3 essentials of successful multidisciplinary practice

Theoretically, the more disciplines within a practice, the more profitable it should be. More often than not, however, multidisciplinary practices become chaotic and disorganized because practitioners have not learned how to co-exist with one another.

Here are three concepts that make for successful multidisciplinary practices.

1. Let your patients know what you offer.

This is the biggest
reason multidisciplinary practices fail. Each practitioner in the
practice should talk about the services their co-workers provide while
with their own patients. Those patients will often take that information
and likely tell others the very thing you shared with them.

2. Create incentives.

A
great way to motivate fellow health professionals to promote the clinic
and grow the practice is by adding incentives that give them more
earning potential.

3. Create a culture.

Why do some
people wait in line for days to buy tickets to see a popular band? Why
do sports fans wear the jersey of their favorite player to sporting
events? The only way your
multidisciplinary practice will consistently attract a growing number of
patients is if your patients feel they are part of the team. Always
thank patients for referrals — even if they haven't referred anyone yet.
Run community projects like winter coat drives and food drives for
local food banks where your patients play a central role in the donation
of goods.

Multidisciplinary practices are successful when
attention is paid to the details. People have to buy into the concept of
helping one another through cross-promotion of your co-workers. When
all is said and done, the message your patient leaves the practice with
is the message that they will share with others.

Dr. Anthony J.
Lombardi, DC, is the creator of the Exstore assessment system. He
integrates systems into his multidisciplinary practice that focuses on
the management of musculoskeletal dysfunction — and receives 600 new
patient referrals per year. He is a consultant and treatment provider to
professional athletes in the NFL, NHL and CFL. He can be contacted by e-mail at exstore@usa.ca or through www.exstore.ca