If you are in the health industry, then you know the excitement that comes with starting a medical practice on your own. However, the freedom to stay and work independently can present several obstacles. Note that it is possible to purchase an existing practice as an alternative to opening a medical practice from scratch. However, if you are starting from the ground up, you should consider aspects such as:
1. Location
Where you set up your medical practice can significantly affect your finances as well as your well-being. Getting a perfect location may take days or months, but it is worth your time and effort.
Patients want to go to a clinic that is easy to access.
Choose a location that will allow convenient entry and exit, preferably away from main streets and busy highways. You need premises with ample parking space. If you choose a building with other medical practitioners, carry out a background check on the nature of traffic, hours of operation, and confirm any forms of restrictions.
Consider a location that will accommodate patients who use public transport. In this regard, it will also be a good idea to think of a bus stop with a shelter to protect patients. Pick a location with designated handicapped parking that can also accommodate wheelchairs.
2. Hiring Process
For you to have a successful medical practice, you need to allot some energy, time, and attention into getting the right people to work with. The internet has made it easy for employers to post and reach out to potential employees. However, having a standardized method of doing it makes things easier and streamlined. A structured interview approach is as effective as the traditional method of interview. It offers reliability and validity and also gives interviewees equal chances of being selected. Of course, you should always look for the best candidates available. Preferably, your ideal candidate would have advanced medical certification on their resume.
3. Technology
The right technology will help you capture, store, share, and analyze medical information. You can utilize tools like electronic health records (EHR) to help you in planning and for compliance. The benefits of EHR go beyond standard data collection in medical practice.
EHR will help you provide better health care by providing up-to-date, accurate, and complete patient information as well as enhancing privacy and security of patient data. You can use EHR to capture patient’s data such as the history of present illness, demographic information, test results from multiple doctors, and medical history. This will help in the long-term view of the health of a patient.
4. Background Check Options
Medical professionals handle sensitive information daily and this is why medical practice operates on trust. Apart from procedures and tools, you need a background check on your staff. Staff background check goes beyond employment and criminal history. Your staff should possess certain licenses and certificates for safe practice.
5. Policies
You need policies and procedures to set a plan of action to guide your desired outcomes and in making decisions. Policies can help employees understand their roles and responsibilities, therefore, policies should serve as a foundation for delivering cost-effective and quality healthcare.
New regulations and requirements keep coming up. You need to stay up to date with such regulations and ensure that they are effectively disseminated to staff to foster cooperation and efficiency in service delivery.
6. Insurance
The investment you make at the initial stages of the practice will have a long-term impact on your business. Therefore, before you fully dedicate yourself to caring about people, you need a cover that will have your back no matter what.
Medical practices come with risks since you have to deal with sensitive information from a variety of patients. General liability insurance can offer coverage against lawsuits as a result of bodily injury and property damage. Commercial property insurance covers your premises while business income insurance will help you recover lost business in the event of damage caused by a fire.
Make Smart Decisions
Your medical practice becomes your home for as long as your career life allows. A successful medical practice takes proper planning and the best start possible. Whether it’s a solo practice or group practice, you’ll need to be careful with every aspect of making your start-up a success. Poor business decisions in the beginning can have detrimental consequences on your medical practice affecting cash flow.
