Take control of your practice

Your practice is a fragile ecosystem, and if handled with care and compassion, it will flourish. The following requirements are critical when it comes to patient care:

• Best practice standards and protocols
• Well-trained staff
• Attention to detail
• Understanding your equipment
• Treatment planning (discipline specific)

Running your practice is no different, and requires the same principles listed above.

A profitable practice needs patients, without patients there is no business. It is also far easier to retain existing patients than to attract new ones, although both should be pursued with equal vigour depending on your practice requirements.

Show your patients that you care! You know you do, but do they?

Patients’ first contact with your practice should be a pleasant and hassle-free  experience, whether the first contact is made telephonically or via an online request. First impressions, whether good or bad, last; swaying public opinion can be a costly and tedious task. It is important to get this right from the outset. This can partly be achieved by ensuring your staff are eloquent and polite, and well trained on any systems you use.

A satisfied  and valued patient is more likely to settle accounts on time, and is also less likely to litigate in the event of failed treatments.

Consider implementing the following at your  practice:

• Management skills: You don’t necessarily have to be a practice manager to analyse reports and understanding data obtained from your practice.
• Telecommunications infrastructure:  This can include your online booking system, inbound calls, or email bookings.
• Appointment confirmations
• Communication: Appointment reminders, credit control, personalised messages, etc.
• Improve patient flow
• Collections: Collect co-payments prior to procedural admissions or consultations.
• Maintain trust and respect
• Adhere to safety and quality protocols
• Keep staff well-trained
• Take accountability
• Go the extra mile
• Take extra caution with small payer groups: Medical aid contracts with lower fee structures tend to be more admin intensive.

Remember by increasing your automated systems for your business, you will ensure that your day-to-day operations run seamlessly, and ultimately improve the overall patient experience.