The healthcare industry’s key focus is on improving the lives of patients and providing essential patient-centred services. However, another aspect of healthcare is ensuring that a practice or clinic remains successful, profitable and achieves constant growth. After all, how can practitioners help or care for patients if their business has gone bust? In today’s article, we have a look at exactly what goes into the business of healthcare, so read on to find out more.
Providing Excellent Patient/Customer Service
To put it bluntly, no matter how fantastic your medical services are, if you offer a poor patient experience, chances are you are going to find yourself losing patients to your competitors. This is why a huge part of the business of healthcare is focused on creating a positive experience for all patients. In 2020, patients expect to be able to book their appointments online, spend minimal time in the waiting room and be greeted by a high level of customer service and bedside manner at hospitals, practices and clinics. This is why it is so important that modern practices utilise tools such as practice management software, telehealth services, video conferencing and other technologies that allow for patients to have a seamless and efficient experience at all times.
Business Training is Now Essential
Did you know that once upon a time, business training in medical schools was almost unheard of? Fast forward to 2020 and you’ll find that a number of medical schools are now offering their students and doctors business training. This is simply because times have changed, and doctors are now expected to not just care for patients but also know how to market, manage and run a practice. Similarly, if a doctor or physician is employed at a hospital, having these skills and knowledge is what ensures continued employment and career advancement in today’s fast-paced and competitive world.
Competition, Competition, Competition
Take a moment to have a look at how many GPs are located in your area. We’ll put our money on more than one. With so many options available, why is it that you are more likely to visit one particular GP repeatedly instead of trying out the competition? Chances are, this is because that particular practice has provided you with exceptional well-rounded service, or perhaps your clinic of choice simply has exceptional marketing skills.
As much as physicians and practitioners don’t want to admit it, getting ahead of the competition is key. That’s just how the economy of business works. This is why you will notice an influx of advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram promoting various practices and offering special deals to entice their target customer base. Previously, digital marketing in the healthcare sector was few and far between – fast forward to current times and digital marketing is one of the leading marketing strategies for thousands of clinics, hospitals and practices nationwide.
The Mutual Benefits of Offering Convenience
More and more practices are now offering their patients telehealth services, mobile and video conferencing, and on-demand medical care. The shift towards a more technological approach to medicine sees patients not even having to leave their homes for consults or advice. Not only does this improve patient experience, but it also offers physicians a more effective and efficient way of running their business with lower costs incurred. Healthcare technology isn’t just about convenience though – it is about providing patients with consumer choice and control.
Pay For Value
Recent studies by the Mayo Clinic have shown that customers are now looking for a more pay for value experience when visiting medical practices and hospitals. What does this mean? Well, this simply means that patients are looking for high-quality care and services at reasonable prices. This has resulted in the healthcare industry having to completely rethink their antiquated payment processes and various revenue/profit-driving endeavours. In order to keep up with the times, the healthcare industry now focuses on providing services that provide desired health outcomes as opposed to the volume or type of medical services that a patient can have access to.
At the end of the day, healthcare is an industry built on a strong foundation of business just like every other industry in the world. We hope that this article has given you insight into exactly what goes into the business of healthcare and how the industry is constantly striving to improve whilst maintaining a level of morality and ethics that provide a mutually beneficial experience for all.