Presented on 24/07/23
Outline for Your best clinical practice webinar
What is the purpose of your business?
Services you offer
Clinic space
Delivery & systems
Marketing and networking
Future proofing
Creating your best clinical practice
Outstanding questions:
1. At what stage does your business need to be at to benefit from a VA?
This I feel depends on many factors, however, It is important to have a VA or in clinic support from the beginning to support you with the reception, appointment booking, patient set up, admin areas or areas that you are needing support with.
Having this support provides clear boundaries and separates you as the clinician/expert and keep you focused on your role. This I feel is a big part of growing your business and not burning out in running a business. If you are working part-time, I still feel it is important to have a shared VA or service to deal with enquiries and bookings.
2. Which practice management system do you use?
Pracsuite https://www.pracsuite.com/
3. How do you manage working with difficult patients?
Great question. Giving clear expectations of my role and the probable expectations and outcome of their health journey. Having good boundaries with communication such as phone, messenger and emails. Having a VA or receptionist screen calls and emails helps if you have demanding patients. At times, referring patients on if my style of communication or treatment is not suited for the patient.
4. Any tips for working with Telehealth?
Use a paid service for unlimited time and privacy features 2) Have two screens so you can engage with the patient and have their file on the other screen to take notes. 3) Make sure you have a good quality camera. 4) Make sure you allow 5-10 min extra time between patients as I find Telehealth is more time consuming. 5) Look into the camera and do your best to engage. 6) Have appropriate backdrop, I have my clinic to provide the real life clinic experience, otherwise use an appropriate virtual background.
5. What is a hybrid clinic ?
Working in more than one space such as a physical clinic and telehealth.
6. How long did it take you to have a regular clientele?
3-5 years. The first three years I worked as a Naturopath 60% and Massage therapist 40%. At the five year mark I would have been 80% Naturopathy 20% massage but at full capacity. After ten years I was completely Naturopathy. I loved body work, so I did find it hard to let go of, I could have done this earlier.
7. Are there any major drawbacks for continuation of care or health outcomes in moving your clinical practice online? Or the same patient outcomes as in-person?
Yes. I feel the patient outcomes are far better when patients come into the clinic. It allows you to have the full human, hands on experience. It allows you to have the ability to do a physical examination, pick up on body language and utilise the intuitive healing component that is much easier in person.
I do find telehealth is wonderful, I started doing this in 2018-19 when we were experiencing the drought and some of my patient could not afford to travel ( I have a large remote client base). I see most of my patients in person initially and offer a mix of telehealth and in-clinic if they live more than 1 hour away for follow-ups.
8. What is the best advice for a new graduate? Is there something you wish you had been told?
Where to start? Move to a Practice Management System sooner. It will make being professional and running a business and practice so much easier and save you so much time. I feel it is very important to have a mentor or be part of a clinic that allows you to work with experienced an Naturopath or other health professional. I feel it should be part of a graduate program, I am not sure if this exist now? Spend the time to learn from the experts as you develop your skills and potential specialty.
9. Do you have any tips or a specific a resource you recommend for communicating and building referral networks with allied health practitioners?
Work with them if possible in a multi-disciplinary clinic in the early years while you are establishing. Ideally obtain all the allied health practitioners and GPs details in your local area and enter them in your data base and write to them. When you see a patient, explain that it is important to inform their health practitioners that you too are supporting them on their health journey and gain informed consent to write to their GP or allied health practitioner. Being consistent in this area of communication creates a level of professionalism and respect for you and over time reliable referrals from other health professionals. It takes consistency and time.
10. Worksheet - something I can print and brainstorm on. Happy to pay! Does Liza have a worksheet on a website?
Yes, I have lots of worksheets. I am not clear on the specific question. Please reach out to me. info@lizatwohill.com
