Did you know your hospitals host “educational workshops”?
They do this for their employees, patients, and the general community!
Hospitals often see education as a key part of their mission, and many offer workshops and classes to educate patients, families, and the community on various health topics. Workshops related to oral health are a common topic, and dentists are often invited to conduct these workshops.
By hosting educational workshops, hospitals can provide valuable information to their patients and the community, while also demonstrating their commitment to promoting overall health and wellness.
And get this, hospitals host these workshops all the time!
Hospitals tend to host educational workshops on a regular basis as part of their commitment to patient education and community outreach. These workshops can provide valuable information to patients, families, and the community, and can help raise awareness about important health topics. By hosting workshops on a regular basis, hospitals can demonstrate their commitment to promoting overall health and wellness.
The frequency of educational workshops hosted by hospitals can vary widely depending on several factors, including the hospital's size, focus, and resources. Some hospitals may host workshops on a weekly or monthly basis, while others may host workshops a few times a year. The frequency of workshops may also depend on the topics being covered, the target audience, and the availability of speakers and resources.
These “educational workshops” are also a fantastic way to attract new patients to your practice!
By conducting workshops, you can reach a large audience and increase awareness about your dental practice and the services you offer. Additionally, you can demonstrate your expertise and establish yourself as a trusted and knowledgeable provider in the community. Participants in your workshops may be interested in your services, and may choose to become patients at your practice.
Hosting educational workshops can also provide opportunities for networking and building relationships with other healthcare providers in the hospital, which can lead to additional referrals and opportunities for growth.
It's important to remember that the goal of hosting educational workshops should be to provide valuable information to the audience, rather than solely to acquire new patients. By providing informative and engaging presentations, you can build trust and credibility with your audience, and increase the chances that they will become patients in the future.
Could you host or be a part of an “Educational Workshop”?
Oh yeah! In fact, in this article I am going to show you exactly how you can do that. First you need to find the hospitals that actually host and offer these educational workshops.
Here are some steps you can follow to find a hospital that will let you conduct an educational workshop:
- Research potential partners - Look for local hospitals that have a commitment to patient education and outreach, and have a focus on oral health.
- Reach out - Contact the hospital's community relations or marketing department, and introduce yourself and your practice. Explain your interest in conducting an educational workshop and what topics you would like to cover.
- Provide information - Provide detailed information about your qualifications, experience, and the content of your workshop. Offer to provide references and additional materials, such as brochures or testimonials.
- Make your case - Emphasize the benefits of your workshop, such as the value it will provide to the hospital's patients and the community, and how it will align with the hospital's goals.
- Follow up - If you don't receive a response within a reasonable time frame, follow up with a polite reminder. If you receive a positive response, work with the hospital to finalize the details and coordinate the logistics of your workshop.
The main thing that has always worked for me, once I’ve done step one, is reaching out to the hospital’s marketing department or the hospital’s representative. Actually, you will need to speak to someone in the hospital's community relations or marketing department, always. This department is typically responsible for coordinating events and programs that are designed to engage the community and promote patient education.
You can start by reaching out to the department via phone or email and introducing yourself and your practice. Explain your interest in conducting an educational workshop and provide information about your qualifications, experience, and the content of your workshop. You may also want to offer to provide references and additional materials, such as brochures or testimonials.
The hospital may ask for additional information or request a meeting to discuss your proposal in more detail. If your proposal is accepted, the hospital will work with you to finalize the details and coordinate the logistics of the workshop.
It's important to be professional and respectful when communicating with the hospital, and to understand that there may be several factors that influence their decision, such as availability of space, resources, and funding. By being persistent and professional, you increase your chances of success in securing a partnership with the hospital.
What do you say, over the phone, to the hospital's marketing department, if you want to host an educational workshop?
Here is a sample script that you can use when speaking with the hospitals marketing department over the phone:
You: Hello, may I please speak with someone in the community relations or marketing department?
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Hospital Representative: Yes, this is [Name]. How may I help you?
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You: Hi [Name], my name is [Your Name] and I am a dentist with [Practice Name]. I would like to discuss the possibility of hosting an educational workshop at your hospital.
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Hospital Representative: Sure, what type of workshop are you interested in conducting?
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You: I would like to host a workshop on oral health and wellness, specifically how it relates to overall health and well-being. My goal is to provide valuable information to the community and increase awareness about the importance of oral health.
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Hospital Representative: That sounds interesting. Can you tell me a bit more about your qualifications and experience in this area?
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You: Of course. I have [Number of Years] of experience in dentistry, and I have a particular interest in educating the public about oral health. I have spoken at several community events and have received positive feedback from the audience. I would be happy to provide references if needed.
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Hospital Representative: Great, thank you for that information. Can you tell me what kind of resources you would need from the hospital to conduct the workshop?
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You: I would need a meeting room that can accommodate [Number of Participants] people, and access to audio-visual equipment. I can provide all of the educational materials and handouts for the workshop.
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Hospital Representative: Okay, let me check on the availability of our meeting rooms and get back to you. May I have your contact information so I can reach you if needed?
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You: Of course. My phone number is [Phone Number] and my email is [Email Address].
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Hospital Representative: Thank you. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
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By following this script, you can provide the hospital with the information they need to determine if they can accommodate your request and help you host an educational workshop. It's important to be professional and courteous, and to emphasize the benefits that the workshop will provide to the community and the hospital.
Now, sometimes you may get a “I don’t think this is possible at the moment” or a “you cannot host a workshop”. Do not panic if you hear this.
What if the hospital representative tells me "you can not host an educational workshop"?
If the hospital representative tells you that you cannot host an educational workshop, you can respond by asking for feedback and clarification.
Here is a sample script:
You: I understand. May I ask why my request to host the workshop has been declined?
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Hospital Representative: I apologize, but at this time we are not able to accommodate your request. We have a limited budget for community events, and we need to prioritize other programs that we have already committed to.
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You: Thank you for your response. I appreciate your honesty and transparency. May I ask if there is anything I can do to make my proposal more attractive, or if there is a better time to reapply?
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Hospital Representative: We would be happy to review your proposal again in the future if our resources become available. In the meantime, you may consider hosting the workshop at another venue or collaborating with other local organizations.
By asking for feedback and clarification, you can understand the reasons behind the hospital's decision and determine if there are any steps you can take to improve your chances of success in the future. It's also important to thank the hospital representative for their time and keep the lines of communication open, as this may increase your chances of success in the future.
Don’t ever think just because you are being declined, right now, that’s the end of it. Keep a positive attitude and still work on the relationship between you and the hospital representative.
In conclusion...
Maintaining a positive relationship with a hospital representative is important when seeking to host an educational workshop or pursue other opportunities with the hospital. Here are some tips to maintain a positive relationship:
- Be professional: Always communicate in a professional and respectful manner, and avoid being confrontational or dismissive of their concerns.
- Be proactive: Take initiative to address any concerns the hospital representative may have and provide solutions that meet their needs.
- Follow up regularly: Stay in touch with the hospital representative and follow up regularly to keep the lines of communication open. This may involve sending regular updates on your progress or reminding them of your goals and objectives.
- Show appreciation: Express your gratitude for their time and support, and acknowledge their contributions. This can help to build trust and maintain a positive relationship.
- Be flexible: Be willing to make compromises and be flexible in your approach. This may involve adjusting your proposal or finding alternative ways to achieve your goals that are more aligned with the hospital's goals and resources.
By following these tips, you can maintain a positive relationship with the hospital representative, and increase your chances of success in achieving your goals, such as hosting an educational workshop.
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