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How Does A Young Doctor Attract More Patients?
Q. I'm a female internist, age 30, employed by one of the largest medical centers in Massachusetts. I have a 20-month-old daughter and am expecting another baby soon. As a result, I work only three days a week and see from seven to 11 patients a day. My boss would like me to see from 13 to 15 patients a day. He encouraged me "to think of ways to market myself" and "increase my visibility in the community." Any suggestions?
A. Every doctor should know how to attract patients. A female physician should capitalize on her gender, which is one of her strengths. Recent surveys show that women make most health-care decisions for their families, and many prefer a woman doctor. That's your edge. Exploit it.
Join women's organizations-lots of them-and network. Give talks at churches and schools. Such institutions are usually glad to have a physician talk about immunizations, health exams, and such. For that matter, so are local radio stations. Phone a couple, ask for a show's booking producer, introduce yourself, and explain your idea. The more newsy it is, the more likely you are to receive an invitation to go on the air. For example, all the gift-shopping, cooking, and entertaining around Christmas sends many women's blood pressure through the roof. This would be an ideal time to propose a segment on stress-reduction techniques.
Don't overlook the specialists to whom you refer patients. It's amazing how many of their patients lack a primary-care physician. The same is true of psychotherapists, who can be a gold mine for referrals-if you keep them in the loop when a patient has a medical condition or is taking medication that may affect her mental health. Primary doctors often don't. Show that you're different, and more referrals will come your way.
This article was published by Cejka Search and originally appeared in Medical Economics Magazine. Copyright by Medical Economics Company Inc. at Montvale, NJ 07645. All rights reserved.