How to Build Trust Through Patient Reviews in Healthcare

According to a study, at least 84% of patients make sure they read online review sites to evaluate a healthcare provider. 

Let’s be honest– we all get pretty picky when it comes to choosing a healthcare provider. It’s not just about who’s closest or who has the flashiest ads anymore.

Since it’s for our health and well-being sake, it’s pretty much about trust so that we have that peace of mind. 

Meanwhile, trust itself is built on real experiences, not just empty promises on digital banners or billboards.

That’s where patient reviews come in.

All those unbiased experiences from someone who’s been there and done that give us a nudge and proof of whether the healthcare service is solid or just smoke and mirrors.

Now, the question is: how can healthcare providers use reviews to boost credibility and gain trust?

Continue reading to learn:

• Why does trust matter in healthcare?
• How to encourage patients to leave a review
• How to showcase patient reviews effectively

Why Trust Matters in Healthcare?

Healthcare is a field where outcomes can directly impact a person’s quality of life. Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must, a necessity. 

When patients seek medical care, they’re looking for more than just a provider with the right qualifications. 

They’re looking for someone they can rely on during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. 

Whether it’s for a routine checkup or a complex procedure, patients need to feel confident that their healthcare provider has their best interests at heart.

So, when you appear as a healthcare provider they can rely on, they’re more likely to follow treatment plans, be honest about their symptoms, and maintain a long-term relationship with their provider. 

This trust then leads to better communication, improved patient satisfaction, and ultimately, better health outcomes.

On the flip side, a lack of trust can have serious consequences. Patients who don’t trust their provider may delay seeking care, ignore medical advice, or switch providers frequently. 

All of which can lead to poorer health outcomes. 

The patient’s health might be worse, or their condition could go undiagnosed or untreated for longer, complicating their recovery.

Remember that healthcare options are plentiful, and trust is what sets one provider apart from another.

Encouraging Patients to Leave Reviews for Trust-Building

A satisfied patient’s story can do more for your reputation than any ad campaign ever could. But how do you turn those positive experiences into glowing reviews?

Let’s explore practical strategies to encourage your patients to leave the kind of feedback that builds trust and draws in new patients.

Make It Simple and Convenient

The easier it is for patients to leave a review, the more likely they are to do it. 

Provide clear instructions on how they can leave a review, whether it’s through a follow-up email, a text message with a direct link, or even a tablet at the front desk. 

The key is to eliminate any barriers. 

Don’t make them hunt down the review site or jump through hoops. 

A quick, hassle-free process increases the chances of patients taking a few minutes to share their positive experiences.

Ask at the Right Time

Timing is everything when it comes to soliciting reviews. 

The best moment to ask is shortly after a positive interaction, when the patient’s experience is still fresh, and they’re feeling good about their visit. 

This could be right after their appointment, via a follow-up call, or in a personalized email. 

(Source: Mailer Lite)

A timely request makes sure that the patient’s positive feelings are still top-of-mind. This way, they’re more likely to leave a fresh, thoughtful, and enthusiastic review.

Personalize Your Request

A generic request for a review can easily be ignored. Instead, personalize your request to make it feel more genuine. 

Address the patient by name, mention specifics about their visit, and express sincere gratitude for their time and feedback. 

When patients feel like their individual experience is valued, they’re more motivated to share their positive impressions. A personal touch can turn a simple request into a meaningful connection.

Incentivize and Reward

Offering a small incentive can be a great motivator for patients to leave a review. 

Provide a token of appreciation, such as a discount on future services, a gift card, or entry into a raffle. 

(Source: AutomatedWoo)

Make sure to mention that the reward is for taking the time to share their feedback, not for leaving a positive review specifically.

Trustmary Makes It All Effortless

From gathering and showcasing feedback to leveraging it in your marketing efforts, Trustmary simplifies every step.

With Trustmary, collecting patient reviews is effortless. Automated requests and easy-to-use platforms make you never miss a chance to capture valuable feedback. 

Once you’ve gathered those reviews, Trustmary’s intuitive tools help you showcase them beautifully across your website, social media, and marketing materials. 

Whether it’s embedding reviews directly on your homepage or creating stunning testimonial videos, Trustmary’s features make it easy to turn positive feedback into a powerful trust-building asset.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Trustmary also offers insights and analytics to help you understand how your reviews are performing and identify opportunities for improvement. 

This all-in-one review tool makes sure that every review counts toward building your practice’s reputation and credibility.

With everything streamlined and managed in one place, you can focus on what really matters: providing excellent care and building lasting relationships with your patients.

How to Showcase Patient Reviews Effectively

Once you’ve gathered those valuable patient reviews, the next step is showcasing them in a way that truly shines. 

Simply collecting feedback isn’t enough. You still need to present it in a manner that highlights its impact and credibility. 

All those positive reviews mean nothing if you don’t make them visible and accessible to potential patients. They need to be prominently displayed so people can easily see and read them.

This effective showcasing turns reviews into a powerful tool for building trust and attracting new patients.

Feature Reviews on Your Homepage

Your homepage is often the first place potential patients will visit, so it’s the perfect spot to showcase glowing reviews. 

Create a dedicated section or a rotating carousel that highlights a few of your best testimonials.

You can use Google reviews or an animated video montage to visually capture the positive feedback to add a dynamic element that engages visitors right away.

Like what Appel Orthodontics did. They embed Google reviews directly on their homepage, so visitors can see real-time feedback from patients without having to navigate away from the page. 

This way, the reviews are more accessible and reinforce the authenticity and relevance of the testimonials.

(Source: Appel Orthodontics)

You can embed Google reviews directly on your site with Trustmary so that your visitors can see real-time feedback and read testimonials from satisfied patients.

With the Google Review Widget, you can effortlessly display an up-to-date feed of reviews.

We make sure that this immediate visibility helps build trust and credibility– so that your visitors have a strong first impression of the quality of care you provide.

Use Social Media for Social Proof

Social media platforms are a great way to share patient reviews with a broader audience.

Regularly post positive reviews and testimonials on your social channels, using eye-catching graphics or short video clips to highlight the feedback, while staying updated with YouTube trends.

Encourage your patients to share their own reviews on their personal profiles, and tag your practice to amplify the reach. 

For example, Boutik Dermatology has a highlight on its Instagram profile dedicated to patient testimonials. 

Adding a collection of positive reviews and before-and-after photos helps them create an easily accessible showcase of their patient’s experiences and results.

(Source: Boutik Dermatology)

With Trustmary, you don’t have to spend minutes designing eye-catching posts— with just a few clicks, its Social Media Sharing feature creates polished, professional-looking content that you can instantly share across your platforms.

Create a Dedicated Reviews Page

Designate a specific page on your website solely for patient reviews and testimonials. 

This review page can serve as a comprehensive resource where visitors can read through detailed experiences and feedback from your patients. 

Organize the reviews by categories, such as type of service or patient concerns, to make it easier for prospective patients to find relevant information. 

This dedicated space not only highlights your practice’s strengths but also provides a centralized location for potential patients to explore the positive experiences of others.

(Source: Titan Orthopedics)

Highlight Reviews in Your Office

Don’t overlook the power of physical spaces. Display patient reviews prominently in your office. 

A patient might make the first visit for consultation, but deep down, they’re still not sure about committing. 

Seeing positive reviews displayed in your office can reassure them that they’ve made the right choice and that others have had excellent experiences with your care.

Use framed testimonials in waiting areas, create a review wall, or have a digital display that rotates through positive feedback. 

This will reinforce your credibility with current patients while at the same time creating a welcoming environment that shows new visitors your commitment to quality care.

Invest In Video Testimonials

For some new patients, text-based testimonials or reviews aren’t enough to convince them of your practice’s quality.

Video testimonials can be incredibly persuasive and engaging. 

Ask satisfied patients if they’d be willing to share their experiences on camera. 

A brief, heartfelt video can capture the emotional impact of their experience in a way that written reviews often can’t. Feature these videos on your website, social media, and in marketing materials. 

(Source: Carelon Health)

Use Reviews to Build Case Studies

Transform detailed patient reviews into informative case studies that showcase your success stories. 

Case studies provide context and depth to patient feedback, illustrating how your services have made a difference in real-life scenarios and offering potential patients a detailed look at what they can expect.

Develop in-depth profiles based on individual patient experiences, highlighting the problem, the treatment provided, and the positive outcomes achieved. 

For example, Reframe Cancer Support has a dedicated page to show their patients’ unique stories and detailed case studies. 

This page features in-depth accounts of individual patient journeys, highlighting their experiences, treatments, and successful outcomes. 

By showcasing these comprehensive stories, they provide potential patients with a deeper understanding of their services and the real impact they have on people’s lives.

(Source: Reframe Cancer Support)

Integrate Reviews into Your Online Ads

Boost the effectiveness of your online advertising by integrating patient reviews into your ad campaigns. 

Highlighting real patient experiences in your ads provides social proof and can make your campaigns more persuasive. 

Potential patients will feel more confident about choosing your services.

Whether you’re running Google Ads, Facebook ads, or other digital promotions, incorporating snippets of positive feedback with a little bit of motion graphics can enhance your ad’s credibility and appeal.

Incorporate Reviews into Your Practice’s Story

Use testimonials to illustrate key points about your values, mission, and the impact of your care. 

For example, if you’re highlighting your commitment to personalized care, include reviews that specifically praise this aspect. 

By aligning reviews with your practice’s core message, you create a cohesive and compelling story that resonates with potential patients and reinforces the trustworthiness of your services.

Building a Trustworthy Reputation with Trustmary

In healthcare, trust is the foundation of successful patient-provider relationships. Anything that you try to offer should be reliable and safe so that patients understand that their well-being is your priority in every detail. 

Reviews influence patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and overall health outcomes. If you’re a healthcare provider yourself, why don’t you start gathering reviews right now by signing up to Trustmary for free, unlimited testimonials?

FAQ on Reviews for Healthcare Providers