To make a mark in today’s competitive dermatology landscape, it’s essential to understand the demographics, preferences, and reasons behind potential patients’ visits. Each month, millions of patients visit Zocdoc to find and instantly book appointments. We analyzed the data from hundreds of thousands of bookings to give you an inside look at what dermatology patients want when looking for new providers. Leveraging these insights can help you acquire more new patients and stand out from the crowd.
Who is looking for new dermatologists?
Nearly 3 out of 5 dermatology bookers were women. Almost half of all bookers (48%) were millennials and Gen Z made up nearly a quarter of bookings (22%). Gen X accounted for 16% of bookings, while Baby Boomers and up accounted for 10% of bookings.
What characteristics matter most when choosing a dermatologist?
Speed to care is an important factor when choosing a dermatologist. 3 out of 5 dermatology bookings were made for appointments within 8 days. Many dermatology providers rely on Zocdoc to help them fill last-minute openings. This is crucial, as the national average wait time to see a dermatology provider is 31.4 days*, making Zocdoc a go-to solution for patients seeking quicker access to care.
Dermatology patients look for providers who take their insurance. 4 out of 5 appointments were made using a commercial insurance plan and nearly 9 out 10 appointments were in-network.
*According to the 2022 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times
Why do they want to see the dermatologist?
The top visit reasons included annual skin visits, acne, skin cancer screening, mole screening/treatment, hair loss, eczema, and cyst(s).
When patients chose to book without insurance or out-of-network, the top visit reasons were for cosmetic services including Botox, fillers, and micro needling.
Where do they want to see the dermatologist?
Patients like to see dermatologists close to home, whether in-person or virtually. For in-person visits, 4 out of 5 appointments are within 20 miles of the patient. For virtual visits, just over half are within 20 miles.
When do they want to see the dermatologist?
Summer skincare (when more skin is typically exposed to the sun) was top of mind for patients in 2024. Patients booked 14% and 12% more dermatology appointments in July and August respectively vs. the average month.
How do patients book visits with dermatologists?
64% of dermatology bookings were made via mobile, while 36% booked via desktop. Using a platform that meets both preferences helps providers easily acquire and retain patients.
Half of patients prefer to book dermatology appointments from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. when the office is typically closed. Unlocking access to 24/7 booking ensures patients can book when it’s most convenient for them.
How Dermatology Providers Can Stand Out
Show off your space
Relative to dermatology providers with zero office photos, those with 4 or more office photos got 3.3x as many bookings.
More languages, more bookings
Dermatology providers who speak two languages received 1.5x as many bookings compared to providers who only speak 1 language.
Reveal your glowing reviews
Relative to dermatology providers with 1 to 9 reviews, those with 10 to 29 reviews got 3.3x as many bookings.
Are you confident in your skin?
Dermatology providers on Zocdoc received an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Only patients who have seen providers can leave a review on Zocdoc’s platform, which creates a trustworthy environment and encourages bookings.
If you’re aiming to expand your reach and attract new patients, the data-driven insights above can help you refine your marketing strategies and align your services with patient expectations. Speed to care, convenient locations and a user-friendly booking experience via mobile and desktop are just a few of the factors that matter most to dermatology patients. In today’s competitive dermatology landscape, platforms like Zocdoc –– that enable easy booking and help make your online presence pop –– can easily connect you with new patients actively seeking dermatologists.
Consult with an enterprise sales representative to learn more about how Zocdoc can grow your business.