Independent healthcare practices face stiff competition and plenty of challenges –from large hospitals and tech-enabled disruptors to tough payer negotiations. The need to send patients to ASCs or hospitals for surgical procedures also means lost revenue, added costs, and delays for patients.
Luckily, savvy practice managers have a wealth of tools at their disposal to build their practice – from marketing outreach to partnerships and even procedural changes. Here are four sure-fire ways to grow your practice AND keep patients and staff happy.
Build Your Digital Footprint
Maintaining a regular social media presence can be grueling without a full-time professional to do it. But at a time when 46% of patients find their doctors online, it’s mission critical.
The first thing to do is find and claim your presence on any medical directories. Most of them are free to physicians unless you opt to use more advanced features. By formally taking ownership of your name, you can customize details to help show off your capabilities and expertise. After that, claim your business on Google (here). This will make it easier to find you on Google Maps, allow for photos, hours of operation, contact information, and a link to your website.
Next, make sure you have a simple website that won’t require a lot of maintenance. Eliminating complex tools for patient communication doesn’t just reduce risk, it also minimizes downtime and complex technology issues. Your patients need to know who you are, what you do, and where to find you – and how to book an appointment, of course.
Add In-Office Procedures to an Existing Practice
To thrive, you need to grow to a level of sustainability where you control all the key “levers” that support quality care, an excellent patient experience, and your own quality of life.
With the right support—and the right partner—surgeons and proceduralists are increasingly transitioning many common surgical procedures in-house. This not only keeps revenue and patient care under your own roof but is also much simpler than you might expect. For over 30 years, AAC has delivered the gold standard in ambulatory anesthesia while helping physicians expand the capabilities of their offices and successfully move procedures from facility settings to their practices. We also have a wealth of resources on this very topic, and if you’re ready to dive deeper, our comprehensive guide to in-office procedures is available now.
Finding Trusted Partners
Partnering with a third party requires confidence that they have your best interests at heart. Independent physicians, working outside of large health systems, often provide the kind of personal, focused care that communities value most.
AAC is here to ensure that as you grow or strengthen your business foundation, the mission that inspired your independent practice remains at the center of your work. We offer extensive support—handling everything from anesthesia equipment build-out and supply chain management to pre-screening patients and managing billing. Our team integrates seamlessly with yours, ensuring a smooth workflow.
Plus, thanks to our relationships with major payers and many state Medicaid organizations, our anesthesia services and expert consulting come at no or minimal additional cost.
With AAC, there’s no need to compromise growth for satisfaction. Our 95% client retention rate speaks volumes, with many of our partners choosing AAC repeatedly for over two decades.
Engage with your Community
It may seem passe, but sponsoring a sign at a little league stadium or having a float in a local parade can still have a real impact. Healthcare can feel increasingly impersonal as groups conglomerate. By standing out as the friendly local neighbor providing personal care to your community through these almost quaint methods, your practice is set apart.
Of course, these have a hard cost attached to them. For opportunities that limit the cost to time, joining or hosting public health events at local libraries, schools, and charities are an excellent way to accomplish that same advertising opportunity.
Growth Takes Dedication – And New Strategies
Independent practices have many tools to grow sustainably, from building a digital presence to engaging with the community and partnering with third parties. Among these, in-office procedures stand out as a game-changer, boosting revenue, improving patient access, and enhancing care quality.
By combining these strategies, your practice can thrive while staying true to its mission. Explore our guide to office-based surgery to learn more. And if you’re ready to explore how this model could work for your practice, get in touch with us!