Do you want to expand your medical practice without collapsing? Here are 12 realistic tips to safely and effectively grow your practice in 2020.

In 2018, there were almost a million active doctors in the United States. Of these, 17.9% of medical practices were run solo.

If you’re running your practice on your own, you might feel it’s difficult to attract new patients. By setting a plan and sticking to it, you can set yourself up for success in 2020.
Here are 12 realistic ways you can grow your practice this year.
With these tips, you can expand your reach, attract new patients, and grow your medical practice. Get started with these 12 tips!

1. Set SMART Goals

The first step for success in 2020 is to determine your goals. Setting SMART goals will provide your team with a focus and hold them accountable. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
You can set personal, professional, and financial goals for your practice.
Here’s how to set a SMART goal:

• State what you want to accomplish (considering who, what, where, and why)
• Determine how you’ll measure your goal (so you know it was met)
• Make sure it’s a goal that stretches your abilities but remains achievable
• Set a goal that aligns with your practice’s main objectives
• Set a specific deadline so you can stay on track

A SMART goal will give your team a timeline and keep you all on the same page. For example, you might decide to increase your number of patients by 15% in two months. This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-specific.

2. Hire a Strong Staff

In order to achieve your SMART goals, you need a dedicated staff.
Make sure your team is professional, well-educated, and efficient. Otherwise, your staff will slow your practice down.
Your staff should know how to run the office and how to interact with patients. Search for people with exceptional people skills.
By establishing a strong team, you’ll have the support you need for success. Then, you can use these creative ways to increase patient satisfaction as a team.

3. Get to Know Your Team

Once you have your team, make sure to create an environment where they feel like a united front. To do so, start by finding creative ways to get to know everyone. Make sure each member of your team feels valued.
That way, your staff will feel comfortable communicating with you about their needs.
Try going out for birthdays or establishing other office traditions.
Uniting your team will ensure your medical practice remains a united front.

4. Stress Why You’re Unique

You want your medical practice to stand out from others in your area. In order to show potential patients you’re unique, consider your value proposition. Then, advertise this unique value as a part of your brand.
What do you want people to know you for?
Maybe you provide special classes for your patients so they can improve their health. Consider what your patients need and look for in your practice.
Once you determine your unique value, stick with it.

5. Offer Phone Training

Sometimes, patients become frustrated and unruly on the phone. As a result, it’s important to make sure your staff at the front desk can handle these patients.
Consider offering phone training to your staff. This skill will ensure your team acquires the correct contact information from patients while remaining calm. As a result, they’ll streamline the process, keep patients calm, and help your practice grow.

6. Provide Valuable Information

Google processes over 40,000 search queries every second. That’s about 3.5 billion searches a day. With search engine optimization (SEO), you can make sure patients find your website online when they search using Google.
Create helpful blog posts, infographics, and videos for your patients. Show them you have a wealth of knowledge you can offer.
Posting online will help you attract new patients. At the same time, you’ll show existing patients your practice is there to help.

7. See Your Practice From the Patient’s POV

Put yourself in a patient’s shoes for a moment. What problems do they experience when they visit your practice?
For example, they might have to wait an hour before they see a doctor.
This frustration could cause you to lose patients. In order to use these creative ways to increase patient satisfaction, you need to prioritize the patients’ needs. Sometimes, that means not taking new patients for a while.

8. Expand Your Services

Look at your competitors. What services are they offering?
Determine if there are any new services you can add. Consider the demographics in your area as well. For example, if your practice is located in an area where seniors live, you might want to offer free health screening for seniors.
Provide services that reflect your patients’ needs to further expand your practice.

9. Send Out Surveys

Determine your strengths and weaknesses as a medical practice by sending out satisfaction surveys. Your patients will tell you what you’re doing right and how you can improve.

10. Stay Updated

Technological advancements occur in the medical field all the time. Make sure your practice offers the best by remaining equipped with the most current medical equipment and tools.
Then, advertise your new portable ultrasound machines or X-rays as a part of your brand.
Let your patients know you stay updated and ahead of the curve.

11. Use the Right Billing Software

The right billing software can streamline your office’s workflow. This can improve billing coding, improve your cash flow, and cut down on claims denials.
A high-quality medical software will also give your medical practice a positive reputation. Patients will know you have a well-managed office and choose you over less efficient competitors.

12. Remain Social

Show patients your practice cares by remaining social between visits. For example, you can send out emails with your latest blog posts or share news on social media. You can use these marketing methods to strike up a conversation with patients.
That way, they’ll remember your practice is there to help.

Realistic Tips for Growing Your Practice in 2020

Ready to grow your practice this year? With these 12 tips, you can set new goals and accomplish each one! Expand your reach and discover new patients with these 12 tips!
Want to simplify your practice this year? Contact us today to get started!