Based on the stories we’ve heard, setting up a clinic in India is not exactly a smooth experience. And if you are new to this game, the mistakes made were pretty common. Down below we list out these common mistakes and how you can avoid them.

1. Getting the money right

Money is an important part of running a clinic. After all, the clinic needs funds to remain operational. One important but surprisingly overlooked factor is budgeting. Find out what your needs are, and see if you can predict expenses in the future. Allocate funds for each expense, so that you are never left wondering where all the money went.  If you’ve taken a loan, try to predict how long it will take you to pay it off, so that you can see if the clinic is financially viable.

2.Not setting a concrete open date.

You know the time frame, and might have expectations to open the clinic at a certain date. But your landlord or insurance agent does not share your urgency, which might lead to unexpected delays. Same goes for getting the required licences from our Government. Remember that you are reliant on them, and factor that in while you set an opening date for your clinic. And give yourself some buffer time to accommodate for unexpected delays.

3. Not planning for the right technology

Depending on your area of specialisation, you will need a certain set of tools. Make sure that there is space to accommodate your equipment and that you have everything in place before you open . A practice management software can take care of your appointments, medical records, reports and a lot more. So make space for a laptop or a computer near your or your receptionist’s desk. If you still want to use pen-and-paper, make sure you have cabinets or cupboards to store everything.

4. Not making yourself heard

Patients need to know you exist for them to seek your diagnosis. Word-of-mouth is good but cannot get you very far, especially in today’s world. Get a name board for your practice that stands out from its surroundings. Get listed online and make sure you update your online profile with photos and  other clinic information.

5. Hiring the wrong people

Not being selective while hiring staff might seem convenient now, but might complicate matters in the long run. Make background checks mandatory for all your staff. Check their previous work experience, and verify if they actually worked there. And while hiring, you get what you pay for, so beware of cheap alternatives.

What are the other five common mistakes of starting a clinic in India? Find out in Part-2.

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