120 - Tips for Growing Your Hospital Bariatric Program

In this episode of Bariatric Business Accelerator, Karol Clark shares what she sees inside hospital and health system bariatric programs when growth slows. The issue usually isn’t demand. It’s friction in access, navigation, trust, and patient guidance. Today’s patients research for months, compare GLP-1 medications with surgery, rely on AI search, and choose providers they trust and can access easily. They aren’t searching for a procedure. They’re searching for relief, better health, and quality of life. In this episode: • The new patient decision journey • Why growth stalls despite rising obesity rates • How slow response & confusing steps cause drop-off • Why trust signals matter more than ever • The impact of internal misalignment in health systems • Why referrals still matter in a digital world • Quick wins to improve access, trust, and conversion Simple actions that move the needle: ✔ Create a clear “Start Your Journey” pathway ✔ Respond to inquiries the same day ✔ Use patient navigators to guide next steps ✔ Share physician videos & real patient stories ✔ Publish condition-based education patients search for ✔ Track conversion metrics to identify drop-off points Programs that win today aren’t the biggest. They’re the easiest to access, trust, and start. 👉 Free resources & scheduling: weightlosspracticebuilder.com 📩 Contact: karol@weightlosspracticebuilder.com Subscribe for insights on building efficient, patient-centered, and growth-focused bariatric programs. #BariatricSurgery #HealthcareLeadership #HospitalAdministration #PracticeGrowth #PatientExperience