For many physicians, starting a practice can be difficult. However, if you’re ready to take the leap to become your own boss, then you’ll want to learn everything about starting your own medical clinic.
Here, we provide tips to help you overcome common roadblocks.
1. Provide a Great Patient Experience
Paying a visit to any medical clinic can bring about unwanted nerves. As a healthcare provider, it’s important to quell patient concerns and provide comfort with an exceptional experience. Satisfied patients are more likely to return to your clinic or recommend it to their friends and family.
There are countless ways to improve patient experience, such as minimizing wait times, demonstrating an interest in patients, and providing a waiting area. For example, one way to reduce waiting times is by using portable digital X-ray machines.
This equipment produces images faster than traditional film-based X-rays, resulting in shorter appointment times. Portable X-rays, like the ones from Maven Imaging, also eliminate the need for patients to move to a separate radiology department.
2. Get Funding
After spending endless hours locked away in a library studying for exams, and learning the ropes in residency, running your own practice might seem like a breeze.
However, a lack of funds tends to be one of the biggest deterrents to starting or growing a medical practice. Fortunately, there are many loan options to choose from.
Many traditional banks offer medical practice loans, which offer more generous borrowing limits than other business loans. Some medical equipment suppliers or healthcare finance companies may offer equipment financing solutions. You’ll need to put in a down payment and agree on repayment terms that fit the lifespan of the equipment.
Also Read: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Nurses for Your Clinic
3. Implement Proven Marketing Strategies
It’s not uncommon for patient care physicians to work in physician-owned practices. It’s essential for medical practitioners to stay visible by building a positive online reputation in order to succeed. This is especially true for private practices that don’t necessarily get the same public rub from the healthcare system.
You’ll need to use digital marketing strategies such as incentivizing patients to leave positive reviews on Google My Business and Yelp. Also, consider content marketing and PPC advertising campaigns to increase visibility. Most patients will Google specific keyword phrases about a symptom they’re experiencing or look for treatment options for a problem. For example, a chiropractor may want to rank for the phrase “how to deal with back pain.”
Also Read: Strategies Nurses Can Use to Enhance the Patient Experience
It’s also important to optimize your website for conversions. Consider implementing a 24/7 online scheduling functionality on your site where patients can easily schedule their appointment and input important details such as symptoms or the reason for their appointment.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re fresh out of residency or want to spread your wings by going outside the larger practices, starting your own clinic can provide you complete autonomy over the type of patient care you want to specialize in.
Not to mention, you can set your own work hours and find fulfillment in creating a practice that aligns with your unique vision and values. Follow the tips laid out in this post to start and grow your medical clinic.
