Now that you have set up your psychiatric practice, the next step is to ensure that your private practice remains sustainable. Unless you are okay with managing a small clinic in your neighbourhood, expanding to other locations and growing your list of services should be on the table.
Focusing on growth allows your practice to compete with established clinics in your area. It also enables you to bring your mental health services closer to the people that need them. A good growth strategy is guaranteed to help you reach those milestones. However, if you’re not sure how to build one that supports your psychiatric practice’s appetite for growth, then read the guide below:
Social media platforms are not just for friends and family members who need to check on each other. It’s also for medical practitioners looking to promote their services and get more people to queue up. Social media marketing is a powerful means to spread awareness about your practice. When everyone knows you exist, you are more likely to receive phone calls asking for an appointment.
All it takes is creating a page for your practice that includes all pertinent information, especially your exact location, clinic hours, and the services you offer. Once you have a working social media page, you need to frequently post content on topics that are relevant to what you do as a mental care expert. Not only that but you can also create posts introducing your team of experts and support staff. This will also help you attract applicants who would like to join your practice.
Build your network
In addition to social media, your practice can also benefit from linking up with other practitioners and even businesses in your community. You have numerous ways to do so. For one, you can offer corporate-level services to large organizations, government agencies, and institutions. Partnering with these entities will open up new opportunities to expand your practice.
You just need to invest in looking for and building relationships with potential partners. Industry events, for one, will help you connect leaders and influencers in the mental care sector. Stay up-to-date about upcoming conferences and seminars and reserve a slot for yourself and someone else in your clinic.
When it comes to networking with corporate leaders, send out cold emails or engage them through LinkedIn. Make sure to create a compelling introduction that lets your potential connections know about what you do as a psychiatric care professional.
Upskill your staff
You can’t grow your psychiatric practice if your staff lacks knowledge about the latest tools and approaches in mental healthcare. The field is constantly evolving as new disruptions emerge. You can’t afford to get left behind while other clinics are already investing time and money in the latest innovations. However, it pays to ensure that your staff already has the skills to handle them.
It would be worthwhile to invest in an upskilling program, especially if your practice is receiving more inquiries. You’re also more likely to receive questions from people who are wondering if you offer TMS Neuro Solutions or diagnostic procedures such as the Conners CPT 3.
Get your staff ready in using these approaches by hosting training programs and orientations. If you have enough resources on hand, you can also support the continuing education of the experts in your team.
Harness your relationships with previous clients
Getting appointments from new patients is not the only way to grow your practice. You can also get former patients to help promote your services. Especially if they enjoyed or are impressed by your services, they are likely to put in a good word about your clinic. They could leave positive reviews or agree to write or record a heartfelt testimonial. Their valuable feedback can convince potential clients and push them to set an appointment.
Your past clients can also support your practice by reaching out to people that they know. If you’re wondering about how to get therapy referrals, simply tell your clients that you’re open to accepting their friends and family members. The people within their social circles are more than likely to sign up for your services, so take advantage of the positive relationships you have with the clients you treat.
Use the latest technology
The mental health industry is prone to drastic changes as new research comes to light. Moreover, new tools and devices are introduced to make practice management less tedious for professionals like yourself and your back-office staff. For this reason, new technology is your best ally in simplifying your operations and improving medical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
To start with, make sure your clinic offers telepsychiatry services. These allow your practice to cater to patients with mobility issues, especially seniors and disabled people. Telepsychiatry also helps you deliver your services to people living in far-flung areas, allowing for a cheaper and more convenient way to access diagnostic and, to some extent, treatment procedures.
Practice management software is also crucial in helping you automate the processes you and your staff spend the most time on, such as transcribing patient notes and bookkeeping. Many of these platforms now come with AI capabilities which allows you to reduce the amount of time you spend on admin work without compromising quality.
Build a website
Today, having a website spells the difference between success and failure in the medical field. While social media helps with brand awareness, it won’t exactly tell people that you’re the clinic that they have been looking for. With this, you will need to build a website that features relevant information about your practice and allows you to demonstrate your expertise.
Your website should feature the services you offer and include comprehensive information about each so visitors will make an informed choice if they decide to schedule an appointment with you. You can also include a blog on topics that range from the different diagnostic procedures being used today to mental health issues and wellness advice. Having a website adds credibility to your practice, as it grows beyond the community you’re serving.
If you’re looking to grow your psychiatric practice, allow this guide to pave the way toward your vision of changing lives for the better, one patient at a time.
Adam Mulligan, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
