Roundtable · Technology
Technology That Actually Changes an Independent Practice
How do you use technology in your practice?
Practice Mindshare Podcast, Episode 7 ·
Technology is the easiest thing for a practice to buy and the hardest thing to use well. The two co-founders here approach it from opposite ends: one uses the simplest tool imaginable to build trust before a patient arrives, the other explains how to afford the expensive tools at all.
“Let them see who you are and what you do, so that when they come and meet with you in person, they're already open.”
Dr. Harris sends every new patient through a video consult before they come in, and not a live one. He records his thoughts on their case, sends it over, and they watch it when they have time.
The purpose is to break down barriers and build trust: to let the patient see who he is and what he does before they ever sit in the chair. When they do arrive, they are already open to asking their questions and more willing to raise concerns along the way.
“The fastest thing a practitioner can do is become a group, and it could be as little as two people. All boats rise.”
Dr. Ong sees technology as the thing that drives a practice's ability to deliver care in every field, whether audiology, dentistry or chiropractic. It is also expensive, and managing everything that has to integrate with your systems can be mind-blowing.
His answer is to stop being a solo buyer. The fastest thing a practitioner can do is become a group, and a group can be as small as two people. Shared technology, shared materials and what he calls dollar cost averaging on the purchases change the economics, and the synergy reaches the team and the patients too. The sweet spot might be two or three offices; his own group is moving to four. When a group forms, he said, all boats rise.
What the panel agrees on
- The highest-return technology is often the simplest: a recorded video that lets patients meet you before the appointment.
- Use technology to build trust and lower anxiety before the visit, not just to run the visit.
- Advanced tools are expensive alone. Even a two-practice group can share the cost and the capability.
- Buy on purpose. Every tool should either improve care or remove work from the team.
Independent practices. Stronger together.
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