Messaging platforms are the preferred means of communication now. In 2017, Facebook Messenger had 1.3 monthly active users. As the monthly active user count grows, businesses are using messaging tools like Facebook Messenger to create chatbots to connect with customers and prospects to quickly deliver personalized information. A computer program that mimics human conversation, chatbots are becoming more common on websites across all industries.
Just last month, in response to this growing trend, Johnson & Johnson Vision (JJV) announced that they have created Andy, a chatbot to help answer contact lens patients’ questions about removing and caring for contact lenses. The chatbot Sunny, from Zeiss, brings awareness to protecting eyes from harmful UV light. Even Warby Parker has their own chatbot.
But, how can individual optometric practices leverage the functionality of a chatbot to increase patient engagement and create stronger communication between your practice and your patients?
Using Chatbots To Improve Patient Engagement in Your Optometric Practice
Why Use A Chatbot?
Whether automated or monitored by your optometric practice staff, a chatbot can be used in your practice to enhance patient engagement by delivering personalized content to the chatbot users when they need it.
Some uses for a chatbot in your optometric practice may include:
- Checking a patient in
- Communicating appointment availability
- Confirming orders status
- Encouraging patient portal use
- Answering frequently asked questions like hours of operations
Creating A Chatbot For Your Optometric Practice Website
Using a few tools and Facebook Messenger, you can create your own chatbot and add it to your optometric practice website to boost patient engagement and communication. The best part about it is that you don’t need to know a lot of computer code to configure the chatbot.
Check out this post from Social Media Examiner for tips on how to create a chatbot for your optometric practice and work with a trusted adviser to ensure that you’re following national, state, and local laws and regulations.
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