‘Tis the season to focus on developing your practice! It takes about twelve months for a new medical practice to become profitable, and about 2.5 years to reach capacity. To keep your practice expanding in a sustainable, manageable way, try these tips.

Service Offerings: The More, the Merrier

Pie or shortbread? Why not both? Treat your patients like you would a dinner guest by expanding your menu of services. Explore services that differentiate you from other practices. Extra service offerings are great for your bottom line while providing more care for patients as well as advancement opportunities for your team.

Let Your Technology Shine

Is your technology like a set of old string lights: ready to burn out at any moment? Don’t risk a National Lampoon situation. Now’s the time to upgrade to Electronic Health Records, invest in digital scheduling and practice management software, and embrace telehealth solutions. These can be the angel on the top of your practice tree, making life easier for your team and your patients – and giving new patients reasons to see you.

Deck the Halls with Great Design

If you want your practice to grow, you need to make sure it has room. Ensure that your space is thoughtfully laid out in a way that ensures privacy, promotes efficiency, and that fosters a feeling of compassion and expertise. Engage a designer or architect to assist with t the use of space, patient flow, and green building techniques. Good design will make both staff and patients feel at home and help you get the most out of your space.

Have Your Patients Sing Your Praises

All right, so maybe caroling isn’t acceptable in a medical office. However, delivering an exceptional patient experience is a great way to nurture the kind of word of mouth that helps a practice grow. Focus on providing prompt, human care in a comfortable environment and striving for a seamless experience every step of the way. Happy patients will keep coming back, and they’ll recommend your practice, too (especially if you ask them to leave a review!)

Add Marketing to Your Holiday Card List 

There’s nothing like receiving a holiday card from a friend or distant family member. It’s a great way to know that you’re on their mind – and to catch up on what they’ve been up to. Think of marketing as a seasonal card list for your business. Use social media, your website, your newsletter, and a strategic ad campaign to let current and prospective patients know what you’re all about – and add some sparkle to their perceptions of you.

Reward Your Helpers

Even Santa can’t do it alone – and you’re no different. Your admin and medical support staff are critical to the success of the day-to-day running of your practice. Happy, supported staff are more likely to stick around and do good work.Stay on your team’s nice list by offering bonuses, hosting a holiday party, sharing “thank you” gifts, and working with each person to figure out their career goals and how you can help get them there. If you’re looking to hire, offer a signing bonus to staff members who refer great talent.

Give the Gift of Growth – Talk to GZ! 

Don’t wait for practice growth to come down the chimney – invite it! The medical real estate experts at GZ Realty are here to help you prime your practice for growth. With extensive experience in lease negotiation and property sourcing, we can help you jingle your way to success this holiday season!

Building a culture of care goes beyond how you treat your patients – it also encompasses how you support your healthcare team. Showing your support for your team has benefits that resonate throughout your entire practice, including a 14% increase in productivity, improved team dynamics, reduced burnout, and significantly reduced attrition.

Running an efficient practice is vital to your bottom line and a significant factor in staff and patient comfort. Here are some simple ways to upgrade your medical office technology to remain competitive while improving the patient experience.