The path to success for an entrepreneur is filled with many obstacles, but technology shouldn’t be one of them!

Yet, business technology challenges frequently stop talented doctors and clinicians from pursuing the vast potential of virtual healthcare. 

If you’re frustrated by technology hurdles of your own, I’m here to tell you that technology doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s possible to implement a simple, easy technology system to embrace the world of virtual healthcare and everything it has to offer. 

How Do Most Practice Owners View Business Technology Challenges? How Should They View Them?

Did you know that billions of dollars were invested into healthcare tech last quarter? Technology isn’t just a fad in the healthcare industry; it’s forever revolutionizing the way we help, support, and communicate with others. 

So while some practice owners view technology challenges as brick walls or headaches, they should actually be interpreted as opportunities. According to Moore’s Law, technology provides exponentially increasing capabilities that are easier and more affordable to leverage year after year. 

What does this mean for you, the practice owner? It means you can automate systems and strategies that allow your business to grow rapidly. It means you can achieve more success with less effort and finally take the time to travel with your family or take a day off. It means you can finally create true freedom, not just imagine it. 

Why Are Tech Hurdles One of the Biggest Downfalls for Aspiring Practice Owners?

Despite the incredible potential of technology to transform your company (and your life!), business technology challenges continue to rank among the biggest downfalls for aspiring practice owners.

Some hopeful practice owners assume that they’ll fact just as many tech hurdles in the future as they did in the past. Others don’t consider technology as part of their job description, and they’re annoyed by the intrusion. I also talk to many doctors who feel too overwhelmed by the demands of technology to even begin. 

But the value of technology is undeniable. A 2020 survey by OvationLab revealed that practices embracing membership or bundled service practice models maintained a 0% closure rate. This is a favorable comparison to a Physicians Foundation survey that showed 8% of physicians had closed their practice as a result of COVID-19.

This is exactly why I’m here to help you identify how to smash through technology hurdles that stand in the way of growing a thriving virtual practice.  

4 Biggest Tech Challenges and How to Overcome Them

After working with doctors and practitioners for so many years, I’ve come to identify the four biggest technology challenges they face… and more importantly, how to overcome them!

Choosing Software

With hundreds of options to consider, finding the best software for your practice may feel like a daunting task. You want to find the right fit and stick with it, so I recommend these strategies during the selection process:

• Identify your “must-have” features to narrow down options
• Ask a tech-savvy member of your team to review software choices
• Use team input to make the best decision

Automation

Automation connects all technological puzzle pieces together to create a self-managing system. When done properly, automation allows you to step away for a day, week, or month without missing a beat. It’s the key to residual income in a virtual practice. 

As the most important element of virtual technology, this is also the one that feels most daunting to achieve. Here’s the secret to mastering automation:

• First, document your processes step-by-step
• Master the process manually
• Find a trusted professional to guide you through the automated process

This is exactly what I do for doctors each and every day; it’s my passion to help your practice thrive using the powers of automation. 

Patient Management

Patient management poses another huge technology challenge… unless you know how to tackle it. Scheduling, appointment reminders, emails, and patient support are complicated and time-consuming, but they’re also the backbone of your practice.

Overcomplicating your patient management system leads to overwhelm and inaction, so I always recommend starting small. Conquer each step before moving to the next. 

Marketing Technology

It’s easy to fall down the marketing rabbit hole. Avoid this pitfall by prioritizing your goals and starting out simple.  

Marketing technology includes everything from Facebook and Instagram to podcasts and websites. Streamline your marketing strategies with this process:

• Start simple by marketing on other people’s stages and connecting with their audiences
• Expand to more complicated marketing initiatives with the help of guidance you can trust
• Identify where your niche “hangs out” and focus your efforts there

You don’t need a thousand pieces of technology to build a thriving virtual practice; you just need to effectively use a few core technology assets. 

At HEA, we recommend a technology package with very low overhead that’s time-tested to deliver results. In fact, our tech pack has been used by doctors to build six- and seven-figure businesses! It doesn’t have to be expensive to get started, as long as you’re strategic.