increase patient acquisition and create trust, leading to practice growth and loyal, returning patients.
Increasing Access to Care
As Advocare grew its physician base, expanded into new specialties and opened more care centers, ensuring patients could effortlessly discover and access their care was crucial. Enter Zocdoc. “We joined Zocdoc in 2021 because the easy-to-use technology enables Advocare to meet the healthcare market’s demand for accessible, high-quality care,” says Matthew Herzer, Vice President of Practice Operations. “Patients can seamlessly find our providers with Zocdoc and book appointments via desktop or mobile app.”
Tens of thousands of patients book visits each year with Advocare physicians via Zocdoc and nearly one third of appointments are near-term, within 4 days.
Across the industry, practices that don’t offer modern solutions for access see fewer bookings, notes Herzer. In 2023, practices that met consumer demand for better access to high-quality care, however, experienced an average +10% increase in their visit volume year-over year. As a result of using Zocdoc, which shows up-to-date availability and offers 24/7 access to booking, Advocare physicians were able to connect with new patients in the area and easily grow their practice –– doubling total patient bookings in their first year.
Fostering Patient Trust
Patients are more discerning than ever and having excellent provider reviews helps practices stand out from the crowd. As Herzer underscores, “Trust between the provider and the patient is of the utmost importance and it starts before the patient walks into an exam room.” Since only patients who have seen providers can leave reviews on Zocdoc, these trustworthy reviews help patients identify providers with whom they’ll feel the most comfortable. This ensures that new patients become loyal, lifelong patients.
What’s in store for 2024?
Herzer shares 5 predictions for healthcare trends in the new year:
1. Barriers to care = barriers to growth
Demand for easy access to high-quality care will continue, which is why platforms that offer straightforward, 24/7 booking access via desktop or an app are key.
2. Offer quality care, quickly
If a patient is not able to promptly receive the level of care they expect from a provider, they will look elsewhere. Having a platform that shows up-to-date availability allows patients to book more near-term visits.
3. Personalize, personalize, personalize
Successful providers will offer patient journeys that are coordinated, digitally enabled and personalized. Improving access to health data to personalize care will be essential.
4. Opportunities in OBGYN
With OBGYN in particular, expertise in infertility and managing menopause will be an opportunity for growth.
5. Reach for the stars (5-star reviews, that is)
Providers who meet the demands of their communities will be well-reviewed, helping others feel safe trusting that same provider.
Building on this success, Advocare continues to invest in adding new providers to the Zocdoc marketplace. In 2024, offering solutions to lift the administrative burden from Advocare providers and personalizing care remains a focus, notes Herzer. “That’s where platforms such as Zocdoc, that connect patients to well-respected and highly-rated providers in their communities, are so important.”
Stay tuned for more provider spotlights and consult with an enterprise sales representative to learn more about how Zocdoc can grow your business.
This article was developed in partnership with the provider group highlighted herein.