Number 1 : Questions & Observation .
When first meeting your new patient , you want to start by greeting them by name , introducing yourself , and stating your credentials or title . It will soften the first exchange between you and your patient and provide them with valuable information regarding who you are .
Once that first contact has been established , you should confirm the reason for their appointment with you . You would be surprised how many times I have said to a patient , “ I see you are in for a consultation today about X ,” and they have replied , “ No , I ’ m here because of Y .” Never assume ; we know all too well the saying about “ assuming ” anything ! Of course , the complications of providing the wrong treatment could be catastrophic for both you and the patient .
Once you have established the patient ’ s reason for the consultation , you can initiate dialog to get to know them better and gather history , which should include all relevant medical history , their current and past physical and mental state , medication , contraindications , lifestyle , current skincare routine , and any previous procedures .
If they have had cosmetic procedures before , further the dialog , learn about the outcomes and if were they happy with the results . Was their experience a positive or negative one ? Were there any adverse reactions or other things to consider ?
The information gathered will help you know how to conduct your consultation . Each patient is different , and you will have to adapt the way you communicate to each one of them . For instance , a patient who is new to cosmetic procedures may have different questions , than a more seasoned patient but you also must adapt to their prior experience with cosmetic procedures and their medical history . These patients may also be feeling nervous , as opposed to someone who has already had a procedure who may be feeling excited .
[…] a successful consultation will have the patient feeling informed and eager to book their next appointment before they have even concluded their current one .
Ask appropriate questions , listen carefully to the answers and watch their body language . In fact , posture , gestures , and facial expressions can tell you a lot about whether the patient is engaged or if you are “ talking at them , not to them .” You want to ensure that there is two-way communication with your patients to ensure a satisfactory outcome .
While you will meet with a wide range of patients , you may need to adjust your approach and make sure that each one fully understands you when you are discussing products and procedures .
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