Your success in the medical field is not solely contingent upon your clinical dexterity but often results from the mastery of various aspects of the industry. What separates a great doctor from a good doctor is their cognizance of both the clinical and business sides of medicine. The market, risks, and trends of medical businesses are a great resource for residents as they establish their place in medicine. Business management is a huge component of an outstanding medical institution but medical schools seldom teach you how to properly run a business despite its substantial impact on many aspects of your profession!
What do I need to know?
- Practice proper business maintenance techniques such as inter-organizational communication and financial management.
- How to track your income, expenses, and revenue.
- What regional physicians with similar credentials and specialties charging for services.
- The fundamentals of financial literacy and basic business jargon.
- How to use financial statements such as balance sheets.
- How to file and maximize your business taxes.
Basics of business literacy and business-mindedness
According to Kyle J. Anderson, Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Economics at Kelley School of Business, Indiana University and Chapter 6 Author of Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents, business-minded physician stands out from the crowd because they “have the tools necessary to transform (their) practice, hospital, or other clinical setting from average to exceptional.” To be business-minded is to analyze and convert information into strategies that promote the profit and efficiency of an enterprise. Business literacy is being knowledgeable on the topic of running a business- how to file taxes, how to manage finances, investments, understanding the lingo, and so on. Being business-minded is impressive in solidarity, as is business literacy, but when you put them together, you become a valuable asset to any team. Within the medical industry, physicians who possess both of the qualities are far more likely to maintain excellence.
How will knowledge of medical business benefit me?
- Comprehending the risks will eliminate financial or legal liabilities.
- By following trends, you will naturally generate more revenue.
- Maintaining organization in all aspects of your finances (invoices, taxes, reimbursements, etc.) prevents stress and disaster!
- An understanding of the regional market will prevent you from undervaluing your abilities without overcharging- KNOW YOUR VALUE!
The defining characteristics of an exceptional clinical practice begin with the quality of care provided. Your staff should shower each and every patient with hospitality, the doctors should be highly accredited, and the business should like a well-oiled machine. This is only possible if the clinical management works intentionally and business-mindedly. A business-minded physician would take note of how the transparency within employee communication, of the consistency in customer satisfaction, and other tendencies of their business. They would then compare their microcosmic evaluation to that of competitors and regional averages so they can track performance and adjust accordingly. Any good business constantly strives to improve, innovate, and excel- medical businesses are no exception. An understanding of the market can radically shift the trajectory of success for a business if the information is used strategically. Sequentially, doctors, particularly those operating private practices, MUST evaluate the trends, patterns, and risks of the market in which they reside.
There is a lot to tackle in the world of medical business but if you start now, your business literacy can drastically impact your prosperity as a doctor and subside the stress of running a business when the time comes. Regardless of what medical facility you work for-be it a public hospital, a private organization, or a private practice- a thorough grasp on the medical business will contribute to your pursuit of excellence.
Todd Skertich is managing partner, Arlington Healthcare and founder, Adventures in Medicine, and Physician Career Planning. He is the author of The Art of Physician Negotiation and can be reached on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddskertich/.
