We go through many, many years of training and hard work to become physicians and to specialize in the field of our choice.
When I graduated from residency, I gave a lot of thought to the kind of practice I wanted to have or in which I wanted to participate. I decided to open my own practice so I would have full control and be my own boss, as my physician father had taught me should be true for all doctors. I wish I had known that being the doctor was the easy part and the business of the office was the true rate-limiting factor in growing a practice.
We spend all our time and energy learning the art and science of medicine, and have an unreasonable and unfounded disdain for the business side. It does not make you a less caring physician to want to be successful on the business side. Take a course in business management. Create a business model before you invest in office space, staff and equipment. Trust your own instincts and know that you can grow and thrive in your own practice. Also know that you don’t have to re-invent the wheel, as there are plenty of resources to help you in building the perfect practice for you.
