The Intake

Insights for those starting, managing, and growing independent healthcare practices

Lauren Wheeler, BCPA, MD

Dr. Lauren Wheeler is a former family medicine physician who currently works as a healthcare advocate and medical editor. She is now and has always been a writer. You can get in touch with her about anything writing or advocacy at her website: www.lostcoastadvocacy.com.

Latest in Lauren Wheeler, BCPA, MD

Medical practice local market research.
Medical practice local market research.
How to conduct local market research to establish a community-focused medical practice

Deciding your practice’s focus based on your community’s needs is crucial for a successful medical start-up. Setting up a dermatology practice in an already-competitive area would likely lead to frustration, for instance. Accurate market research is the key to identifying community needs and choosing the best location for your practice. There are multiple methods for […]

Group of practice staff members planning marketing campaigns
Group of practice staff members planning marketing campaigns
5 fresh marketing ideas for your new medical practice

Stand out from your competition by executing fresh marketing campaigns for your medical practice.

This is an image of a provider looking at a tablet screen in a medical office.
This is an image of a provider looking at a tablet screen in a medical office.
The importance of tools and emerging technology for your new medical practice

Learn what to prioritize when choosing technology for a new medical practice.

person looking at medical job posting sites and job boards
person looking at medical job posting sites and job boards
Where to post job ads for your medical practice

Need to staff your medical practice? Find out where to post your job ads, from healthcare job boards to social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter.

What is credentialing in healthcare
What is credentialing in healthcare
What to know about insurance credentialing when starting your own practice

There are many steps involved in getting your practice up and functioning. One of the items to check off your list as soon as possible is getting credentialed with various insurance companies.

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your medical practice
image of person researching checklist for onboarding employees in a healthcare practce
image of person researching checklist for onboarding employees in a healthcare practce
5 steps to successfully onboard new employees at your medical practice

Better healthcare onboarding is an important part of practice management. Here’s how to do it correctly.

Medical provider reviews online reputation on mobile device
Medical provider reviews online reputation on mobile device
Unlock provider profiles to manage your online reputation

Do you know where your information is online? Discover how to find and optimize your provider profiles and manage your online reputation.

woman smiling after Securing funding for a new medical practice
woman smiling after Securing funding for a new medical practice
Securing funding for a new medical practice

One of the first steps in opening a practice is funding it. Here’s what you need to know about getting healthcare practice loans.

doctor smiling and speaking to patient
doctor smiling and speaking to patient
How digital experiences affect patient satisfaction scores

Find out how implementing digital experiences can make a positive impact on patient satisfaction.

Image of self-employed physician looking at paperwork
Image of self-employed physician looking at paperwork
Key mindset shifts to becoming a self-employed physician

Consider these mindset shifts when making the transition to becoming self-employed.

starting a medical practice
starting a medical practice
How to start a new medical practice: The definitive guide

If you’re considering opening a practice and want step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process, you’ve found the right resource.

Physician reading on his phone about where patients find doctors online
Physician reading on his phone about where patients find doctors online
4 ways patients find doctors online

Where do patients find healthcare providers? Here are the top 4 places patients search for doctors and dentists online — and how to stand out.

colleagues reviewing business plan for medical practice
colleagues reviewing business plan for medical practice
Free template: How to create a business plan for your new practice

Your medical practice business plan is a living document that evolves as your practice grows. Here’s how to build it from scratch.

woman reviewing medical website best practices
woman reviewing medical website best practices
8 medical website best practices for doctors and dentists

What impression does your practice website make? Dive into the top 8 best practices for doctors and dentists to elevate your site and attract patients.

doctors discussing medical billing insurance claims process
doctors discussing medical billing insurance claims process
How to process insurance claims for medical practices

For medical practices that accept insurance, insurance claims are a crucial part of managing accounts receivable.

two doctors discussing flexibility in healthcare
two doctors discussing flexibility in healthcare
Why patients demand flexibility from their healthcare provider

Flexibility in healthcare matters to patients. Here’s how to increase your flexibility — not your workload.

Man looking at tablet learning about website design for medical practices.
Man looking at tablet learning about website design for medical practices.
Why medical practice website design fails to attract patients

If your medical practice’s website design is failing to attract and retain patients, you may need to ensure you have these 5 key items on your site.

Ozempic in America
Ozempic in America
Ozempic in America: What’s the real impact? A survey reveals details

Diabetes and weight loss drug Ozempic has gone viral — causing a shortage. Find out its side effects, alternatives, broader impacts, and who wants it most.

doctor treating patient and smiling
doctor treating patient and smiling
What is the patient experience, and why is it important for independent medical practices?

Patient experience impacts all aspects of your practice. Learn how to improve it, including using technology that supports the patient’s needs and preferences.

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your medical practice

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your healthcare practice