How to Open a Small Clinic
Opening a medical clinic can be a headache for many doctors. Most doctors find themselves at a loss for what to do to make their dream of being independent come true. Medical school, after all, does not offer business lessons. Starting a medical clinic is both a business and a service. Most doctors would prefer to start small and open a manageably sized clinic, which requires only about one other staff member. If this is what you hope to do, here are some tips to follow:
Choose Location Wisely
It’s easy to find a small space for a small clinic. However, you have to be careful about exactly where you find this small space. Make sure your clinic is located in an easily accessible area. The neighbourhood should be pleasant too. There has to be parking facilities available, if necessary. The front of your clinic should be easy to spot from the outside. Don’t rent space that’s crammed between buildings and businesses. Find a conspicuous location.
Salvage Equipment and Buy Quality Items New
Equipping a clinic can be a challenge. If you are not careful, you could easily run up your budget as well. You can get certain medical equipment like chairs for free from doctors who retire. Hospitals also give away free medical items they have in excess. Some items, like needles, you will have to buy new. It’s more cost effective to spend money buying high-quality items, like Heine diagnostic sets, that last than cheap ones that need replacing soon.
Furnish with Items from Home
Your clinic will need waiting area chairs, desks, and such items. It’s best to borrow these furniture items from your home, if you have extra. Try to salvage used or second-hand items instead of buying brand new furniture. Some stores sell specially tagged “medical” furniture. This is basically regular furniture with an inflated price tag. Spend your budget on things you need rather than overspending on vanity items.
Use Personal Laptop
You can use your personal laptop at the clinic. Buying a new laptop or a desktop especially for the business can cost a lot. Using your personal laptop for work is also convenient. You can keep the data in one place and review it at home. You won’t have to drive to the clinic just to retrieve certain data. Keeping medical records with you is also more secure.
Think Carefully about Hiring Employees
Do you really need employees at your clinic? If you are a psychiatrist, you really don’t need anyone extra to help you. If you are a dentist or a surgeon, on the other hand, you might want to hire an assistant. For small clinics, hire help only if needed. You don’t need to increase your running costs by unnecessarily hiring employees.
Buy Software instead of Hiring a Receptionist
Do small clinics need receptionists? Not really. You can easily automate appointment taking tasks with the right software. Your patients will be able to set up, adjust, and cancel appointments digitally via the web, smartphones, or other gadgets. It’s the most convenient and cost-effective option for all parties involved.
Opening a small health clinic can save you a lot of money. Instead of borrowing money to open a large clinic that will definitely be too much to manage, start small. Once you make a name for yourself as a doctor, you can consider expanding.
