While it may conjure up moving images of 1960s adolescents around the time newscasts were gradually transitioning to color, the term ‘countercultural’ means something a little different these days in the medical field.
Physicians are leaving hospital employment to embark on new ventures, often subverting a long-established practice culture in the healthcare field. By going the countercultural route, these doctors open to a number of models that can perhaps help avoid the oft-predicted death of the private medical practice.
Let’s explore how you can make your practice more countercultural, and maybe you too can help prevent the decline of private practice.
Move to Cloud
Moving to the cloud is a no brainer for countercultural practices that want to disrupt the way medicine is practiced. To be the changer, you must first be the one willing to change.
Now, a few scenarios could be true regarding the way you currently run your practice. For starters, you could still be working off a paper-based model, in which case you’re probably shopping for EHRs now. We have a guide that can help.
But suppose you’re running a client-server EHR that’s likely not doing it for you. It’s clunky, it’s slow, it’s pricey, it’s outdated, it’s ugly – we’re just getting started with negative adjectives. Check out this client-server versus cloud comparison for more information.
The benefits of a cloud-based EHR are noteworthy: predictable monthly licensing costs, no upfront costs for client-server installation, better client support and built-in service security, remote assistance, no expensive in-house hardware, software, or servers. The cloud is sometimes even an easier route to Meaningful Use attestation.
No brainer.
Retainer-Based Model
Sometimes called ‘boutique’ or ‘concierge’ practicing, retainer models are appealing to both providers and patients – the layer pays an up-front, often annual fee to secure the services of a physician.
Proof: the American Academy of Private Physicians reported in late 2011 that the number of retainer-based doctors in the US had doubled over the preceding two-year span.
Being a countercultural practice entails doing more with fewer resources – less staff, fewer physicians – so it’s important to maximize what you have. With a retainer-based model, you can allow more time for patients and still bring in the revenue you need, cut overhead by doing away with a collections staff and personalize care.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine leverages secure communication with patients via phone or video conferencing technologies, and even remote physiologic monitoring.
A number of countercultural practices may work well with a telehealth model because of the invention’s cost benefits, saved time, and efficient care for low-wage workers that can’t always afford to leave their homes.
Such technologies can bring physicians closer to their patients than previously imagined. You have access to a patient’s bedroom, living room or kitchen to assist with chronic health management, prescription compliance, and even sleep disorders.
A countercultural practice has to be willing to get in bed with a patient, so to speak.
Do you think you can adopt new, countercultural customs to help your private practice’s chances of success?
For more help with your practice, check out Power Your Practice’s Guide to Practice Management today!
