Running a successful clinical practice as a complementary medicine practitioner

Congratulations! You’ve just graduated from your degree. All the hard work - countless hours of study, lectures and clinical practice. The sacrifices, challenges and hardships you’ve had to overcome that led to this moment.

Now you’re ready for the world - to improve the health of your community and make a positive impact on the globe.

What this is going to take, summarised in one word - ‘entrepreneurship’.

My name is Ahil Ganesan. I’m a Naturopath, Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. I’m also an alumni of Endeavour College of Natural Health and Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Since 2018 I have run a successful private practice in Alexandria, Sydney, worked in community clinics, as a tertiary clinic supervisor and alongside large corporate organisations. In this article I will share my journey, tips and lessons in the hope that students and graduates will have prosperous and successful careers in the natural medicine field.

Skills required to be a successful practitioner

There are two essential skills required to be a successful practitioner: 1. Clinic skills (your knowledge base and ability to get patients results) and 2. Business skills (marketing, advertising, website etc.)

In Australia, if we wish to be a clinician we can receive a salary, rent a space, work on commission or run our own business. However, either way we will have to be entrepreneurs and ultimately the ones responsible for our success. As students we learn the theory of building a business and now its time to put these teachings into action.

Once you graduate and have a clinic space the real work begins. This is a journey that can be challenging, but with the right guidance and support can be met with ease and joy. These are my 5 key tips for success based on my experience:

Treat lots of patients and observe lots of cases:

I was lucky enough to work at an Acupuncture community clinic (Ray Ford’s Experience Acupuncture Bondi) for 2 years immediately after graduation. Treating up to 25 patients per day, I was able to hone my skills very quickly. Observing practitioners is another way to achieve this- seeing how they operate, their bedside manner and how they approach treating patients.

Stay connected to your profession:

As a student, you’re given a solid educational and clinical foundation to build upon. Now it’s time to develop this. Traditionally, medicine was taught in a master-disciple relationship. Today, formal education provides an important foundation for entering the profession, while ongoing mentorship in both clinical and business aspects can also be valuable as you continue to develop as a practitioner. Find someone you resonate with, a practitioner who’s practice is the goal you envision. Ask them if you can do some observation or reach out to ask them questions when you are stuck. Asking for help from people who have achieved your vision is a powerful tool for practitioner (and patient) success.

Use your time efficiently:

Be at your clinic space whether you have 1 patient or 20 patients. When you’re with patients, be 100% present. When going through a quieter period work on your business- marketing, advertising, writing articles, reading books or research. I have teachers who have been practicing for over 40 years and treat over 100 patients per week. Here and there they might have a quiet period but guess what- they’ll be there regardless of how many people there are in the appointment book.

Take good care of yourself:

Eating healthy, having a balanced lifestyle and health practices (meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi etc.) are essential to keep yourself strong, healthy and clear minded. This is the equivalent of when you’re on a flight and the attendant tells you “Put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping others.”

Put your heart and soul into helping every patient:

If there is one thing you take away from this article, let it be this. “Put your heart and soul into helping every patient.” You doing your best to look after every patient- doing the research, taking your time and getting your patients results. Your skills will improve and these patients will refer people to you and grow your business’ word of mouth (the best business tool of all time).

Building a practice is a journey. Over time, through experimentation you will find what is right for you and achieve your success. Your teachers and colleagues are here to lend a helping hand when you need it and there are patients waiting for you to start your practice. Wishing you success and prosperity in your practice.

About the author:

Ahil Ganesan, a Naturopath, Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner with over eight years of clinical experience. Ahil graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) from Endeavour College in 2017. Since then, he has built his own private practice, worked in busy community clinics and supported students as a clinical supervisor.

Website: https://ahilnaturopath.com/about/