Strategies for Practice

During the flu season, it is important for NDs to carefully consider their options when treating a patient. Maintaining optimum health involves learning about disease prevention and understanding any underlying medical conditions, as well as teaching their patients to protect themselves from the flu and what they should do if contracted.

On January 11, CCNM hosted a forum examining the role of NDs in providing patients with the best options in preventing and treating influenza with a focus on the H1N1 pandemic. In addition to recognizing and diagnosing the symptoms of the flu, an ND must also take into account the history and current context of the illness.

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Please use this checklist to store your progress and continue through this site.

One month after opening

Take a deep breath. You have survived the first month of being in business for yourself. Your clinic probably isn't as busy as you would like but this provides you a great opportunity to do some planning, promotion and to get your systems in place.
Plan an open house
Set up a system for GST/PST and employee tax deduction remittances
Review your cash forecast for the last month against actual and revise, if necessary, your forecast for the next three – six months

Three months after opening

Reassess advertising and marketing plan
Don’t forget to update your website and keep the information current
Establish and follow a marketing schedule

Six months after opening

Review your spending and revenue
Monitor the turnover of the product inventory and negotiate product returns where appropriate
Manage your finances - distinguish between gross revenue and your earnings
Develop relationships with neighbourhood health providers - dentists, pharmacists, health food stores, health clubs, etc.
Refine your office systems
Create a script to use with new patients
Assess patient retention and develop appropriate strategies
Manage QuickBooks/excel spreadsheet on a regular basis and track GST separately (ask your accountant for a template that is appropriate)
Develop a system for monitoring monthly cash flow
Seek out mentors in the field and arrange to get together with them (bring your questions!)
Budget your "promotion time" carefully because every minute you spend not seeing patients is money lost
Consider creating a patient survey