How to Succeed in Private Practice

What does it take to succeed in private practice? You've only seen academia during your residency, so you don't know much about private practice. Well, The Intubator has worked in private practice for 15 years (with two different groups), so he knows what it takes to succeed. Let's get into it!

1. Being flexible and adaptable. This is a critical skill. Being flexible and adaptable is important in any environment, but it's next level in private practice. You're probably going to cover multiple locations i.e. surgery centers, dental offices, cosmetic surgery offices, and fertility clinics, each with different equipment and staff members. You'll need to adapt quickly and seamlessly because everything will be unfamiliar--the facility, the equipment, and the people. I often hear residents say "I don't want to use that type of IV, I don't like it", and to that I reply, "that's exactly why you should learn to use it", because you never know what equipment you're going to be given at the next ambulatory surgery clinic.  

2. People skills. Anesthesia is a service profession. We provide a service which allows people to undergo surgery. People skills is truly the secret sauce to a successful career. In a nutshell, it means being pleasant, professional, and punctual. Do those three things, and you're already ahead of most of your peers!!

3. Technical skills. Like people skills, technical skills are important no matter what your practice environment is. But, in private practice, being slick with your hands is a huge plus, because by its nature, private practice demands time efficiency. So, get those reps in, and throw yourself into spinals, epidurals, and nerve blocks before moving into independent practice!

4. Openness to the business of medicine. By no means is this a requirement to succeed in private practice, but having a willingness to learn about the business of medicine will help you understand your practice better and make you a value-added partner. Some people think this means taking a course or getting an MBA, but you don't have to go those routes. Start with small steps. You learn best when you engage yourself directly in billing and negotiations. Learn about your group's billing practices. Join a committee. Volunteer to participate in your group's business meetings. Talk to your peers. You're more than capable of learning it, you just need the proper mindset to do it.