Berning & Affiliates

Is Your Partner Giving You Heartburn?

It happens. There is no question that periodically, and sometimes chronically, a partner rubs you wrong. Sometimes it is because issues that should have been discussed at the start of the relationship never were and now keep coming up. Other times it is for the most diverse set of temporary or passing reasons. For whatever reason if you, in the words of one of my clients, feel like "leaving the party", but the practice and your interests and income are satisfactory - resist! It is far easier to work to resolve matters or issues than leave and work to start over or to push someone else out. Using trained facilitators or mediators is a proven way to get issues out and work to resolution. Don't keep dealing with heartburn when you can reduce your stress and move beyond the problem(s) with a focused mediation.

"To A Degree"

In a recent discussion with a specialist who had just opened a new practice location, I asked if he had studied pertinent demographic information prior to choosing the location. His answer was, "To a degree". I found this a surprising answer given the nearly $500,000 spent to open the practice in leased space. He said that he had been in the area for 5 years prior to opening the practice and so he knew about the location. Of course now a great deal was dependent on attracting patients and making the practice viable. We talked about his marketing challenges and lack of patients and, given his limited study of demographics, his answers were lacking in detailed prospective resident and business information. In my view, it is critical to secure detailed area specific demographics when considering any practice related initiative. Just a cursory look or thinking that as a doctor CEO in a local area for a number of years means that you know everything about the area can be costly and just plain wrong. Whether for a new practice or established practices, ordering a demographics study for your practice patient drawing area is a prudent step prior to any transition, marketing or expansion initiative. See how at:  http://www.berningaffiliates.com/demographics.htm