I am Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits.
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In the whirlwind of building and managing your physiatry practice, it’s easy to believe that success hinges solely on acquiring new patients, investing in cutting-edge technology, or marketing yourself tirelessly. While those elements are important, one often-overlooked truth separates thriving practices from struggling ones: Your most valuable assets are the relationships you already have.
Whether it’s your team, your patients, or your professional network, nurturing these connections is the foundation of long-term profitability and fulfillment. Strengthening relationships is not just an ideal—it’s a tangible practice that drives success. But let’s be honest—fear and uncertainty often creep in.
• “What if my team doesn’t trust my leadership?”
• “What if my patients don’t stay loyal to my practice?”
• “What if I don’t know how to build these relationships effectively?”
These fears are valid, and you’re not alone in them. The good news? Just like muscles strengthen with focused effort, strengthening relationships can transform your practice.
1. Invest Time in Your Team and Patients
Time isn’t just money—it’s trust. As a physiatrist, your schedule is jam-packed, but carving out meaningful moments with your team and patients creates loyalty that marketing dollars can’t buy.
With Your Team:
- Hold regular check-ins where you actively listen and address their concerns.
- Celebrate small wins and make them feel seen and appreciated.
With Your Patients:
- Take an extra two minutes during each appointment to ask about their lives. A simple “How have you been feeling emotionally?” can shift their perception from being just another patient to feeling genuinely cared for.
When people feel valued, they stay—and they tell others about you. Strengthening relationships in these ways creates ripple effects of trust and loyalty.
2. Gratitude: The Cheapest and Most Powerful Business Tool
Gratitude isn’t just a warm-and-fuzzy buzzword—it’s a growth strategy. Your team and your patients are your business lifelines. Expressing gratitude regularly keeps them motivated and loyal.
• Send handwritten thank-you notes to loyal patients.
• Acknowledge team members publicly during meetings.
These simple gestures compound over time, creating a culture where people want to give their best.
3. Communicate With Vulnerability and Honesty
No one expects you to have all the answers. Whether you’re addressing a team issue or calming an anxious patient, vulnerability and transparency go a long way.
• Be honest about challenges your practice is facing and rally your team to find solutions.
• Share knowledge with patients in a way that empowers them rather than overwhelms them.
When you communicate openly, trust skyrockets.
4. Support Others’ Goals—It’s Not All About You
Your staff members have dreams, and your patients have health goals. Supporting them builds loyalty like nothing else.
• Encourage your team to pursue professional development opportunities.
• Celebrate your patients’ milestones, no matter how small.
When people see that you care about their growth, they naturally invest more in your success.
5. Navigate Conflict With Empathy
Every practice faces conflict—whether it’s a frustrated patient or team tension. The difference between a thriving and struggling practice lies in how those conflicts are resolved.
• Take a moment before reacting.
• Listen with the intent to understand, not to respond.
• Frame every resolution around a shared goal.
Empathy transforms conflict into connection.
Small Actions, Big Results
Strengthening relationships doesn’t require grand, sweeping changes. Small, consistent actions make the difference:
• A quick thank-you text to a colleague.
• Pausing to actively listen to a patient’s concerns.
• Offering flexibility when your team needs it.
Over time, these small moments compound into a thriving, loyal team, and an ever-growing patient base.
Your Call to Action: Start Today
The fear of not knowing how to improve your relationships can keep you stuck, but you don’t need to have everything figured out to start. Choose one action today:
• Write a thank-you note.
• Schedule a one-on-one with a team member.
• Spend two extra minutes listening to a patient.
Your practice’s profitability doesn’t start with fancy strategies—it starts with people.
Final Thought: People Over Profits, Always
When you focus on building strong, genuine relationships, profits naturally follow. Patients stay. Teams thrive. Word spreads. And most importantly, you build a business that feels fulfilling, sustainable, and deeply rewarding.
Take the first step today, and watch your physiatry practice transform—one relationship at a time.
If you’re ready to grow your practice with intentional strategies that put relationships first, let’s talk.
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Once you’ve decided that you want to leave your current job to start your practice, you need an exit plan. Check out our blog post here for tips on developing an exit plan and starting your new independent practice.
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I’m Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits. Please go to businessofrehab.com/contractnegotiations to pick up the free guide to help you negotiate the contract of your dreams.
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Attention, Physiatrists! Stop leaving money on the table. Sign up for the free video series: How To Build A Profitable Practice in 90 Days or Less: http://www.sixtytosuccess.com
