Guide to Writing a Thank You Letter for Patient Referral

Last updated August 21, 2023

Writing thank you letters for a patient referral is essential for medical professionals. Still, busy schedules can sometimes make it difficult to find time to write and send a personalized card. Handwritten and customized letters can make the recipient feel special and remind them how important they are to your business. In this article, we talk about the value of a patient referral thank you note and provide examples of how you can write one yourself.

What is a Patient Referral Thank You Letter?

A patient referral thank you letter is usually sent to the physician who referred their patient to you and your medical practice. You should send these letters every time you receive a patient referral to express gratitude for them trusting you with their patient. A patient referral thank you letter will brighten the other physician’s day and likely lead to more patient referrals from them in the future.

Why Writing a Thank You Note Is Important

Writing a thank you letter for a patient referral may seem like a simple courtesy. Still, it can actually be a great gesture to foster positive relationships with other medical professionals. Such personalized touches show how much you respect the recipient’s ability to carry on with the patient’s medical journey. That said, other physicians are also more likely to refer you if a connection already exists.

How to Write a Thank You Letter for a Patient Referral

An effective thank you letter consists of different elements that create a personal connection and build rapport. When written correctly, the effort develops into a mutually beneficial relationship between you and other medical professionals. Here are the steps to writing a thank you note for a patient referral.

1. Start with a professional greeting. Greet the recipient with their professional title and full name to show respect.
2. Express gratitude for the referral. Talk about the patient they referred and how grateful you are that they thought to recommend you. Use phrases such as “Thank you so much for thinking of me…” and “I appreciate your confidence in our office…”
3. Offer patient referrals for them in the future. Extend an olive branch to start a mutually beneficial professional relationship when it comes to patient referrals.
4. Conclude with thanks. Thank them once again for the patient referral, and leave your contact information, so they know how to reach you in the future.
5. Proofread before sending. Grammar and spelling mistakes are unprofessional and will make your letter look sloppy. Be sure to edit your letter for any errors before sending it.

Sample Thank You Notes for Patient Referrals

Now that you know how to construct a thank you note, look at these samples of thank you letters for inspiration.

Thank you letter for an individual or patient’s referral

Dr. Laura Smith
Designation/Specialization
XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Smith,

Thank you so much for thinking of me and referring Katie Miller to me as a patient. This is a great compliment, and I guarantee that Katie will be satisfied with the services at our clinic.
I will be sure to think of you in the future when I have a patient who needs a physician referral, as I’d like to extend the same favor. Thank you for your referral, doctor, and for the confidence you have in me and our practice.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Johnson

Thank you letter for an organization’s referral

Dr. John Harrison
Designation/Specialization
XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Harrison,

Thank you for referring Johnson and Johnson to work with our practice. I’m so grateful that you thought of us when they were looking for a referral. I hope to work with you again in the future for other opportunities like this one.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Garcia

Thank you letter for a colleague’s referral

Dr. Brianna Clark
Designation/Specialization
XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Clark,

Thank you for referring your colleague to work at our practice. We’re so excited to work with them and look forward to this new partnership. If you ever need assistance at your practice, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Brown

Other Types of Thank You Referral Letters

If you need some more inspiration or just need a more specific kind of thank you referral letter, we’ve got you covered.

Doctor referral thank you letter

Dr. Rebecca Williams

Designation/Specialization

XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Williams,

Thank you for referring your patient to me. I’m so glad that you thought of me and my practice when they needed a referral. It means a lot to me to have your trust in our ability to take care of your patient. I will be sure to keep you updated on their progress, and look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Smith

Hospital referral thank you letter

Dr. Sarah Jones

Designation/Specialization

XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Jones,

I would like to thank you for referring your patient to our hospital for care. They were a pleasure to work with, and I am confident that we can provide them with the best possible medical treatment. I will keep you apprised of their condition and progress going forward.

Again, thank you for your confidence in us and for giving us the opportunity to help your patient.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amy Taylor

General medical referral thank you letter

Dr. Mark Anderson

Designation/Specialization

XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Anderson,

I want to thank you for referring your patient to our practice. I understand the trust it takes to recommend someone else’s care, and I am humbled that you chose us. Our medical team will do everything we can to ensure that your patient receives the highest quality of care.

If you have any questions or need our help in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer White

Dental referral thank you letter

Dr. Jason Brown

Designation/Specialization

XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Brown,

Thank you so much for referring your patient to our office for dental care. We are honored that you thought of us, and I am confident that we can provide them with the best possible treatment. I look forward to working with you in the future and am grateful for your trust in our office.

Sincerely,

Dr. Matthew Harris

Physician referral thank you letter

Dr. Scott Taylor

Designation/Specialization

XX Clinic/Hospital

Dear Dr. Taylor,

I am writing to thank you for referring your patient to our practice. I appreciate the trust it takes to recommend someone else’s care and am humbled that you chose us. Our medical team will do everything we can to ensure that your patient receives the highest quality of care.

If you have any questions or need our help in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Dr. Maria Lopez

The Value of a Well-Written and Sincere Thank You Letter

Writing a thank you letter for a patient referral is the best way to expand the number of patients you have and create greater connections with other medical professionals.

Handwrytten can help you streamline the process of sending a patient referral thank you letter to as many people as necessary. We offer 25 different handwriting styles and the ability to add business cards to your thank you note. Handwritten notes offer that thoughtful touch to any message you want to send, whether for professional or personal purposes.

Visit Handwrytten’s website today and sign up to start sending your personalized patient referral thank-you letters!