Medical professionals go through years and years of studying and training at school to get where they are, before settling on their chosen field. Many will want to work in a hospital or start their career in an established practice; others will decide to take a chance and start their own.
The one challenge that faces almost all of them is that despite their extensive medical knowledge, they have not been taught how to operate a business. Your own practice is just that: a business and a whole new set of skills are involved if it is going to be successful.
Mistakes and some bad decisions along the way are inevitable, but these tips will start you off on the right foot and bring the patients in for many years to come.
1) Invest in up to date equipment and technology
Your patients don’t want to feel like they’re getting medical treatment from someone who is ten years behind everyone else. In recent years, there have been many exciting advances in medical technology, and it is essential you embrace it and keep up to date with it. Make sure you have the latest ultrasound system or booking system. Consider ways that you can get in touch with your patients to remind them of appointments, perhaps through email or text message reminders. This not only helps your patients but reduces the amount of missed appointments (and therefore lost revenue!) for you.
2) Think like your patients
Getting into their mindset from the early stage will help you to grow your business. Think about what your patients will want from you. Do you have a confident and relaxed ethos? Are your offices and waiting areas comfortable and inviting? Remember, many of your patients will be anxious about their appointment. Make sure you and the environment put them at ease. Listen to their feedback and take it on board – what can you do to improve your practice further?
3) Build a good team
Your staff will be both your most significant cost and your biggest asset. It is virtually impossible to run a successful business alone, so make sure you have a good team around you from the start. Think about who is going to take on the day to day running of the practice and who is going to do the admin work and support the medical professionals, allowing them to concentrate on treating their patients.
4) Expand your services
As your business grows, it may be worth looking into taking on extra staff and increasing the range of services your practice offers. For example, if there is a large number of pregnant women or young children in the area, perhaps you could employ an obstetrician or a pediatrician. Pay attention to the demographics in the community and how they may change in the coming years and plan accordingly. Don’t forget to promote these services through quality, targeted advertising and marketing – don’t underestimate the power and usefulness of social media for doing this.
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