The sky is falling — I know, I heard it on the news today. The healthcare market is in a state of flux.
Okay, we’re in a recession. But that doesn’t mean that you should believe ALL of the doom and gloom reported by the media.
What’s a medical group worth? Ah, one of the eternal questions. Okay, maybe not, but it can be an important one.
Here’s a vaccine for office based physicians thinking of entering into an office sharing deal or a practice merger deal, with one or more other physicians: Document the deal before it actually commences. And, if the deal changes, document the change.
A few weeks ago, I attended a funeral. I couldn’t help that my mind wandered to the fact that many physicians and physician group leaders run their practice’s business operation as if they were locked up in a box . . . sorry to be so morbid . . . coffin-like, in that they just keep on doing what they’ve always done in terms of treating patients, essentially ignoring many if not all real business issues, and will keep on doing the same until they run out of air.
You’ve asked for it: The three most important things I recommend you do for your medical group to thrive in a down economy. Here they are.
GM ran its business into the ground by becoming focused on everything other than building cars that their customers wanted. They didn’t even understand who their customers were (in the car business, manufacturers hold to the belief that the dealers are their customers). But when people stop buying cars, the dealers stop buying cars and the whole system slows or shuts down.
It’s 2:30 p.m. and you’re in the O.R. in the middle of a case. Your phone rings and it’s the [hospital administrator/your CPA/your biller] asking you to make a decision that will impact your practice and perhaps even your bottom line.
It’s widely expected that the decline in the stock market and the recession in general will force large numbers of physicians to work beyond their projected retirement dates.
I’m fascinated by the role that luck plays in success. For a good background on this topic, read Nessim Nicholas Taleb’s Black Swan, or even better, his Fooled by Randomness.
