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In this episode, Dr. Barbara Hales discusses how AI transforms how doctors connect with their patients to work smarter, not harder. Dr. Hales explains that AI is not about replacing human interaction but enhancing it by automating administrative tasks, enabling doctors to focus more on patient care. She outlines how AI can personalize patient outreach, send timely reminders, and target communications based on patient behaviors, health history, and preferences.

Dr. Hales highlights three powerful use cases for AI:

  • Personalized outreach: Sending customized messages to patients, such as appointment reminders or health tips based on their needs.
  • Smarter email targeting: Automating email campaigns tailored to different patient segments (e.g., young moms, seniors, diabetics), leading to higher engagement and more bookings.
  • Social listening: Monitoring online conversations about the practice to spot concerns, amplify positive feedback, and address trending topics, like launching guides based on patient discussions.

With AI tools like MailChimp, Active Campaign, and Hootsuite Insights, doctors can improve their patient communications without needing to be tech experts. Dr. Hales emphasizes that these tools are easy to implement and immediately impact patient engagement and retention.

Key Takeaway:
“AI is here to make healthcare more human by automating the busy work and giving doctors more time to connect with their patients in meaningful ways.” – Dr. Barbara Hales.

Connect with Barbara Hales:

Twitter:   @DrBarbaraHales

Facebook:   facebook.com/theMedicalStrategist

Business Website: www.TheMedicalStrategist.com

Show website:   www.MarketingTipsForDoctors.com

Email:   Barbara@TheMedicalStrategist.com

Books:

YouTube: TheMedicalStrategist

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/barbarahales

 

TRANSCRIPTION

Welcome and Introduction

Dr. Barbara Hales (00:02) Welcome to another episode of marketing tips for doctors. I’m your host, Dr. Barbara Hales, and today we are talking about how you can work smarter, not harder, when it comes to getting new patients, and also attracting your current patients with your new partner, AI.

 

AI: Revolutionizing Medical Practice

Dr. Barbara Hales (00:35) This topic is revolutionizing how doctors are operating their medical practice and connecting with their patients. Now, before you imagine robots taking over your front desk, let me stop you right there.

Dr. Barbara Hales (00:46) AI isn’t here to replace the human side of medication and medicines. It’s here to make your outreach smarter, more targeted, and more personal, without burning you or your staff out.

Smarter, Not Harder: How AI Helps Connect with Patients

Dr. Barbara Hales (01:09) Today’s episode is smarter, not harder. How AI helps you connect with patients? Let’s get into it. Let’s start with the basic truth: Your patients want to feel seen, heard, and remembered. That’s the foundation of great care and great marketing.

Dr. Barbara Hales (01:23) But as your schedule fills and your admin team juggles tasks, it becomes harder to give every patient that personal touch. That’s where AI comes in. AI doesn’t make healthcare colder. It can actually make it more human by automating the busy work that keeps us from real connection.

What is AI in Healthcare Marketing?

Dr. Barbara Hales (01:39) So what is AI in this context? It’s software that uses data to send the right message to the right patient at the right time based on their behavior, needs, and preferences.

Dr. Barbara Hales (01:53) Let me break that into three powerful use cases: personalized outreach, smarter email targeting, and social listening.

Use Case 1: Personalized Outreach

Dr. Barbara Hales (02:10) Imagine this: A 58-year-old patient with high cholesterol hasn’t booked a follow-up appointment in nine months. Your AI system flags it and sends a gentle email. “Hi, David. It’s time to check in on your heart health. Book your next appointment today.” That’s not a mass blast, that’s automated personalization.

Dr. Barbara Hales (02:28) Real-world examples: patients with asthma get reminders before pollen season. Women over 40 get mammography nudges near their birthday, and diabetics get tips on managing blood sugar during the holidays. You’re nurturing your patient relationships without lifting a finger and with better timing than most humans can deliver.

Use Case 2: Smarter Email Targeting

Dr. Barbara Hales (03:23) We’ve all sent out newsletters or updates and heard crickets. AI takes email marketing from shotgun blasts to laser-focused conversations.

Dr. Barbara Hales (03:30) What does it do? Segments your patient lists automatically by age, health history, appointment behavior, or interest. It predicts when each person is most likely to open your message, and it optimizes subject lines and content based on past engagement.

Dr. Barbara Hales (03:47) Example: Instead of sending the same email to 1,000 patients, you send a wellness checklist to young moms, a Joint Health Guide to active seniors, or a diet guide for diabetic patients. The result: higher open rates, more bookings, and patients who feel like you’re speaking directly to them.

Use Case 3: Social Listening

Dr. Barbara Hales (04:30) Here’s the truth: Patients are talking about your practice online, but are you hearing them?

Dr. Barbara Hales (04:39) AI-powered social listening tools scan social media, review sites, and health forums to pick up on patterns, sentiment, and concerns in real time.

Dr. Barbara Hales (04:56) It spots complaints early, like long wait times or phone service, it identifies patient praise to amplify on your website or testimonials, and it notices rising interest in services you provide, like hormone therapy or allergy testing.

Dr. Barbara Hales (05:09) One pediatric clinic noticed a spike in online chatter about RSV. They quickly launched an RSV prevention guide and posted tips online. It positioned them as proactive and responsive, which patients loved.

Entry-Level AI Tools for Doctors

Dr. Barbara Hales (06:01) If you’re interested but not sure where to start, you don’t need to invest in some million-dollar system. Here are a few entry-level AI tools you can try.

Dr. Barbara Hales (06:04)

  • Solution Reach
  • Well Health
  • Patient Pop

Dr. Barbara Hales (06:10) Tools for smarter email include:

  • MailChimp with AI subject line optimizer
  • Active Campaign for behavior-based triggers
  • Constant Contact with predictive send time

Dr. Barbara Hales (06:27) Tools for social listening include:

  • Hootsuite Insights
  • Brand 24
  • Sprout Social

Closing Remarks: You Don’t Need to Be a Tech Expert

Dr. Barbara Hales (06:45) You don’t need to be techie. You just need to be curious and willing to experiment. These tools will change how your practice performs and how receptive your current patients and prospective patients will be.

Dr. Barbara Hales (06:55) The tools mentioned will be in the show notes, so you can check each one at your leisure. You don’t have to be a Silicon Valley startup to deliver 21st-century care. You just need the right mindset and the right partner.

Conclusion

Dr. Barbara Hales (07:05) If this episode opens your eyes to how AI can make your patient communication smarter, not harder, I’d love to hear from you. Send me your questions, share this episode with a colleague, and don’t forget to subscribe to Marketing Tips for Doctors for more strategies to grow your practice without losing your soul in the process.

Dr. Barbara Hales (07:23) Until next time, I’m Dr. Barbara Hales. Stay visible, stay valuable, and stay human.