Re: Ramping up new practice

[Guest guest]

,

I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was wondering

what you did to get word about about you and your practice that allowed

you to reach your goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any ideas would

be appreciated as well.

We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local specialists as

well as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's daycare this

week and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood pressure

screenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar Wars, a

smoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local schools

and have a note sent home with the kids.

Thanks.

Margaret Coughlan M.D.

> I agree that sounds pretty successful. How long did it take to reach

> 13-15 pts/day? How big is Newport News? Thanks.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> IMP success in competitive saturated

> markets?

>

>

>

> I would like to know if anyone on the list has launched an

> independently owned IMP style practice in a known doctor-saturated and

> high competition area, and managed to fill with patients and be busy

> enough? In other words, is this IMP style attractive enough to be

> successful even in competitive markets? I'm thinking of highly sought

> after well-known locales such as, say, Aspen Colorado, Big Sky

> Montana, or Southern California? It sounds like most of us are in areas

> where there may be a relative need & not in doctor-saturated areas. So,

> has anyone made IMP work (financially successful) in a tight

> competitive market?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was wondering

what you did to get word about about you and your practice that allowed

you to reach your goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any ideas would

be appreciated as well.

We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local specialists as

well as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's daycare this

week and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood pressure

screenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar Wars, a

smoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local schools

and have a note sent home with the kids.

Thanks.

Margaret Coughlan M.D.

> I agree that sounds pretty successful. How long did it take to reach

> 13-15 pts/day? How big is Newport News? Thanks.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> IMP success in competitive saturated

> markets?

>

>

>

> I would like to know if anyone on the list has launched an

> independently owned IMP style practice in a known doctor-saturated and

> high competition area, and managed to fill with patients and be busy

> enough? In other words, is this IMP style attractive enough to be

> successful even in competitive markets? I'm thinking of highly sought

> after well-known locales such as, say, Aspen Colorado, Big Sky

> Montana, or Southern California? It sounds like most of us are in areas

> where there may be a relative need & not in doctor-saturated areas. So,

> has anyone made IMP work (financially successful) in a tight

> competitive market?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was wondering

what you did to get word about about you and your practice that allowed

you to reach your goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any ideas would

be appreciated as well.

We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local specialists as

well as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's daycare this

week and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood pressure

screenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar Wars, a

smoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local schools

and have a note sent home with the kids.

Thanks.

Margaret Coughlan M.D.

> I agree that sounds pretty successful. How long did it take to reach

> 13-15 pts/day? How big is Newport News? Thanks.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> IMP success in competitive saturated

> markets?

>

>

>

> I would like to know if anyone on the list has launched an

> independently owned IMP style practice in a known doctor-saturated and

> high competition area, and managed to fill with patients and be busy

> enough? In other words, is this IMP style attractive enough to be

> successful even in competitive markets? I'm thinking of highly sought

> after well-known locales such as, say, Aspen Colorado, Big Sky

> Montana, or Southern California? It sounds like most of us are in areas

> where there may be a relative need & not in doctor-saturated areas. So,

> has anyone made IMP work (financially successful) in a tight

> competitive market?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Margaret,

Not to push my website too much J, but I went through a rather extensive discourse on marketing at

the end of the business plan (also on the practice development section of the website

www.thevillagedr.com). I actually

expected my practice to grow much faster than it did. Looking back on it, I

think you are doing the right things with the newspaper article and the

community activities. I would also make friends with the local specialists and

especially the ER. After all, they see a lot of unattached patients. Good

luck!!

IMP success in competitive saturated

> markets?

>

>

>

> I would like to know if anyone on the list has launched an

> independently owned IMP style practice in a known doctor-saturated and

> high competition area, and managed to fill with patients and be busy

> enough? In other words, is this IMP style attractive enough to be

> successful even in competitive markets? I'm thinking of highly sought

> after well-known locales such as, say, Aspen Colorado, Big Sky

> Montana, or Southern California? It sounds like most of us are in areas

> where there may be a relative need & not in doctor-saturated areas.

So,

> has anyone made IMP work (financially successful) in a tight

> competitive market?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I

agree except be careful regarding the ER. In my town those referrals are

usually train wrecks/drug seekers/self-pays that do not want to pay >$35 for

an “office call.”

IMP success in competitive saturated

> markets?

>

>

>

> I would like to know if anyone on the list has launched an

> independently owned IMP style practice in a known doctor-saturated and

> high competition area, and managed to fill with patients and be busy

> enough? In other words, is this IMP style attractive enough to be

> successful even in competitive markets? I'm thinking of highly sought

> after well-known locales such as, say, Aspen Colorado, Big Sky

> Montana, or Southern California? It sounds like most of us are in areas

> where there may be a relative need & not in doctor-saturated areas.

So,

> has anyone made IMP work (financially successful) in a tight

> competitive market?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree word of mouth is what will bring them in eventually, but initially you have to get the word out somehow. Brochures you distribute yourself would be nice. Either way, I recommend newspaper ads that run each of the first few weeks. For me that brought about 50-60 people, and word of mouth took it from there. drmarge@... wrote: ,I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was wonderingwhat you did to get word about about you and your practice that allowedyou to reach your

goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any ideas wouldbe appreciated as well.We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local specialists aswell as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's daycare thisweek and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood pressurescreenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar Wars, asmoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local schoolsand have a note sent home with the kids.Thanks.Margaret Coughlan M.D.> I agree that sounds pretty successful. How long did it take to reach> 13-15 pts/day? How big is Newport News? Thanks.>>>> >>>> IMP success in competitive saturated> markets?>>>> I would like to know if anyone on the list has launched an> independently owned IMP style practice in a known doctor-saturated and> high competition area, and managed to fill with patients and be busy> enough? In other words, is this IMP style attractive enough to be> successful even in competitive markets? I'm thinking of highly sought> after well-known locales such as, say, Aspen Colorado, Big Sky> Montana, or Southern California? It sounds like most of us are in areas> where there may be a relative need

& not in doctor-saturated areas. So,> has anyone made IMP work (financially successful) in a tight> competitive market?>> >>

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[Guest guest]

Margaret, I was going to add my 2 cents

worth. You have good ideas already, but I would suggest you don’t need

to lay out a lot of money for marketing. Make sure your patients have a great

experience, and word of mouth will serve you well, especially being a female.

Other venues for you to consider: talking at local church groups, introduce

yourself to the dentists/chiropractors in town (or their receptionists), and

ditto for the doctor offices that are not accepting new patients.

A. Eads, M.D.

Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

phone fax

P.O.

Box 7275

Woodland

Park, CO 80863

From:

[mailto: ]

On Behalf Of drmarge@...

Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007

10:45 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

Ramping up new practice

,

I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was wondering

what you did to get word about about you and your practice that allowed

you to reach your goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any ideas would

be appreciated as well.

We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local specialists as

well as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's daycare this

week and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood pressure

screenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar Wars, a

smoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local schools

and have a note sent home with the kids.

Thanks.

Margaret Coughlan M.D.

..

[Guest guest]

 Marketing Ideas:The most important source of new patients are your existing patients. Make sure that every patient leaves thinking that this was the best doctor experience ever. Tell every new patient a little bit about your practice and the services that you offer. Even if the patient is in for a cold I let them know the preventive health guidelines for their age. I tell all woman that I do paps. Lots of people don't know what an Fp can do. Since I like peds I find a way to mention the pediatric services that I offer to every patient. I have found that even geriatric patients have grandkids that might increase my peds practiceI found talking to the local pharmacists helpful. Talking to the kids at school doesn't help as much unless the parents are at the talks. Telling the schools that you can get kids in for last minute school physicals though will get you a lot of new patients. A lot of these will have regular doctors that can't get  them in but a good percentage will switch to you after the parents get frustrated with their regular doctors a few times. Specialists are a good source of referrals especially if you first introduce yourself and then refer them a few patients with detailed consult request letters that include a full patient summary. I have had several specialists comment how helpful they found the patient summaries. It appeared to both the specialists and the patients as a sign of quality. I have had several pharmacists say the same thing to me about the computer generated prescriptions. After I went to meet them and explained my practice they routinely give my name to patients who complain about their doctor. I also give the staff at the local coffee shop a significant discount to all their employees and I give a coupon for a free cup of coffee at the coffee shop to all my patients who make their appointments on line. In exchange the owner of the coffee shop keeps my brochure on display in his shop and refers me a lot of patients. I think that any neighborhood establishment that has a lot of clients is worth talking to. Consider beauty shops, heath clubs. Since I give a discount for cash patients, restaurants and bars whose staff are often uninsured are suggestions. I try to shop at all the local shops and introduce myself. I think that this kind of word of mouth networking to be much more helpful than any kind of direct marketing.Larry Lindeman MDMargaret,Not to push my website too much J, but I went through a rather extensive discourse on marketing at the end of the business plan (also on the practice development section of the website www.thevillagedr.com). I actually expected my practice to grow much faster than it did. Looking back on it, I think you are doing the right things with the newspaper article and the community activities. I would also make friends with the local specialists and especially the ER. After all, they see a lot of unattached patients. Good luck!!  IMP success in competitive saturated> markets?>>>> I would like to know if anyone on the list has launched an> independently owned IMP style practice in a known doctor-saturated and> high competition area, and managed to fill with patients and be busy> enough? In other words, is this IMP style attractive enough to be> successful even in competitive markets? I'm thinking of highly sought> after well-known locales such as, say, Aspen Colorado, Big Sky> Montana, or Southern California? It sounds like most of us are in areas> where there may be a relative need & not in doctor-saturated areas. So,> has anyone made IMP work (financially successful) in a tight> competitive market?>> >>

[Guest guest]

I too have to throw in another 2 cents

supporting your statement. I am consulting for a doctor in my area who

has spent $100,000 on advertising in phone directories, local magazines,

medical letters, give a way items, lunches – you name it he has done it.

He even staffed the fair booth for 9 days (One pt. for nine days). But

what is successful is the word of mouth and referrals from other docs and walk

ins. From the local magazines, he has only received enough patients to

allocate all their revenue to paying the ads. The phone directories are harder,

but still the extra adds don’t seem to be sending him all the business.

I cannot get him to quit cold turkey, but we have cut his advertising by 2/3

without seeing a decrease in business.

Get a nice brochure, a nice card, and a

nice smile and hand them out like candy. Hey- maybe a little candy or

fruit is a good idea too when you visit specialists offices or other businesses

and organizations.. (The drug reps aren’t stupid.) Grand

total for an all out marketing campaign – less than a thousand bucks for

enough cards, brochures and treats to visit all the offices and business and

groups you can handle. Make sure you are listed in the insurance company

web sites and books as soon as possible as well.

Elise also worked in an urgent care clinic

before and just after we opened, whom have sent us a lot of referrals since.

Ernie Leland

Orchards Family Medicine, Inc. PS

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Eads

Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007

5:38 PM

To:

Subject: RE:

Ramping up new practice

Margaret, I was going to add my 2 cents worth. You have good

ideas already, but I would suggest you don’t need to lay out a lot of

money for marketing. Make sure your patients have a great experience, and

word of mouth will serve you well, especially being a female. Other

venues for you to consider: talking at local church groups, introduce yourself

to the dentists/chiropractors in town (or their receptionists), and

ditto for the doctor offices that are not accepting new patients.

A. Eads, M.D.

Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

phone fax

P.O. Box 7275

Woodland Park, CO

80863

From:

[mailto: ]

On Behalf Of drmargepol (DOT) net

Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007

10:45 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

Ramping up new practice

,

I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was wondering

what you did to get word about about you and your practice that allowed

you to reach your goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any ideas would

be appreciated as well.

We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local specialists as

well as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's daycare this

week and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood pressure

screenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar Wars, a

smoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local schools

and have a note sent home with the kids.

Thanks.

Margaret Coughlan M.D.

..

[Guest guest]

Thank you all so much for your input! I will definitely keep you posted as

things progress. By the way, Lynn Ho was one of my attendings back at

Brown's residency and I am so happy she is doing well with this venture!

Margaret

> I too have to throw in another 2 cents supporting your statement. I am

> consulting for a doctor in my area who has spent $100,000 on advertising

> in phone directories, local magazines, medical letters, give a way

> items, lunches - you name it he has done it. He even staffed the fair

> booth for 9 days (One pt. for nine days). But what is successful is the

> word of mouth and referrals from other docs and walk ins. From the

> local magazines, he has only received enough patients to allocate all

> their revenue to paying the ads. The phone directories are harder, but

> still the extra adds don't seem to be sending him all the business. I

> cannot get him to quit cold turkey, but we have cut his advertising by

> 2/3 without seeing a decrease in business.

>

>

>

> Get a nice brochure, a nice card, and a nice smile and hand them out

> like candy. Hey- maybe a little candy or fruit is a good idea too when

> you visit specialists offices or other businesses and organizations..

> (The drug reps aren't stupid.) Grand total for an all out marketing

> campaign - less than a thousand bucks for enough cards, brochures and

> treats to visit all the offices and business and groups you can handle.

> Make sure you are listed in the insurance company web sites and books as

> soon as possible as well.

>

>

>

> Elise also worked in an urgent care clinic before and just after we

> opened, whom have sent us a lot of referrals since.

>

>

>

> Ernie Leland

>

> Orchards Family Medicine, Inc. PS

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> From:

> [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Eads

> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 5:38 PM

> To:

> Subject: RE: Ramping up new practice

>

>

>

> Margaret, I was going to add my 2 cents worth. You have good ideas

> already, but I would suggest you don't need to lay out a lot of money

> for marketing. Make sure your patients have a great experience, and

> word of mouth will serve you well, especially being a female. Other

> venues for you to consider: talking at local church groups, introduce

> yourself to the dentists/chiropractors in town (or their receptionists),

> and ditto for the doctor offices that are not accepting new patients.

>

>

>

> A. Eads, M.D.

>

> Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

>

> phone fax

>

> P.O. Box 7275

>

> Woodland Park, CO 80863

>

> ________________________________

>

> From:

> [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

> drmarge@...

> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 10:45 AM

> To:

> Subject: RE: Ramping up new practice

>

>

>

> ,

> I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was

> wondering

> what you did to get word about about you and your practice that allowed

> you to reach your goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any ideas would

> be appreciated as well.

> We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local specialists

> as

> well as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's daycare

> this

> week and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood pressure

> screenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar Wars, a

> smoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local schools

> and have a note sent home with the kids.

>

> Thanks.

> Margaret Coughlan M.D.

>

>

>

>

> ..

>

>

> <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=9360914/grpspId=1705061327/m

> sgId=11329/stime=1169488183/nc1=3848489/nc2=3848614/nc3=3848568>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Margaret,

I started up full time 6 months ago. The most effective advertising

was the ad in the local free weekly newspaper. Also extremely

effective was a direct mail card, but too expensive to do again.

My dad met all the local businesses and they were mostly happy to

let my cards sit on their counters, and I get patients who pick them

up--especially from the Diner down the street. I did flu clinics as

advised by my billing company--not useful. Word of mouth is the

biggest right now. Also helps to have a couple of " factory

practices " right next to you--I get a lot of frustrated folks who

think my office is heaven. The phone book has not been very helpful.

If you have money spend it on an ad in the local free weekly and

maybe one of the higher end local subscription magazines. I put an

ad in one of those and they did a profile on local new businesses

and I did a write up outlining the IMP philosophy to deliver

efficient, high quality care, and it was noticed. I did not get too

many patients from it, but it got the word out about this practice

style, so it was worth it.

I had read about one of the members on this listserv that advertised

a discounted " Physical and Labs for the Uninsured " . But my billing

company warned me that it was illegal to bill different amounts for

insurance companies and others for the same code. I read an article

that said that the insurance companies could reduce what they pay me

if they find out I did that. I think that is so unfair--I should be

able to set whatever fee I want, like all other services/businesses.

Anyway, lots of good luck to you. I have learnt EVERYTHING from this

group, so happy reading!

--Padma

>

> Thank you all so much for your input! I will definitely keep you

posted as

> things progress. By the way, Lynn Ho was one of my attendings back

at

> Brown's residency and I am so happy she is doing well with this

venture!

> Margaret

>

> > I too have to throw in another 2 cents supporting your

statement. I am

> > consulting for a doctor in my area who has spent $100,000 on

advertising

> > in phone directories, local magazines, medical letters, give a

way

> > items, lunches - you name it he has done it. He even staffed

the fair

> > booth for 9 days (One pt. for nine days). But what is

successful is the

> > word of mouth and referrals from other docs and walk ins. From

the

> > local magazines, he has only received enough patients to

allocate all

> > their revenue to paying the ads. The phone directories are

harder, but

> > still the extra adds don't seem to be sending him all the

business. I

> > cannot get him to quit cold turkey, but we have cut his

advertising by

> > 2/3 without seeing a decrease in business.

> >

> >

> >

> > Get a nice brochure, a nice card, and a nice smile and hand them

out

> > like candy. Hey- maybe a little candy or fruit is a good idea

too when

> > you visit specialists offices or other businesses and

organizations..

> > (The drug reps aren't stupid.) Grand total for an all out

marketing

> > campaign - less than a thousand bucks for enough cards,

brochures and

> > treats to visit all the offices and business and groups you can

handle.

> > Make sure you are listed in the insurance company web sites and

books as

> > soon as possible as well.

> >

> >

> >

> > Elise also worked in an urgent care clinic before and just after

we

> > opened, whom have sent us a lot of referrals since.

> >

> >

> >

> > Ernie Leland

> >

> > Orchards Family Medicine, Inc. PS

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> >

> > From:

> > [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Eads

> > Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 5:38 PM

> > To:

> > Subject: RE: Ramping up new practice

> >

> >

> >

> > Margaret, I was going to add my 2 cents worth. You have good

ideas

> > already, but I would suggest you don't need to lay out a lot of

money

> > for marketing. Make sure your patients have a great experience,

and

> > word of mouth will serve you well, especially being a female.

Other

> > venues for you to consider: talking at local church groups,

introduce

> > yourself to the dentists/chiropractors in town (or their

receptionists),

> > and ditto for the doctor offices that are not accepting new

patients.

> >

> >

> >

> > A. Eads, M.D.

> >

> > Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

> >

> > phone fax

> >

> > P.O. Box 7275

> >

> > Woodland Park, CO 80863

> >

> > ________________________________

> >

> > From:

> > [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

> > drmarge@...

> > Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 10:45 AM

> > To:

> > Subject: RE: Ramping up new practice

> >

> >

> >

> > ,

> > I am going to be joining a solo family doctor next month. I was

> > wondering

> > what you did to get word about about you and your practice that

allowed

> > you to reach your goals rather quickly? Anyone else with any

ideas would

> > be appreciated as well.

> > We are going to send a note to the local paper and to local

specialists

> > as

> > well as his current patients. I am giving a talk at my son's

daycare

> > this

> > week and will pass out cards there. I thought about doing blood

pressure

> > screenings at the gym that I go to. I am also going to do Tar

Wars, a

> > smoking prevention program for 4th and 5th graders, at the local

schools

> > and have a note sent home with the kids.

> >

> > Thanks.

> > Margaret Coughlan M.D.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ..

> >

> >

> > <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?

s=97359714/grpId=9360914/grpspId=1705061327/m

> > sgId=11329/stime=1169488183/nc1=3848489/nc2=3848614/nc3=3848568>

> >

> >

> >

> >

>