Before anything else, your ophthalmology clinic will be on its way to succeeding if you have done the basics first. What are these basics? This is getting a medical license and making your business legitimate. Both are really important steps that you have to take before proceeding to any other tips on how to make your practice succeed. Getting your license and making your practice and clinic legitimate are to make sure that you are operating legally and that you abide by any rules and regulations. All this is not only security to you as an entrepreneur and ophthalmologist, it also is security to your future patients. You want your patients to trust you and to feel comfortable coming to you for any services they need. You also have to understand that running an ophthalmology clinic means that you are both an entrepreneur and an ophthalmologist. Medical practitioners are also entrepreneurs, especially those who run their own clinics. They deal with the same business issues and handle the same problems as other businesses. It may be hard to do it all while tackling the medical problems but it is doable and medical practitioners have been doing it for years. As for being an ophthalmologist, your license guarantees that you have developed all the skills you need to start practicing. You have to be confident that you can provide excellent service to your patients. If not, consider fellowships before opening up your own clinic. It will prepare you and it will build up your confidence and of course you will gain more knowledge.
If all is well, you are a licensed medical practitioner and your clinic has all the permits needed for it to be called a legitimate business then it’s time to dive into improving your business. Before we get right into the tips, it is a good reminder to look at all the problems you have been experiencing so that you know where to start and what to fix.
Right Location
The location can make or break your business. This applies to most businesses out there that require their patients, clients, and customers to visit their clinics or stores. Putting your clinic in the right area is considered to be free advertising. If your clinic is in a heavy foot traffic area, more people will see you, which means more people will be aware of your practice. Establishing your clinic with less or no competition is also an advantage.
Advertise your practice
You can do this by using marketing strategies. Setting up a clinic doesn’ guarantee heaps and heaps of patients. If you’re a new practitioner with a new clinic most likely the only people who will know about your business are your friends and family or the friends or your friends and family but that won’t be enough to make your practice thrive. You need to gain new customers consistently. This also applies to those who have been ophthalmologist longer. Patients come and go. You need to balance those who leave by getting new patients. That’s why marketing is a good investment. There are multiple marketing efforts that you can do. Each kind is suited for different purposes. To maximize the effectiveness of marketing you have to make sure that the one you are using is the right one for you. To know more about marketing check out imatrix.com/ophthalmology-marketing/.
Avoid handling procedures you are not trained for
Eye care is a wide expertise. That’s why there are optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, and orthoptists. Each has their own specialty. Stay in your lane and do what you specialize in. If a patient comes into your clinic with a problem that you are not suited to treat, refer that patient to someone you know who can help them. You will increase the likelihood of your colleague returning the favor if you do that. Know your skillset and what you can and can’t do. Conducting wrong procedures can cause lawsuits and you don’t want that. You want a track record that’s clean and it will also make your patients feel secure with you.
Invest in new technologies and techniques
Always be improving your practice because it might cost you right now but it will pay off in the long run. Also technological advancements usually also promote efficiency in the work you do.
Don’t sell yourself short
Don’t lower your fees just because you want to compete with cheaper clinics. If your pricing is reasonable and you know that you really provide the service that is worth that price, keep the prices you have. It also helps to research the usual charges for procedures to guide you.
Challenge yourself constantly
Always strive to be better. You can always improve things that will lead you to have a top notch clinic. Ask for patient reviews through surveys. Ask for ratings and recommendations through the survey. Change what needs to be changed and maintain and improve what is already good. Listen to your patients.
Maintain access to capital
Keep not less than 3 months’ expenses worth of cash and cash equivalents—accounts receivable, credit lines, working capital accounts, personal funds—at the ready. You want to be secure financially. This acts as safety nets for emergency purposes.
Hire dependable and trustworthy personnel and staff
Running a business is not a one man show. It consists of a team. Even if you are a talented ophthalmologist, your practice may fail without a fully engaged staff. You have to lead them into making the workplace a harmonious environment. Through monitoring their work and mentoring them and being just a strong leader overall, you can push your team towards the goal you want to achieve.
Establish your plans and goals
You need to know what you are working towards. Knowing your goals allows you to monitor and assess your progression. It allows you to see if you are at your desired growth rate or if not at least you know that you have to work harder and do better. All these tips are for nothing if you don’t know what you want to achieve from it.
