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	<title>Article Portal 2008+ &#187; Family Practice</title>
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	<description>Lots of inspiration within..</description>
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		<title>Marketing the Family Practice</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/marketing-the-family-practice.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/marketing-the-family-practice.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 May 2010 16:39:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/marketing-the-family-practice.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Successfully marketing the family practice can be done by several different methods. The best methods are those that fit the practice style, the community or city the practice operates in and any that show measurable results.
Internet Marketing for Family Practice
The Internet is becoming more and more available, even in rural areas. Every family practice should [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Successfully marketing the family practice can be done by several different methods. The best methods are those that fit the practice style, the community or city the practice operates in and any that show measurable results.</p>
<p>Internet Marketing for Family Practice</p>
<p>The Internet is becoming more and more available, even in rural areas. Every family practice should have at least a webpage, if not a website, representing the practice online. The website should reflect the style and tone of the family practice. Practices where younger patients are seen will probably want to use a younger style in web design. For practices focusing more on older or even elder patients, the website tone should probably be more classic.</p>
<p>Ideally, the family practice homepage should be simple and to the point. Added pages can target the different age groups, different treatments offered, and other such divisions. This way, the page about pediatric treatments can be more child friendly. Teens are a class unto themselves and pages targeted toward teen patients should include more technology, even video or audio.</p>
<p>Every page of the website should include not only contact information but also a signup form for viewers to provide name and address in return for free health information and inclusion on the family practice email newsletter.</p>
<p>Email Marketing for Family Practice</p>
<p>Family practice newsletters can sent out regularly via email as well as being available in print form in the facility. Regular newsletters can contain health information, clinic news, customer news and appreciation information, games, trivia and more. </p>
<p>The newsletter should be specifically targeted toward those who will be receiving it. The tone should reflect the tone of the practice and the style should fit the community as well as the market. Family practices may wish to encourage user generated content by allowing comments and/or encouraging visitors to post tips, healthy recipes, etc.</p>
<p>Most of this information comes straight from the Family Practice pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you&#8217;ll know what they know.</p>
<p>Newspaper Marketing for Family Practice</p>
<p>In addition to standard newspaper ads, health information articles and blog excerpts linking to the family practice website or blog can be used. Newspaper readers who pay little attention to ads are likely to read articles or blog excerpts. A weekly column is another good way to market the family practice in local and area newspapers.</p>
<p>Professional Publications</p>
<p>Published articles and information in professional publications is a good way to build credibility and professionalism. Notice of such publications can be posted on the family practice website, blog and in newspaper announcements.</p>
<p>Community Participation</p>
<p>Family practices can greatly increase visibility by participating in community activities. In addition to joining appropriate clubs and organizations, clinic staff members can speak at area schools and daycares, participate in community fund raising events, parades and holiday celebrations and even sponsor community events. Providing tours for young schoolchildren can help ease the fear of physicians and medicine in young minds. Providing tours for older students who are considering careers and college is a good way to interact with the community and encourage education. </p>
<p>Branding Publications</p>
<p>The family practice can have standard health information booklets printed with the practice logo and give them away in the clinic, at the Chamber of Commerce, at health fairs, and other venues. Community health fairs are an excellent way to come in contact with potential clients. </p>
<p>There&#8217;s a multitude of ways and means to market the Family Practice. The best ways are those that fit the tone and style of the practice and fit the community or city where the practice is located. Marketing styles should blend well with the targeted population. Take the audience into consideration when looking at marketing methods.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..<br />- Do you want to make Your PDF files viral? Use This Secret Viral PDF Rebrander: <a href="http://www.viralpdfpro.com/"><b>Viral PDF</b></a></p>
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		<title>Implementing Office Systems in the Family Practice</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/implementing-office-systems-in-the-family-practice.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/implementing-office-systems-in-the-family-practice.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 May 2010 14:37:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/implementing-office-systems-in-the-family-practice.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When setting up the family practice, some essential services, including telephone, mail, answering service and medical transcription will need to be addressed.
Family Practice Telephone Systems
The family practice telephone system is vital. When evaluating potential telephone systems, there are a few key considerations. What rooms will phones be required in? How much automation is preferred? Does [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When setting up the family practice, some essential services, including telephone, mail, answering service and medical transcription will need to be addressed.</p>
<p>Family Practice Telephone Systems</p>
<p>The family practice telephone system is vital. When evaluating potential telephone systems, there are a few key considerations. What rooms will phones be required in? How much automation is preferred? Does the system need to send automated calls to patients reminding them of appointments or scheduling issues? Does the system need to play music or present health information while callers are on hold? </p>
<p>What about wireless systems? What about hands free systems? What about caller id, voice mail and long distance services? High speed Internet services will not require an extra dedicated telephone line. If high-speed services are not available, one telephone line will be required for Internet.</p>
<p>Once the requirements of the family practice telephone system are identified, it&#8217;s time to go shopping. Innovations in wireless technology have resulted in more and more practices using wireless products. </p>
<p>Choosing an Answering Service</p>
<p>Family practice personnel cannot be answering telephones 24/7. It&#8217;s important to choose the right answering service to represent the clinic. See what service other physicians are using. Check references and reputation. Some hospitals provide answering services.</p>
<p>It will be necessary to define answering service criteria. What constitutes an emergency? What about calls from family members? How much information should the answering service get in addition to a telephone number? </p>
<p>Most of this information comes straight from the Family Practice pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you&#8217;ll know what they know.</p>
<p>The more specific the details in what is required of the answering service, the easier it is for the answering service to meet those requirements.</p>
<p>Handling Mail</p>
<p>While email and faxes are often used for correspondence, standard mail is important. A small family practice may find it sufficient to simply purchase stamps in the beginning. As the practice grows, however, the mail volume will too.<br />
Postage options include the United States Postal Service online mailing and shipping as do services including Stamps and Endicia. Various companies provide postage meters. Pitney Bowes is one of the best known.</p>
<p>For packages, large and small, the UPSP online mailing and shipping service is available. Independent carriers include DHL, UPS and FedEx. It is necessary to use a street address with independent carriers. They do not deliver to post office boxes.</p>
<p>Medical Transcription</p>
<p>Medical transcription was once an issue of sending dictation to be transcribed either in the clinic or outsourced to someone in the area. New developments in family practice computer software and electronic medical record software has eliminated the need for transcription in some clinics. Since family practice staff, including office, nurses and physicians, input all information directly into the computer at the time it&#8217;s done, patient records are always current.</p>
<p>If medical transcription will be required, decisions must be made about whether to employ someone to take care of it in the family practice clinic or outsource it. If using a medical transcription service, it&#8217;s important to check references and reputation. It doesn&#8217;t hurt to ask other physicians what service they are using. </p>
<p>Some services are vital to operating the family practice. Reliable telephone systems that handle all required tasks, a quality answering service, a convenient and affordable mail handling system and medical transcription are just a few of those services.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..<br />- Do you want to make Your PDF files viral? Use This Secret Viral PDF Rebrander: <a href="http://www.viralpdfpro.com/"><b>Viral PDF</b></a></p>
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		<title>Women Are Changing Family Practice</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/women-are-changing-family-practice.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/women-are-changing-family-practice.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 15:42:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/women-are-changing-family-practice.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you think about Family Practice, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Family Practice are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
Today more than ever women are helping to change the face of family practice. There have always been more men in family [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When you think about Family Practice, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Family Practice are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.</p>
<p>Today more than ever women are helping to change the face of family practice. There have always been more men in family practice than there have been women. For many years, women were reluctant to enter family practice because there was gender stereotyping, sexism, and difficulties of mixing and balancing both family and work. Today, women are not only becoming doctors more and more they also fill some of the seats on the board of directors.</p>
<p>Women in family practice are rejecting the negative stereotypes and proving that they can not only balance both family and work, they can excel at it. There are many support groups, seminars, and literature available today that encourage women to pursue careers in family practice and how to come up with a harmonious balance between the two. These are only a small part of the changing attitudes that show that people are more accepting of women running family practices whereas years ago, it may not have been so acceptable. Further, there was no help available to women at all that assisted women and gave them a place to turn to. </p>
<p>Until recently women have been the minority especially in family practice but as more people have showed an interest in female doctors, the demands are being filled. Many women feel much more comfortable speaking with not only a female doctor but one who has positioned herself in a family practice because there is no greater comfort zone. However, many men want to see a female doctor too, which is another reason that women and family practice fit together and are a perfect match. </p>
<p>The best time to learn about Family Practice is before you&#8217;re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Family Practice experience while it&#8217;s still free.</p>
<p>Many family practice doctors are actually offering partnerships that are geared towards women doctors because they have a tendency to attract new patients. It causes a lot of work for women when they attempt to manage a family practice, balance a family, and continue to work towards furthering their careers but are able to do it. Women are actually an asset to the world of family practice and with this constant growth; it is possible to reestablish the role of family medicine practice. </p>
<p>Since family practice embraces health care, mainly preventative, and treats babies to seniors, many people also like the idea of having a woman ran family practice because children are more likely to take to women than men doctors. Family practices are a place that families as a whole can go for medical treatment and see the same doctor each time and continue with an ongoing medical relationship. </p>
<p>Times have changed since back in the day and although women have not been able to bust the glass ceiling they surely have put a few cracks in it. If women keep going and not just in family practice in particular, the glass ceiling might just disappear altogether. There is no doubt that women are changing the way that people view family practice in general. They are an asset and are going to show that they can make changes, become leaders, and change the whole concept of what a family practice really is. </p>
<p>Is there really any information about Family Practice that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..<br />- Do you want to make Your PDF files viral? Use This Secret Viral PDF Rebrander: <a href="http://www.viralpdfpro.com/"><b>Viral PDF</b></a></p>
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		<title>Repositioning Your Family Practice For Future Growth</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/repositioning-your-family-practice-for-future-growth-2.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/repositioning-your-family-practice-for-future-growth-2.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Apr 2010 01:06:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/repositioning-your-family-practice-for-future-growth-2.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The following paragraphs summarize the work of Family Practice experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Family Practice. Heed their advice to avoid any Family Practice surprises.
The whole system of health care is becoming more and more complex with the exception of family practice doctors. There are doctors or specialists that are [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The following paragraphs summarize the work of Family Practice experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Family Practice. Heed their advice to avoid any Family Practice surprises.</p>
<p>The whole system of health care is becoming more and more complex with the exception of family practice doctors. There are doctors or specialists that are committed to treating just cancer or just the heart but family practice doctors are committed to treating the whole person and nothing can be more unique than that. </p>
<p>Because of the grim image that has been given to family practice doctors many medical students are turning their back on the possibility of entering the family practice field. In order to keep up with the times and for upcoming generations to invest their trust into family practices, the entire basis of family practice may have to be remarketed to them. Although many family practice doctors believe that it is unethical to allow themselves a marketing budget and solicit themselves they are going to have to enter a new facet in order to draw the new generations into the belief that family practice is not second rate health care. Baby boomers have visited the same family practice for decades but many of the following generations refuse to consider it. </p>
<p>Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there&#8217;s more to Family Practice than you may have first thought. </p>
<p>Many family practices rely on word of mouth to build up their patient population but in order to capture the new generations and allow family practice to refuel in an attempt to advance into the future; some strategic moves will have to take place. Start off with seeing what is going on with your competition, the community as a whole, and their expectations. Review patient records and have patients fill out short surveys while they are waiting and allow them to remain anonymous. Family practice doctors are going to have to recapture their patients and potential patients in order to ensure future growth and stability. </p>
<p>It helps if your family practice has been longstanding in your community and has a good reputation. Where are your strengths and weaknesses? Review your cancellation rates, staff turnover, and scheduling procedures. See where there may be room for correction or if it is fine the way that it is. Look at the demographics of your family practice and see where your patients are from, are they mainly male or female, children or adults? All of these are things to consider when deciding which avenue you will pursue when marketing your family practice. </p>
<p>Find out how your patients perceive you and your family practice. Why do they come to see you and are these needs changing at all? These are the questions that need to be answered so that you can move your family practice and reposition it for greater strength. People will then come to understand that only family practices offer health care for the entire body. You have a major advantage so go ahead and use it. Compare a family practice to that of a Walmart or Meijer or any one stop shopping. They offer everything. In rare cases, you may have to go to a specialty store for something rare. A specialist is comparable to going to a meat market, a place that has quality meats but if you are looking for anything else you will have to make another stop. Analyzing it that way will make it easier for your patients to see that running to a bunch of different doctors doesn&#8217;t make sense. </p>
<p>There&#8217;s no doubt that the topic of Family Practice can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about Family Practice, you may find what you&#8217;re looking for in the next article.  </p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..<br />- Do you want to make Your PDF files viral? Use This Secret Viral PDF Rebrander: <a href="http://www.viralpdfpro.com/"><b>Viral PDF</b></a></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Repositioning Your Family Practice For Future Growth</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/repositioning-your-family-practice-for-future-growth.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/repositioning-your-family-practice-for-future-growth.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:19:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/repositioning-your-family-practice-for-future-growth.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The only way to keep up with the latest about Family Practice is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Family Practice, it won&#8217;t take long for you to become an influential authority.
The whole system of health care is becoming more and more complex with the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The only way to keep up with the latest about Family Practice is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Family Practice, it won&#8217;t take long for you to become an influential authority.</p>
<p>The whole system of health care is becoming more and more complex with the exception of family practice doctors. There are doctors or specialists that are committed to treating just cancer or just the heart but family practice doctors are committed to treating the whole person and nothing can be more unique than that. </p>
<p>Because of the grim image that has been given to family practice doctors many medical students are turning their back on the possibility of entering the family practice field. In order to keep up with the times and for upcoming generations to invest their trust into family practices, the entire basis of family practice may have to be remarketed to them. Although many family practice doctors believe that it is unethical to allow themselves a marketing budget and solicit themselves they are going to have to enter a new facet in order to draw the new generations into the belief that family practice is not second rate health care. Baby boomers have visited the same family practice for decades but many of the following generations refuse to consider it. </p>
<p>It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of Family Practice is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about Family Practice.</p>
<p>Many family practices rely on word of mouth to build up their patient population but in order to capture the new generations and allow family practice to refuel in an attempt to advance into the future; some strategic moves will have to take place. Start off with seeing what is going on with your competition, the community as a whole, and their expectations. Review patient records and have patients fill out short surveys while they are waiting and allow them to remain anonymous. Family practice doctors are going to have to recapture their patients and potential patients in order to ensure future growth and stability. </p>
<p>It helps if your family practice has been longstanding in your community and has a good reputation. Where are your strengths and weaknesses? Review your cancellation rates, staff turnover, and scheduling procedures. See where there may be room for correction or if it is fine the way that it is. Look at the demographics of your family practice and see where your patients are from, are they mainly male or female, children or adults? All of these are things to consider when deciding which avenue you will pursue when marketing your family practice. </p>
<p>Find out how your patients perceive you and your family practice. Why do they come to see you and are these needs changing at all? These are the questions that need to be answered so that you can move your family practice and reposition it for greater strength. People will then come to understand that only family practices offer health care for the entire body. You have a major advantage so go ahead and use it. Compare a family practice to that of a Walmart or Meijer or any one stop shopping. They offer everything. In rare cases, you may have to go to a specialty store for something rare. A specialist is comparable to going to a meat market, a place that has quality meats but if you are looking for anything else you will have to make another stop. Analyzing it that way will make it easier for your patients to see that running to a bunch of different doctors doesn&#8217;t make sense. </p>
<p>The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you&#8217;ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Family Practice.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, author of this <a href="http://www.free-adsense-ebook.com"><b>Free Adsense eBook</b></a> &#8212; make sure to claim your free adsense ebook download!</p>
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		<title>Building a Patient Base in Family Practice</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/building-a-patient-base-in-family-practice.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/building-a-patient-base-in-family-practice.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:20:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/building-a-patient-base-in-family-practice.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The whole point of a family practice is treating patients. Once the clinic is set up, staffed and all the necessary systems in place, it&#8217;s time to cultivate a client base.
Referrals
The first step in getting referrals from other physicians is in letting those physicians know you are available. If you&#8217;ve applied for and been approved [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The whole point of a family practice is treating patients. Once the clinic is set up, staffed and all the necessary systems in place, it&#8217;s time to cultivate a client base.</p>
<p>Referrals<br />
The first step in getting referrals from other physicians is in letting those physicians know you are available. If you&#8217;ve applied for and been approved for hospital privileges, attend meetings and get to know other physicians. Make an effort to meet local surgeons and other professionals. Social workers, dentists, nurses, daycare owners, chiropractors, and pharmacists come into contact with large numbers of people.</p>
<p>Advertising<br />
Run announcements in local newspapers and on radio. Consider using a professional mailing service to send out announcements. A professional mailing service will have targeted mailing lists making it possible to send the announcements to those people most likely to seek treatment at the family practice. </p>
<p>Some physicians swear by postcards. The postcards announcing the family practice are sent to both medical professionals and individuals. It costs less to send a postcard than it does a letter and people are usually more likely to read the postcard. The hospital marketing department may have  a service in place for announcing new physicians in the area.<br />
Ads aren&#8217;t the only way to get the family practice noticed in the newspaper. Health information articles, notices of special prices for certain services, and frequently asked question columns in newspapers are good ways to advertise.<br />
Create brochures advertising the family practice and give them to local Chamber of Commerce and Welcoming Services. The brochure should state general information including where the family practice is located, what services are provided. The physician&#8217;s photo and personal information, including credentials, should also be in the brochure. It&#8217;s generally recommended that staff photos not be included.</p>
<p>Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you&#8217;re fully informed about Family Practice, keep reading.</p>
<p>Website<br />
Internet websites aren&#8217;t considered productive advertising methods. They are a necessity, however. The Internet is becoming a household tool and people hearing about the family practice are likely to check it out online.<br />
Do make sure the family practice has an Internet presence featuring a website that reflects the tone and general target audience of the practice. This is a good place to feature staff photos and information. It&#8217;s much easier to update a web page if staffing changes than it is to change brochures and print information.</p>
<p>Newsletter<br />
A family practice newsletter can be a good way to build and maintain the patient base. With the popularity, ease and low cost of email newsletters, the newsletter has become a cost effective means of family practice advertising. Some family practice newsletters are available in both print and electronic editions. Easy to use software makes it possible for clinics to do their own newsletters in house and save money.  </p>
<p>When considering a family practice newsletter, it&#8217;s important to decide how often the newsletter will be published and in what forms. The minimum frequency is four times a year. Monthly newsletters require more dedication as well as time. Delivery will have to be decided, whether print, electronic or both.</p>
<p>One advanced marketing method using the electronic newsletter is to create a series of health information emails. Put a signup box on the website and in the newsletter, giving readers the option of subscribing. By using an autoresponder, the health information emails can be delivered over a dedicated period of time. The more people hear or read the information, the more they remember the family practice. Even if they don&#8217;t need healthcare, they may be asked by a friend or neighbor to recommend a health care facility.</p>
<p>Getting patients to a new family practice is all about getting the word out. Attend medical meetings, organizational meetings and community gatherings. Let pharmacists, social workers and others know the family practice is open and accepting new patients. Get in touch with surgeons and others who refer patients. Advertise online and in the community. When patients do arrive, let them know that you appreciate the opportunity to help them manage health issues. </p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest acquisition: <a href="http://www.freegoogletrafficsystem.com"><b>Free Google Traffic System</b></a> and make sure to visit my bonus site!</p>
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		<title>Making the Most of The Family Practice Website</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/making-the-most-of-the-family-practice-website.htm</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:48:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/making-the-most-of-the-family-practice-website.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you&#8217;re learning about something new, it&#8217;s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.
More and more people are becoming comfortable in using the Internet and many now have Internet access at home. A well designed family practice website can [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When you&#8217;re learning about something new, it&#8217;s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.</p>
<p>More and more people are becoming comfortable in using the Internet and many now have Internet access at home. A well designed family practice website can serve as an introduction for the practice and an advertisement of services offered.<br />
Family Practice Website as Introduction</p>
<p>The appearance of the family practice website is crucial. Viewers will judge the practice by the appearance of the web pages. The website should match the tone of the clinic. If the family practice sees only adults, the website should reflect that. </p>
<p>Crucial information to be included on the family practice website includes location, hours of operation, telephone and fax numbers, directions, and information about the services offered. If the practice is a cash only one, this should be noted on the website. </p>
<p>Including a signup box for a free family practice newsletter or health report will encourage people to take the time to submit names and addresses. A signup form should be prominently displayed on every page of the website.<br />
Staff information in the form of photos, short biographies and job titles or descriptions can personalize the website. A smiling face goes a long way in starting a family practice/patient relationship. </p>
<p>Some family practice websites include news and notes pages where news regarding the practice is announced as well as news regarding patients. Community and school achievements are a good way to promote area goodwill and advertise the practice. Do be sure to get permission before posting photos. The decision to use full names versus first names only will depend upon the area and the family practice.</p>
<p>Ads and Links on Family Practice Website</p>
<p>You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Family Practice. But don&#8217;t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.</p>
<p>The issue of ads and links on the website should be addressed. Ideally, there should be no ads on the main pages. The website is, after all, supposed to be promoting and advertising the family practice. This said, offering a page where patients who use the practice can post a link to their business may be a good idea. Consider sponsoring a community page of some type and encourage anyone from the area to use the page.</p>
<p>Links that lead to health information regarding general health or the specific issues addressed by the family practice can prove to be useful. Patient education can be integrated into the website via an informative section of the website or links to such information. </p>
<p>Including a frequently asked questions area on the family practice website is a creative way to provide information while promoting the practice. Include a form to encourage website viewers to submit questions or comments.</p>
<p>Family Practice Website as Shameless Clinic Promotion</p>
<p>The family practice website should include physician credentials and accomplishments along with those of support staff. If staff have contributed in some way to the community, this information should be on the website. If the practice contributes to community activities, charitable or other such activities, this information should be on the website. Consider adding links for donations to charity. </p>
<p>Maximizing the Family Practice Website</p>
<p>The family practice website can be an important part of building the practice and maintaining it. Make the most of the opportunity. Showcase staff members, clinic and community activity, blog, announce news and hold contests. Include a signup form on every page, encouraging Internet surfers to sign up in exchange for free report or other item. Include the family practice website url in all advertising on and off-line.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s no doubt that the topic of Family Practice can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about Family Practice, you may find what you&#8217;re looking for in the next article.  </p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, still having the <a href="http://www.freeadsensetemplates.com"><b>Free Adsense Templates</b></a> available for instant download</p>
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		<title>Designing &amp; Furnishing the Family Practice</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/designing-furnishing-the-family-practice.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/designing-furnishing-the-family-practice.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:17:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/designing-furnishing-the-family-practice.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Starting a family practice is a lot of work. When it comes to office layout and design, taking a little time in the beginning can save both time and work later. 
When leasing a new building that is still under construction, it&#8217;s possible to design the entire interior layout of the clinic. This will involve [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Starting a family practice is a lot of work. When it comes to office layout and design, taking a little time in the beginning can save both time and work later. </p>
<p>When leasing a new building that is still under construction, it&#8217;s possible to design the entire interior layout of the clinic. This will involve total design including plumbing, electrical, walls, flooring and everything involved in building and furnishing the interior. </p>
<p>While this is a good way to design the family practice clinic of your dreams, it&#8217;s also a good way to empty your wallet and take on a large debt. Whether residential or commercial, building is costly. Depending upon the area and current prices, it could cost anywhere from $65 to $95 per square foot to complete the family practice building.</p>
<p>Many physicians starting a new family practice start by renting an already completed (and usually already used) building. Setting up the clinic in this case usually involves remodeling, a little or a lot. New paint, flooring and possible fixtures are typical remodeling expenses and much less costly than the building and furnishing process. </p>
<p>Maximize Efficiency in the Family Practice Floor plan</p>
<p>No matter what type of rental situation is in use, it is recommended that the interior be set up in a way that maximizes efficiency. Exam rooms should be huddled together. This makes it easy to go from room to room when seeing patients. A small workstation within the area will make it possible to review charts and manage telephone calls. Most experts suggest a minimum of three exam rooms per physician.</p>
<p>Those of you not familiar with the latest on Family Practice now have at least a basic understanding. But there&#8217;s more to come.</p>
<p>The best laid layouts move patients from waiting area to reception to exam rooms in a streamlined fashion. The receptionist should be able to see the entire waiting area. All hallways, doorways and pathways should be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.</p>
<p>Waiting areas should be comfortable and relaxing. An aquarium can be an excellent addition to the furnishings. The waiting area is the new patient&#8217;s first impression of the family practice. Make it a good one. </p>
<p>Stocking the Family Practice</p>
<p>Furnishing and stocking a new family practice can get costly if attention isn&#8217;t paid to details. The first step is to find out what discounts are available from professional organizations. Ask other physicians where they shop. </p>
<p>Consider buying used furniture and furnishings. Used furniture stores and office supply stores are good places to start looking. Often banks and hospitals redecorate and sell used furnishings at a good price. </p>
<p>When it comes to purchasing equipment and clinical supplies, many vendors have checklists. Consider creating a list and asking for bids from several vendors.  Chart materials and office supplies can be found online and at local supply stores.<br />
Setting up a new family practice is an involved process. If starting from scratch with a new building that must be designed, there&#8217;s even more work (and money!) involved. No matter which method of renting or purchasing is being used, do make checklists of the tasks that need to be done and the supplies that must be acquired.</p>
<p>Carefully consider layout and use a floor plan that saves time and money. When your family practice becomes a successful, busy one, you&#8217;ll be glad you did.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, still having the <a href="http://www.freeadsensetemplates.com"><b>Free Adsense Templates</b></a> available for instant download</p>
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		<title>When Your Family Practice Physician Retires</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/when-your-family-practice-physician-retires.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/when-your-family-practice-physician-retires.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:42:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/when-your-family-practice-physician-retires.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This article explains a few things about Family Practice, and if you&#8217;re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don&#8217;t know.
You may have had the same family practice doctor for a great number of years and just got news that he is about to retire. You are beside yourself [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This article explains a few things about Family Practice, and if you&#8217;re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don&#8217;t know.</p>
<p>You may have had the same family practice doctor for a great number of years and just got news that he is about to retire. You are beside yourself and are in a panic mode trying to even fathom who will be able to take his place. Because of the fact that family practice doctors are considered somewhat old school, it is likely this will happen one day.</p>
<p>Your doctor will find someone to take over his family practice that he is confident in and believes has a good bedside manner. He will probably familiarize himself with the new doctor first and have him come to the office during business hours and watch how your doctor conducts business and possibly to see any interaction that the new doctor may have with the patients and staff. </p>
<p>This process will probably begin months or maybe even as much as a year before your doctor&#8217;s retirement. You will probably be notified first by a personal letter from your doctor announcing his retirement but it is possible that the first time you hear about it could be from rumor or gossip. You will have plenty of time to make at least one appointment with your doctor before he goes and he will value your opinion on your feelings toward the new doctor. </p>
<p>Now that we&#8217;ve covered those aspects of Family Practice, let&#8217;s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.</p>
<p>The nurse staff will probably give you a good heads up too as to whether or not they like him, especially if they do not, as they will get a job somewhere else. If the staff stays it is a sign that you are probably in good shape. Remember, you have been dealing with the staff for a long time so they will at least give you an eye roll if they do not think you will care for him. Trust in your doctor, he is the one who picked him. </p>
<p>Once more before your doctor retires, you should be able to have an opportunity to meet with your doctor while the new doctor is present and speak with both of them. This makes the transaction much smoother. After all, this is a huge transition for you and your doctor understands that.</p>
<p>When it is time to schedule an appointment with the new doctor, you will at least know what to expect. It is certain that the new doctor will do all he can to make your visit comfortable. He will want to go over your chart and see what your past medical history has been. He is now your new family practice doctor, of course he will want to know. Be confident and if you have any apprehension, tell him about it. It may even take a visit or two before you will get to know him and be certain of a choice between stating with the new doctor and perhaps checking out the competition of other family practices in your area. </p>
<p>Chances are that your new doctor has had a chance to scope out any weaknesses that your old doctor had and maybe he corrected them to make the new family practice even better than ever. </p>
<p>That&#8217;s the latest from the Family Practice authorities. Once you&#8217;re familiar with these ideas, you&#8217;ll be ready to move to the next level.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, now offering <a href="http://www.cheapwebhosting-1.com/reseller.htm"><b>Unlimited Reseller Hosting</b></a> from $5/month</p>
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		<title>Tax Entities and Family Practice</title>
		<link>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/tax-entities-and-family-practice.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/tax-entities-and-family-practice.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:50:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>petereriksson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Practice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruffonionline.com/family-practice/tax-entities-and-family-practice.htm</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tax entity choice can affect family practice in many ways. Making the right choice will help protect both practice and physician.
Family Practice Entity Types
Typical entity options for family practice include sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships and professional S or C corporations. The two biggest influences in choosing the right entity [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tax entity choice can affect family practice in many ways. Making the right choice will help protect both practice and physician.</p>
<p>Family Practice Entity Types</p>
<p>Typical entity options for family practice include sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships and professional S or C corporations. The two biggest influences in choosing the right entity are protection against litigation and the financial issues associated with the entity. It&#8217;s important to consult a legal professional before making this family practice financial decision because the implications can be tremendous.</p>
<p>Choosing to operate the family practice as a professional corporation, a limited liability corporation or a limited liability partnership usually provides protection against personal liability regarding the actions of any other physicians in the practice.</p>
<p>For financial reasons, most group family practices tend to choose professional corporations. The professional corporation, whether S type or C type, provides the practice with protection from financial creditors.</p>
<p>Sole Proprietorship &#038; General Partnership</p>
<p>The sole proprietorship is the cheapest and easiest choice in choosing a tax designation for the family practice. Business income and expense are reported on a schedule C. The problem with a sole proprietorship is that the physician&#8217;s assets can be taken if the business is sued. This is a lot like a sole proprietorship, except that there are multiple business owners involved. Again, there is no liability protection when using this entity.</p>
<p>Limited Liability</p>
<p>I trust that what you&#8217;ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.</p>
<p>Limited Liability Partnerships are the only kind of unincorporated entity that provide some form of protection from personal liability (including protection from liability for the actions of staff or other physicians in the practice.) A physician could lose his practice with this form of entity, but personal assets would be safe.<br />
Limited liability companies are much like a mix of the best available entity benefits. They are fast becoming the entity of choice for many family practices.</p>
<p>Incorporated Entities</p>
<p>Incorporating the family practice is more involved and more expensive but more protection is offered. The biggest reason physicians choose an incorporated entity is the protection from personal liability regarding the actions of colleagues. C corporations have several benefits. They also have a downside &#8211; it&#8217;s possible to be doubly taxed. S corporation profits are not taxed twice.</p>
<p>Entities and Tax Issues for Family Practice</p>
<p>Tax liabilities are important to consider when choosing an entity.  Professional C corporations will pay a flat 35% rate tax on net income but profits can be taxed twice. Professional S corporations don&#8217;t result in double taxing of profit but it isn&#8217;t possible to write off the cost of all benefits. </p>
<p>There are many implications when considering tax rates and entity. In order to avoid duplicate taxing and other negative consequences, consult a financial advisor and make sure all involved details are understood.</p>
<p>Cost  of Entity Set Up for Family Practice</p>
<p>The cost to set up an entity and maintain it vary according to state rules and regulations. Professional corporations require more record keeping and paperwork than do limited liability partnerships or limited liability corporations.<br />
When setting up the Family Practice, it&#8217;s important to take the time and money necessary to investigate options regarding incorporation, tax and related issues. Once the best entity has been recognized, it&#8217;s important to legally implement it and maintain it. </p>
<p>When it comes to tax related issues, careful consideration is important, especially regarding the setup of the family practice. Decisions made now affect the practice down the road. Consult with legal professionals before choosing the entity for the family practice.</p>
<p>I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing&#8211;the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.</p>
<p>About the Author<br />
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this <a href="http://trafficpython.com/x/aff/50092"><b>Free Website Traffic</b></a> generation site</p>
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