Physicians Hanging a Shingle | Start a Private Medical Practice

By Brittney Anderson, MD, FAAFP | Physician and Practice OwnerBusiness Entrepreneurship Medicine Health & Fitness

Physicians Hanging a Shingle | Start a Private Medical Practice episodes

November 02 #78: Not Every Patient Is Your Patient: Setting Boundaries in Private Practice
One of the benefits of owning your own private practice is having the autonomy to establish your own policies, expectations, and boundaries. But what happens when a patient isn't a good fit?
In this episode, we're talking about creating clear clinic policies, knowing when and how to appropriately dismiss patients, and understanding your legal and ethical responsibilities.
If you're preparing to open your own practice, this is something you'll want to think through before you ever see your first patient!
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
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If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
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If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
30 min
October 26#77: Private Practice Is Not Dead: What I Learned Talking to Physicians at FMX
After presenting "Private Practice Is Not Dead!" at the American Academy of Family Physicians' national FMX conference, I came home encouraged by the number of physicians who are still interested in owning their own practices.
In this episode, I'm sharing three things that stood out from my conversations with physicians across the country: why so many of us don't know where to begin, the value of learning from someone who's already done it, and why fear of failure shouldn't keep you from pursuing private practice.
If you've been thinking about opening your own practice, this episode is your reminder that you don't have to know everything before you get started.
Resources mentioned:
Plan to Practice Digital Course: https://hangingashingle.com/ptp
One-on-One Coaching and Free 15-Minute Fit Call: https://hangingashingle.com
21 min
October 12 #76: 3 Decisions to Make Before Opening Your Private Practice
Before you sign a lease, hire staff, or start spending money, there are three important decisions you need to make about your future private practice.
In this episode, I'm walking you through those decisions and sharing practical steps you can take now to build a practice that aligns with your goals.
Whether you're just considering private practice or already preparing to open, having a solid business plan can help you move forward with confidence.
Ready to create yours? My self-paced digital course, Plan to Practice, walks you step by step through creating your private practice business plan.
Enroll today: https://hangingashingle.com/ptp
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
-----
If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
17 min
October 05 #75: What Are You NOT Going to Offer When You Open Your Private Practice?
When you’re planning your private practice, it’s easy to focus on everything you want to offer. But not everything has to happen on opening day.
In this episode, we’re talking about how to decide what belongs in your opening-day practice, what can come next, and what belongs on the “someday” list. You’ll also learn why every new service creates additional costs and workflows—and why being intentional about what you don’t offer can make your launch stronger.
Ready to turn your private practice ideas into an actual business plan? Check out my business planning course for physicians at hangingashingle.com/ptp.
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
-----
If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
13 min
September 28#74: The Morning Huddle: 15 Minutes a Day That Can Change Your Private Practice
A good clinic day starts before the first patient walks through the door.
This week, I’m sharing the morning huddle system we use every day at Anderson Family Care—and that I’m presenting on at MGMA. I’ll walk you through the five parts of our 15-minute huddle, how it helps us stay aligned, catch care gaps, reduce surprises, and build team culture.
Whether you’re planning your private practice or already seeing patients, this is one simple system you can put in place without spending a dime.
In this episode:
The 5 parts of our daily morning huddle
Why our huddle is non-negotiable
How we use it to improve efficiency, quality, and communication
How to create a huddle for your own practice
Sometimes improving your practice isn’t about buying another tool—it’s about being more intentional with the systems you already have.
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
-----
If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
16 min
September 21 #73: HIPAA in Private Practice: What You Actually Need to Have in Place
HIPAA compliance is about more than having a privacy form at the front desk. As a private practice owner, you’re responsible for building the systems that protect patient information every day.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the practical side of HIPAA in private practice. From employee onboarding and ongoing training to patient forms, everyday clinic workflows, vendors and Business Associate Agreements, security risk assessments, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Whether you’re building an insurance-based, cash-pay, or direct primary care practice, this is one of those systems you want to get right from the beginning.
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
-----
If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
21 min
August 31 #72: 5 Things Worth the Money When You're Opening a Private Practice
When you’re opening a private practice, it can feel like money is going out the door everywhere. So where is it actually worth spending?
In this episode, I’m sharing five things I believe are worth the investment when starting your practice—from getting the right professional help to knowing when your time is better spent letting someone else handle the job.
I’ll also share where you can DIY, where I think it makes sense to pay a professional, and why sometimes spending money upfront can save you time, frustration, and expensive mistakes later.
Related Episodes
Episode 67: Legal Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Private Practice — with healthcare attorney Kim Cunningham
Episode 49: Branding Your Private Practice — with graphic designer Nadene Taylor
Episode 28: What Your Practice Website Should Include
Looking for more help building your private practice? Visit my website to learn more about Private Practice, On Purpose, my digital course, and one-on-one private practice coaching.
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
-----
If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
Your practice doesn’t have to open this week. It just needs to be a little closer to opening than it was last week.
20 min
August 17 #71: How to Make Progress Toward Opening Your Private Practice, Even When You’re Busy
Opening a private practice can feel overwhelming when you look at everything that needs to get done. But you don’t need an entire free weekend, or even several hours, to make meaningful progress.
In this episode, I’m challenging you to focus on one question: What are you working on this week?
Whether you have a few hours or just 30 minutes, there’s something you can do to move your practice forward. One phone call, one email, one section of your business plan...it all adds up.
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ORDER MY NEW BOOK: PRIVATE PRACTICE, ON PURPOSE
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In this episode, I discussed an earlier episode (#7: How My Clinic Facebook Launch Got 700+ Shares). Check it out, it's a great episode!
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
-----
If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
Your practice doesn’t have to open this week. It just needs to be a little closer to opening than it was last week.
13 min
August 10#70: Before You Talk to the Bank about Financing Your New Practice: 5 Things to Have Ready
Thinking about financing your private practice? Your first meeting with a bank shouldn't be the first time you've thought through the numbers.
In this episode, I’m sharing five things physicians should have ready before approaching a bank...from knowing your startup costs and having a business plan to preparing financial projections and understanding your timeline.
If you're ready to turn your private practice idea into an actionable plan, Plan to Practice will help you put the pieces together step by step.
In this episode:
What to know before approaching a lender
Why working capital matters
The financial documents and projections to prepare
Why you should start talking to banks earlier than you think
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If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
---
ORDER MY NEW BOOK: PRIVATE PRACTICE, ON PURPOSE
---
In this episode, I discussed an earlier episode (#7: How My Clinic Facebook Launch Got 700+ Shares). Check it out, it's a great episode!
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
16 min
August 03#69: 10 Things Patients See Before They Meet You
Your patient experience doesn't begin in the exam room; it begins long before you introduce yourself.
In this episode, I walk through 10 things every patient notices before they ever meet their physician, from your Google listing and website to your waiting room and staff. If you're planning a private practice, these small details can make a big impact on the trust and confidence your patients have from day one.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why first impressions start before the exam room
The 10 touch points every physician should evaluate before opening
Simple ways to create a patient experience that builds trust from the very beginning
---
ORDER MY NEW BOOK: PRIVATE PRACTICE, ON PURPOSE
---
In this episode, I discussed an earlier episode (#7: How My Clinic Facebook Launch Got 700+ Shares). Check it out, it's a great episode!
📌 Resources:
Take the Private Practice Readiness Quiz!
This quiz will help you identify where you fall on the readiness spectrum—and what your next best step should be.
-----
If you want step-by-step guidance to build your practice business plan, check out my new digital course: Plan to Practice. It's a short course designed to take you from scattered practice ideas to a detailed, individualized business plan. Learn more about the course by going to hangingashingle.com/ptp
----
If you’re building your own private practice and want step-by-step guidance from someone who’s done it successfully—I’d love to help.
Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.
----
Want weekly emails with insightful tips for starting your private practice? Click here to subscribe!
----
Social Media Communities:
Private Facebook Group: Physicians Starting Private Practices
Instagram: @hanging_a_shingle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittneyanderson
19 min