Private Practice Etiquette

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Greetings one and all!

I am a newly qualified podiatrist and I'm hoping to set up in private practice. Initially I am looking to build a domicilliary client base as well as in residential and care homes, with a view to expand into a clinic. I have been trying to rent a room in local GP surgeries but have had no luck so far, but there are a few more I could try.

Not being all too familiar with private practice I had a few queries which I hoped someone here could help with.

1) Is it common practice to inform the GP of a new client/patient that you are seeing them for podiatric consults (with the consent of the Pt of course)? Is this something you do and would you recommend it?

I was hoping this would not only keep the patient's GP informed but also raise my profile, and as a result promote podiatry services for potential referrals in the future.

2) If you seek referrals from GPs how do you do so? From what I've heard it can be difficult, is this something you have experienced (I guess it depends on individual GPs).

I'm sure I had more questions to ask, but they seem to have gone, so I will probably ask them at a later date.

Thanks in advance, and any additional tips/advice would be much appreciated.

 

Have you dropped a CV personally into local private practices to get work? - if you get experience in someone else's practice alongside your own work then you can see how to do it (and not to in some instances)
Generally its probably best to speak to the practice manager, but will certainly depends upon the GP....look up QOF points for GP surgeries and tailor your pitch that way maybe...
It's not common practice to inform the GP your seeing their patients, you'll most likely piss them off for clogging up their in-trays - you only need to contact them when needed.

Essentially you'll also need a good retentive memory for patients faces and their stories, if they don't feel you 10 do a good job and 2) empathise with them they ain't coming back...

All the best.

 

Hello toby1981,
The answer to your question

is "no".
You should only write to a GP when :-
a) you are referring a patient to him for further investigation/monitoring/etc
b) you have treated a patient he/she has referred to you and you wish to advise him/her of the outcome.

Keep letters polite, short, factual and to-the-point. GPs are busy people and don't want to get involved in "paper chases". Use professional-looking headed paper without a load of lurid logos etc. you want to be seen as what you are which is an AHP. Don't expect a reply.

You should also acknowledge referrals from any other healthcare professionals and alternative therapists in the same way.

Obtaining referrals from GPs depends on the practice concerned. With the penchant for GPs renting rooms to FHPs and other unregulated practitioners, I wouldn't hold your breath. You could write a polite letter to the Practice Manager introducing yourself and saying that you would be happy to take referrals from the GPs, but again, don't expect a reply.

The main aim is to be visible. Make sure your business cards are in every chemist and shoe retailer in the area along with plenty of HPC information leaflets.
Never travel anywhere without your promotional material and take every opportunity to distribute it professionally.

Make sure you are in Yellow pages and on yell.com. in the Chiropodists section. If you are an SCP member take out an ad in the yellow Pages SCP corporate box for your area - you'll find it cheaper than having your own advert.

I hope that helps and Good Luck !

regards

Catfoot

 

Suhail

I would advise, don't go the dom startup route unless that is where you want to stay. Once you have a book full of DoM's they are very loyal but they already have the service they want, which means you come to them, not they to you and they won't be inclined to change that arrangement. So then you either have to pass on that work or carry on doing it and have no time to focus on building your clinic practise.

Find a small clinic within some other business, preferably something that has some connection with what you do, e.g. Chemist shop, dentist surgery, health centre, sports centre, etc etc. When I first started I managed to get a percentage deal on the rent i.e. I paid a percentage of my turnover, which is good to start off with but not so good once your turnover is high and so that will be the time to move to a bigger premises with a fixed rent.

I would also try and stick with one clinic at first, some go for practises in different areas on the basis that they will gather clients from a larger catchment area. This is ok but you will tend to need more equipment to jit out each location or take everything with you and in any case it will invilve two rents and ancilliary overheads. One practise is much easier to manage at first.

Just my opinion mind you and I dare say others will disagree.

Regards Dave Smith

 

Thank you all for your responses, they are much appreciated.

David, I had thought the same about doing DOMs, it only seems more attractive due to the lower start up cost. I guess in that case I should get onto the PPs in the area.

 

Hi Suhail,

I agree with Catfoot; I will only write to GP's when I need to refer a patient for further investigations or to other healthcare professionals. I will also write with details of the consultation/outcomes if required, when a patient has been referred. In addition to this I also send a copy of Diabetic Assessments I perform with a covering letter on headed paper for their records, with patient consent of course. I have never received any replies back but get updates from the patients themselves. I also speak directly to GPs/Practice Nurses/District Nurses when urgent requests/referrals are required. And all of this helps to build up a professional rapour with the local GP surgeries/clinics in my area.

Good Luck
Regards
Sarah

 

I disagree re. doms....mainly because as a start up you cant afford to turn away business, also the best advertisement is word of mouth, and how do you get that?! You can build up your client list and income to then re-invest that way...
Also with the goodwill you will (hopefully) build with your patients, and your explanation that you'll do a better job in clinic as opposed to their house, they'll move with you whenever you move... ultimately its about communication and relationship building (as well as good treatment)....

 

Hello suhail
I started up doing doms because I couldn't find a premesis
Then several nursing homes. Very soon I realised doms were not the thing for me so I was lucky enough to rent a room in an osteopaths one day a week and slowly build up a clinic of patients whilst still receiving an income from doms. I now do no doms and just clinic work. But I have in fifteen years have had to move premesis five times due to the buildings changing landlord etc ( health centre, chemist, chiropractor) so make sure wherever you rent looks pretty secure long term. I would also try and get a high street location with easy access for the elderly etc It is best to have a room with others around and a receptionist etc . In my first room I was on my own often the only one in the building I have had patients faint, have fits etc . I also am accredited and get nhs referrals from the waiting list for assessment . Be very professional talk to the patient two thirds of the time should be advice/education about their problem
All the best
H