{"id":1158,"date":"2024-11-17T16:07:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-17T16:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.referralsfordoctors.com\/?p=1158"},"modified":"2025-01-24T00:19:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T00:19:06","slug":"referral-management-the-decision-to-keep-it-in-house-or-to-outsource","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.referralsfordoctors.com\/2024\/11\/17\/referral-management-the-decision-to-keep-it-in-house-or-to-outsource\/","title":{"rendered":"Referral Management: The Decision to Keep It In-House or to Outsource?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a healthcare professional, you know the incredible value of receiving referrals from other physicians. But doctor referrals don\u2019t grow on trees \u2013 ripe for the picking. Not only do you have to seek them out, but you also have to maintain a steady flow of newly referred patients \u2013 and most importantly, nurture and protect those referral relationships.<\/p>\n

That requires a certain amount of networking skill and proactive effort \u2013 on top of all your many other responsibilities trying to run a thriving practice.<\/p>\n

Which begs the question: Should you outsource your referral<\/a> management efforts, or are you better off keeping that task in-house?<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons of In-House Referral Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s only natural to first consider designating someone who is already on your staff to act as a referral marketing liaison. Someone who is bubbly and outgoing should be able to represent your practice to potential referral sources, you might assume \u2013 especially if yours is a relatively small practice.<\/p>\n

The advantages of doing so are twofold: First, they\u2019re already a paid employee and, therefore, you won\u2019t have to pay for outsourced referral services. Second, they already know all about you and your practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But as logical and cost-effective as this in-house strategy might sound, it does have its disadvantages that could end up hurting, rather than helping, your practice. You could lose in terms of reduced staff productivity and missed profit-making opportunities. Your staff is not trained in sales and you will still need to manage their daily responsibilities \u2013 and they are not well versed in a reporting system necessary to show results. They will need to learn all of this all while staying adept to what is going on with the referral relationships. Enlisting the help of an experienced referral management service provider will ensure your office doesn’t miss a beat!<\/p>\n

Evaluating Your Referral Management Approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n

That\u2019s why before you delegate this responsibility to one of your in-house personnel, instead of outsourcing<\/a> it to a knowledgeable and experienced healthcare referral service provider, ask yourself these key questions:<\/p>\n