Why Your Medical Practice Needs a Mission Statement (+ How to Write One)

April 18, 2022 by Antonio Arias, MBA, CHBME

Topics: Practice Management

What is the guiding philosophy of your medical practice? Do you have it clearly written and in plain view for your patients on your website, in your office, as part of your employee handbook?

If you’re not sure or cannot fully articulate your medical practice’s mission, then it’s time to develop one that speaks to your patients and your staff. A mission statement isn’t reserved for non-profit organizations—it’s a brief yet effective statement that illuminates your practice’s purpose, goals, and more.

Let’s dive into the details of what is a mission statement, why it’s important for your practice, and how to write one.

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What Is a Mission Statement?

A mission statement is rather self-explanatory in terms of the name; it’s a piece of writing that describes why your practice exists in the first place. Unlike other types of business writing, such as a Statement of Purpose or Vision Summary, the mission statement reveals the values of the business and should take on an inspiring tone.

Your mission statement can be displayed in a myriad of ways including:

  • Reception area or waiting room
  • Exam room
  • Brochures and pamphlets
  • Newsletters
  • Stationary
  • Website
  • Blogs
  • And more!

Your medical practice needs a mission statement

Why Is a Mission Statement Important?

Your medical practice needs a mission statement for a few reasons:

Help Your Patients Know the Core of Your Practice

One reason to feature a mission statement in your practice and on your website is to inform patients of the core values of your medical practice. Patients will have their own perceptions and expectations for their experience with you and your staff, but seeing a brief yet impactful description from your practice’s perspective can help inform their perception.

Distinguishes You From the Competition

Anything that your practice can do to stand out from the competition is a good idea; a mission statement is one such manner to do so! This potent piece of writing is a great way for your patients to get a glimpse of how your practice operates and some creativity can go a long way to make your practice more memorable.

Increase Patient Engagement

When you put a personal message, such as a mission statement, out into the world for your patients to see and respond to it, it builds patient engagement. You never know how deeply your mission statement might resonate with your patients, and that might make all the difference between a returning patient or someone who goes elsewhere for their care.

Essential Elements of a Mission Statement

While the mission statement’s length is generally short—no more than 100 words or a few sentences—there are some essential elements to incorporate when writing a great statement for your medical practice; these elements include:

Philosophy of Care

Your medical practice exists to deliver great care to your patients and community, of course. But how can you phrase that in a way that expresses your philosophy of care without sounding like every other healthcare mission statement? Work with your staff to brainstorm language that effectively communicates the philosophy of care that your practice operates under. 

Principles

What are your practice’s core values and guiding principles? If you work within the mental health field, perhaps you’re dedicated to removing the stigma surrounding mental health and actively work to inform your community about it. Establishing and expressing your practice’s principles is a core component of a compelling mission statement.

Should Inspire Patients and Staff

Finally, your mission statement should be enlightening and inspiring for both your patients and your staff. After all, it’s articulating the driving force of your practice’s existence and intentions within the community! Make it captivating and engaging—your audience will respond accordingly.

How to write a mission statement

How to Write a Mission Statement in 3 Steps

Writing a mission statement for your medical practice doesn’t have to take days or weeks, it just takes a little time and creativity. 

Write a mission statement in these simple steps and tweak the language to best fit your practice and your audience:

  1. Define your medical practice’s purpose: articulate what your practice does to serve your patients and the community
  2. Describe the company's goals and objectives: briefly highlight what sets your practice into motion
  3. Be specific and brief: avoid using jargon or superfluous words that will distract your reader from your mission statement

Your medical practice’s mission statement can be a great resource both in terms of marketing and for connecting with your patients. However, if you feel that other administrative tasks are taking away from time spent with your patients and bettering the patient experience, then you might want to consider partnering with an outside firm.

For example, if your medical coding and billing processes are putting a strain on internal resources and your overall healthcare revenue cycle, then partner with NCG Medical for immediate relief! With our experts who have experience in your specialty by your side, you’ll enjoy a streamlined medical billing process and optimized revenue cycle so that you can focus on what matters most: your patients.

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