Prepare your healthcare practice for 2022

5 ways to set your private healthcare practice up for the coming year

We’ve waved goodbye to the whirlwinds that were 2020 and 2021 and it is the start of a new year. No one could have expected the past two years or the challenges we have faced, particularly in healthcare. But a lot has been learnt in the past 24 months and healthcare has adapted to be more flexible, more resilient, and more accessible for all. 

As we embark on a new year, now is the perfect time to make sure your practice is prepared in the best possible way for any challenges the year may throw at us and to ensure that 2022 is a year of growth for your business.

Here are five ways to help prepare your business for the year ahead.

1. Improve the patient experience

The patient’s experience matters, especially in private healthcare where patients are choosing to invest in your service. Your patients want to feel valued and cared for, especially during uncertain times, so creating an efficient yet personal experience is vital.

Improving patient communications will help patients to feel more at ease and help build trust in your practice. Practice management softwares with built-in messaging features, such as SMS and email confirmations, create a regular communications channel with patients and ensure that they are kept up to date and cared for. You could even consider incorporating more personalised communications, such as e-thank you cards, or 'Happy Birthday' wishes throughout the year.

2. Set clear goals

If you want to grow your private practice this year then it’s time to set some goals. Outlining exactly what you want to achieve and correlating that into achievable and precise goals will provide a clear path to success that your entire team can work towards together. 

It is essential to have a practice management system in place that provides key business insights such as revenue, expenses, clinical performance, and patient data, in order to monitor your growth and progress.

Find out how Semble uses analytics to support practice management here.  

If you are just starting out on your business ventures, then setting clear goals for growth and achievements is even more crucial. Dr Gero Baiarda from GDPQ covers this in more detail in Semble’s ebook ‘Launching a Private Practice’.

3. Make better use of your time

It is often the smaller tasks that end up taking the most time, such as writing letters, responding to emails, checking up on invoices, and processing payments. January is often a time for a declutter, so take the opportunity to declutter your schedule and make better use of the hours in the day. 

Adopting an efficient practice management software can save multiple hours a week with more streamlined, digital processes. Doctors can request labs while taking patient notes during consultations and make use of e-prescriptions, which deliver medication straight to the patient’s door. Admin staff can set up automated billing reminders to manage payments more effectively, as well as using tasks and reminders to keep ahead of their workloads.

Being time-effective goes beyond the in-house tasks of practice operations. It could also mean cutting down on commute time with the adoption of remote work and more telehealth consultations, or hiring more staff to support your growing practice. There are many ways that you can start reclaiming time in the day to dedicate elsewhere, whether that be for focusing on business growth or giving back some time to yourself, as well as focusing on patients. 

4. Upgrade your software

Adopting a management software that is built to support your private healthcare practice by providing a strong infrastructure will help deliver excellent patient care and grow your business further. 

The most common symptoms of an out-of-date software system include:

• Frequent system crashes
• Duplication of work
• Lack of automation
• Poor usability 

With features such as online booking, digital invoices and payments, and remote consultation services, a suitable software can improve all aspects of your business operations by saving time spent on daily administrative tasks and increasing the flexibility and capabilities of your practice.

5. Be more flexible

The past two years have shown us the importance of being able to adapt to any given situation. Telehealth is a prime example of this - being able to contact your doctor online and access healthcare services from anywhere, remotely, has saved time, money, and, undoubtedly, lives. 

It is particularly worth considering how your practice is using online health services in the current climate. Following the implementation of social distancing in March 2020, telehealth consultations increased by over 50% and have remained high, particularly among patients aged 18-49 years. Many patients prefer the ease and flexibility of online healthcare and it can be more convenient for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Other online health services such as online booking, virtual appointments, and e-prescriptions have enabled practices to provide outstanding healthcare services to their patients, regardless of location or personal situation. Incorporating these systems into your private practice will bring increased flexibility that can both improve the patient experience and increase your practice’s capacity and efficiency.

Find out about Semble’s online health services here.

Taking these five steps to improve your practice and prepare for the year ahead will set you up in the best possible way for the coming months. Make 2022 a year of growth and success.