Bringing new patients into your practice

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

To what extent have you played an active role in bringing new patients into your practice?

I am 4 months into my first NP job, working for a pediatric specialist. There are more than enough patients for him but not quite enough to support a full time salary for me.

He has suggested that if I want to become full time I should speak to primary care doctors about referring patients to him. I've also been working on his website as well as placing articles/ads in community publications.

I'm fine with working on the website and advertising campaign but not as comfortable about speaking to PMDs. I'm not sure how to go about it. Is this part of my role as an NP?

His practice is definitely expanding and it's just a matter of time until I will have more patients than I know what to do with, the question is how much input or what kind of input I should have in growing the practice.

[reebokHCFR, MSN, EMT-P, APRN, NP]

He has suggested that if I want to become full time I should speak to primary care doctors about referring patients to him. Is this part of my role as an NP?

is it part of your role? I guess it depends on if you want your role to be full time or not. everyone in business is in marketing.

...the question is how much input or what kind of input I should have in growing the practice.

it doesn't sound like it's a question as far as your boss is concerned. it's you questioning him and/or being uncomfortable with his advice. I wouldn't like it very much either. also, it sounds like you're doing a good thing by improving the website and local ads. as a consumer, I get almost all of my information via those two avenues.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Yes, I'm uncomfortable about approaching local doctors and asking them to refer patients to him.

I just don't know how to go about doing it. Do I ask for an appointment? mention it casually if I'm being seen for myself or one of my kids? I'm just not the type to "chat people up" easily.

Putting ads and articles in local publications is right up my alley though.

[SandyRN1122]

I would approach some of the marketers that visit your office. Many have contacts all over the local medical community. All the ones I know would be happy to scratch any potential client's back. Another option would be just to send notifications to all the PCP offices in your area. Either one could open the door for a face-to-face meeting with a primary provider and encourage communication with other healthcare professionals.

You could also ask some of the home health companies that your office uses who in the PCP arena utilize them. Then focus on those offices; maybe it would provide a short list to concentrate on.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Gosh in my area so few peds practices are taking new pts, all you would need to do is send a notice that you are accepting new pts to FPs and OBs and you would be swamped.

[chrisrn24]

Yes, I'm uncomfortable about approaching local doctors and asking them to refer patients to him.

I just don't know how to go about doing it. Do I ask for an appointment? mention it casually if I'm being seen for myself or one of my kids? I'm just not the type to "chat people up" easily.

Putting ads and articles in local publications is right up my alley though.

I don't think you have anything to be uncomfortable about. You could make appointments with providers or send out a flyer. Don't "make up" an appointment.

Explain you are new to the practice and therefore Dr. X's clinic is now taking on more patients.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Thanks everyone. Good tips here! I think a flyer announcing that the practice is expanding is the way to go.

Trauma -- we're a peds specialty practice (asthma/pulmonology). The demand is definitely there, but we need to get the word out about our services.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Put flyers in the doctors lunges of the nearby hospitals.