Nisha Bunke, MD, FAVLS, RPhS, Medical Director and Founder of La Jolla Vein & Vascular.
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With nearly two decades of experience under my belt as a venous and lymphatic medicine specialist, I’ve learned quite a lot during my journey to becoming the medical director at La Jolla Vein & Vascular. Providing trailblazing patient care is always the gold standard. Still, in my experience, I’ve learned that growing a medical practice comes down to several factors—not just improving patient outcomes, although that does help a practice grow.
In this guide, I’ll share six invaluable tips I wish I had known when I started my own medical practice. Whether you own an established practice or want to work for yourself one day, these tips can help you avoid the steep learning curve of practicing medicine and running a business simultaneously.
1. Prioritize patient-centered care.
Medicine is primarily concerned with identifying and fixing patient concerns as best as possible. But patients aren’t numbers or checkboxes. Understanding the emotional and physical toll on patients is crucial for any medical practice. Empathy and personalized care can improve patient outcomes, helping ensure better satisfaction and even faster recovery times.
2. Assemble an expert team.
I've found that one of the best ways to make a name for yourself and build a world-renowned reputation is by assembling an expert team. A team of highly trained professionals is also critical if you want to build up a sizable patient roster and a thriving medical practice. For example, in my practice, I have Harvard-trained vascular interventional radiologists and a Duke-trained vascular surgeon, who are fellowshipped and trained in venous and lymphatic disorders. High levels of expertise allow you to provide exceptional care and attract patients seeking the highest quality treatments.
By the way, every staff member matters, not just those in patient-facing roles. For instance, having skilled IT and accounting personnel ensures smooth operations behind the scenes. When your staff fires on all cylinders, you’ll elevate the quality of care at the practice and build a more stable foundation for growth.
3. Invest in cutting-edge treatments and research.
Being known as the go-to provider for advanced treatments can significantly boost your reputation and attract more patients. By continuously updating your practice with the latest treatments and technologies, you can improve patient outcomes and stay ahead of the competition.
Investing in research is also vital. For the past 15 years, I’ve led clinical studies to advance the field of vein care. This improves the quality of care by arming my team with the most up-to-date information and builds a reputation for my practice as an innovator.
4. Don’t forget about marketing.
While the quality of care matters most, results won’t always speak for themselves—you need to get the word out! The bare minimum is a high-quality website, social media presence and email newsletters.
To grow your practice, I recommend you kick things up a notch. Ask patients for reviews on Google, for example. Word-of-mouth referrals and testimonials are also incredibly powerful and can attract new patients to your practice.
5. Get active in the community.
Marketing lays the foundation for growth, but medical practices can’t rely on a few Facebook posts to bring patients through the door. I've learned that community engagement is, hands down, the best way to build a solid local reputation. That might mean:
• Sponsoring local sports teams
• Offering pro bono services or free health checkups
• Hosting free workshops
• Giving free talks about health at community centers
Sharing this information freely builds your reputation and establishes goodwill with the community. You can always encourage your audiences to visit your practice if they want to learn more, so community engagement is also a smart way to attract more patients.
6. Run a tight ship.
Patient experience is everything. You may be a great provider, but if your back-office experience is subpar, patients won’t return. Think about how you could improve appointment scheduling, patient communication, prescription refill requests and more.
Electronic health records (EHR) can streamline a lot of this for you. Consider using automation and software to help with this. Many providers are nervous about using new tech for fear of HIPAA violations, but with the right approach, you can solve a lot of headaches in your business without breaking any rules.
Telemedicine is also a game-changer. Not only can it provide a new revenue stream, but it also benefits patients who are elderly, disabled or located in rural areas. Of course, you can’t take all appointments virtually, but telemedicine can sometimes be faster and more convenient than in-office visits.
As effective as software and automation can be, don’t overlook the power of clear leadership. Delineate responsibilities between employees so everyone knows what they’re responsible for. With clear job descriptions, it’s much easier to hold each team member accountable for results.
Creating a way forward for patients is at the heart of growing a successful medical practice. When we focus on the patient, we provide the best care and solve common pain points in medicine. As a doctor and entrepreneur, you have the power to make your own way and do things differently. Learn from my experience: Follow these six tips to build a thriving, reputable medical practice that not only meets but exceeds patient expectations.
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