Insights from Dr. James Leavitt, the director of clinical innovation for Gastro Health. He discusses the evolving landscape of private medical practice and the changes anticipated in the near future.
Key Points from the Article:
Consumer-Oriented Approach: Dr. Leavitt emphasizes the increasing importance of a consumer-oriented approach in healthcare. He suggests that private practices need to be more attuned to social implications, including maintaining a strong social media presence, ensuring good online reviews, and optimizing search engine visibility. This shift is driven by patients’ growing reliance on the internet for healthcare information and provider selection.
Patient Experience and Engagement: The quality of patient experience is becoming as crucial as the quality of care. Practices need to focus on providing excellent patient experiences, both during office visits and through continued care outside of the office.
Trend Towards Consolidation: Especially in urban and suburban areas, there is a trend towards consolidation of practices. Dr. Leavitt believes that being part of a larger group can offer advantages due to the complexity of healthcare management and the need for robust IT infrastructure for data analytics.
Challenges for Solo Practitioners: Solo practitioners or small groups may find it increasingly challenging to operate independently due to the business complexities of healthcare.