There are over 360 types of management consultants listed in the Directory of
the Professional and Technical Consultants Association. Very few specialize
in health care practices. A good medical practice management consultant can
bring a fresh, unbiased perspective to viewing the strengths and weaknesses
of your practice. According to a Medical Economics poll, "more than 80%
of doctors who have used practice management consultants are tickled pink by
the job they did."
This checklist should help you choose one. (PMM's answers in parenthesis)
Is
what you want a service they provide? (see PMM's list at
PracticeMgmt.com)
How long have they been in business? (PMM has been in business since 1983)
What types of practices do they consult to most often? (PMM consults to healthcare
practices, mostly medical but some dental, chiropractic, and ancillary professions)
Do they provide an interview at no charge? (PMM – yes, by phone or visit)
Have I been honest and open in explaining my needs and concerns?
Is the person I meet the person I will work with? (PMM – yes, unless you
choose another PMM consultant with specialized skills or geographic service
area)
What is his/her background? (PMM – see CV of individual consultants, author's
is found here)
What are his/her strengths and weaknesses? (PMM – see CV of individual
consultants)
What references can he/she provide personally? (PMM – see CV of individual
consultants)
Do I like this person?
Can I work with him/her?
Do they sell anything or take commissions on anything? (PMM does not take commissions
or finders fees except in certain practice sale brokerage situations, and then
rarely. PMM sells the two books they have authored which set national standards
in the topics: The Medical
Practice Forms Book, and the Medical
Practice Pre-Employment Tests Book). Clients can always purchase them
directly from PMIC, the AMA
or on Amazon.com
instead if needed.
What are their fees? (at the time of writing, PMM fees are $240 per hour, or
retainers starting at $1900 per month. Project rates are available by request)
What reports will be provided? (PMM- it depends on the topic and client's needs)
What references does the company have? (PMM offers many references online, and
has hundreds more including the American Medical Association)
Does their contract have specific goals for my practice? (PMM – yes)
What if the goals aren't met in a timely fashion? (PMM – if the delay
is due to PMM, time will be extended at no charge to client – this is
extremely rare – such as in case of consultant illness or catastrophe
like the 1986 earthquake! Delays due to client behavior or catastrophe are evaluated
on a case by case basis.)
How much time will be provided? (PMM – time is identified in each client
contract)
Questions to ask medical practice management consultant's references:
Would you use this consultant again?
Did the results warrant the costs?
What were his/her strengths and weaknesses?
Are there back-up experts with other strengths?
The following is a list of the ten worst mistakes doctors make with
respect to their personal and professional advisors.
This list is with permission from Warren Boronson's book, Physicians' Guide
to Personal Advisors, Medical Economics Books,
Copyright 1985.
Not contacting your advisor when you need help.
Not keeping an advisor fully informed.
Not checking on an advisor before hiring him or her.
Ignoring an advisor's advice.
Not telling an advisor when s/he is not meeting your needs.
Not telling advisor "A" what advisor "B" is doing.
Not paying enough to hire a "first rate" advisor.
Trusting all advisors who work on commission.
Letting an expert in one field advise you in another field.
More Information:
To contact a consultant regarding this topic, e-mail us
For more medical practice information, articles, links, books, seminars, and consulting go to http://www.PracticeMgmt.com