Case Study: How One Podiatry Clinic Increased Shockwave Bookings by 60%

The Challenge

Dr. Sarah Chen's podiatry clinic in Austin, Texas had invested in shockwave therapy equipment two years ago. Despite the clinical results being excellent, booking rates remained disappointing.

"We knew the treatment worked," Dr. Chen explains. "But patients just weren't saying yes. They'd nod along during explanations, then say they needed to think about it. Most never came back."

The Numbers Before

• Treatment acceptance rate: 35%
• Average consultations per week: 12
• Shockwave sessions booked per week: 4-5
• Patient return rate after "thinking about it": 15%

Identifying the Problem

Dr. Chen's team surveyed patients who declined treatment. The feedback was consistent:

• "I didn't really understand what it would do"
• "It sounded too good to be true"
• "I couldn't picture how it worked"
• "The cost seemed high for something I didn't understand"

The issue wasn't the treatment—it was the explanation.

The Solution: Visual Patient Education

The clinic implemented three changes:

1. Interactive 3D Visualization

Instead of verbal explanations, staff began showing patients exactly where shockwave therapy would target using Wave3D's interactive visualization.

"The moment patients could see their specific condition and how treatment would work, everything changed. It went from abstract to concrete."

2. Standardized Consultation Flow

The team developed a consistent process:

1. Diagnose and identify the condition
2. Show the affected area in 3D
3. Demonstrate how shockwave therapy targets that area
4. Discuss expected outcomes and timeline
5. Address questions with visual references

3. Follow-Up Materials

Patients received a summary with visuals they could review at home and share with family members involved in healthcare decisions.

The Results After 3 Months

• Treatment acceptance rate: 56% (up from 35%)
• Average consultations per week: 14
• Shockwave sessions booked per week: 8-9
• Patient return rate after "thinking about it": 40%

That's a 60% increase in shockwave bookings.

What Made the Difference

Dr. Chen attributes the improvement to three factors:

Comprehension

"Patients finally understood what we were offering. When someone can see exactly what's happening in their body and how treatment helps, they make faster decisions."

Trust

"Showing detailed visuals signals that we know what we're talking about. It builds confidence in our expertise."

Shareability

"Many patients need to discuss major health decisions with spouses or family. Giving them something visual to share made those conversations easier."

Key Takeaways

• Visual education dramatically improves treatment acceptance
• Patients decline when they don't understand, not because they're not interested
• A standardized consultation process ensures consistent results
• Follow-up materials help patients who need time to decide
• The investment in better education tools pays for itself quickly