The healthcare industry is growing, especially during this pandemic. The healthcare industry is currently one of the biggest industries in the US, being valued at about $473 billion with a compound annual growth rate of 5% in 2019. This continues to grow in 2020, with many healthcare professionals participating in combating one of the greatest threats we have faced during the last few years.
It can be tough to start your own clinic in this pandemic, despite the rise in demand. There are many things to consider because you’re not just preparing for the pandemic but also for your future. Ultimately, you’ll have to think of a time when the pandemic is no longer around.
Currently, patient numbers are high because of the pandemic. But there will come a day when things are back to normal, and patient numbers are back to the averages. So, what should you do when you start your own clinic during this pandemic?
Be Conservative
Investing in a lot of equipment for the pandemic can be beneficial for your new clinic. However, investing too much can lead to a disaster in the future.
Many hospitals are giving private clinics the chance to treat patients with the virus. This is because hospitals are overflowing with patients, including those who are sick from other diseases aside from the virus. Some hospitals have also opted to utilize private clinics to deal with those that do not have the virus or those that show minor symptoms of the virus.
That said, the CDC has given a standard protocol for healthcare facilities to protect their professionals from the virus. But what does this mean for your new clinic? It means that you should invest in protective gear, equipment, and facilities to help you treat patients with the virus. But don’t just put all your eggs in one basket. You should invest in facilities and equipment that can generally help anyone.
For instance, oxygen tanks are still a good investment no matter the disease. Many of those suffering major symptoms of the virus also need oxygen tanks to breathe. Having an electronic medical record or MD dashboard is also a good investment because it helps you keep an eye on patients.
However, if you invest mainly in treatments that aim to take care of patients with viruses, you can lose many opportunities in the future. Just as stated earlier, you’ll have to think of a time when the virus is no longer. Being conservative means that you shouldn’t fully invest in equipment and facilities that treat the virus but invest more in equipment and facilities to treat all kinds of patients.
Invest in Artificial Intelligence
Investing in artificial intelligence or AI can be one of the best investments you can make for your clinic.
AI has a lot of potential when it comes to healthcare. It can monitor, diagnose, and treat patients. For instance, IBM Watson Health can diagnose patients with tumors as accurately as a medical professional. Aside from this, the same app has helped many medical professionals to reduce their workload by half. That’s a lot of work done by an AI.
Having AI in your clinic means that you can open yourself to other opportunities. It can help with lessening the time you spend doing administrative work. It can also help you accurately make diagnoses. It is helpful when it comes to growing your clinic and profession as a whole.
Invest in Employee Training
Training your employees, both medical and non-medical professionals should be one of your main priorities. Your employees will be in the frontlines, combating all kinds of diseases and the current pandemic, so giving them training is essential.
Many clinics let their employees undergo some sort of experiential learning experience to hone their skills and practice their craft. Some are even willing to let non-medical professionals undergo some courses to learn more about the medical field, so when emergencies arise, they know what to do. Increasing the cohesion of employees within your clinic is also good because everyone can learn how to work as a team.
Ultimately, you should aim to train your medical professionals. Your medical professionals will be doing most of the work in your clinic, so them being cohesive is essential. You can do these with training exercises.
Here are some things you should know and invest in when starting a clinic this year. Invest in the right opportunities for your clinic and always remember to always think ahead. It’s key to the survival of your clinic and its growth in the long run.
