Okay, so today I wanted to share a little something I’ve been doing – writing thank you notes to patients. Sounds simple, right? But it actually took me a bit to get a good system down, so I figured I’d walk you through what I did.
Getting Started
First, I realized I needed some nice, but not overly fancy, stationery. I didn’t want anything too formal, just something simple and clean. I wanted to find something easy and special, not something from the office-supplies.
- I spent maybe 20 minutes just browsing online, looking at different designs.
- I ended up ordering a box of plain white cards with matching envelopes. Nothing too flashy!
Crafting the Message
This is where I initially got a little stuck. What exactly do you say? I didn’t want it to sound generic, like I was just going through the motions. So, I thought about what I genuinely appreciated about each patient.
- I started by making a list of things: Did they have a positive attitude? Were they particularly brave during a tough procedure? Did they ask thoughtful questions?
- Then, I used that list to write a few sentences specific to them. For example, I might write something like, “It was a pleasure getting to know you, and I was so impressed by your courage during your treatment,” or “Thank you for your trust and your insightful questions. It makes a real difference.”
- I try to keep it personal.
Making it a Habit
I knew if I didn’t make this a regular part of my routine, it would quickly fall by the wayside. So, I decided to dedicate a small chunk of time each week.
- I picked Friday afternoons. It seemed like a good way to end the week on a positive note.
- I set aside about 30 minutes, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on how many notes I needed to write.
- It became a really nice ritual.
Seeing the Results (It’s Worth It!)
Honestly, the best part has been the reactions. It is really good! I’ve had patients tell me how much the note meant to them, how it brightened their day. It just feels good to do something small that can have a big impact.
It’s a little thing, writing a thank you note, but it’s become something I really value. It’s a reminder of the human connection in what I do, and it makes me feel good too. Hopefully, this little rundown of my process is helpful if you’re thinking of doing something similar!
