How can a Podiatrist add value and increase revenue?

Adding value to your clients and ensuring a side stream revenue in your clinic can be achieved through various strategies.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Podiatrically designed shoes: Offering podiatrically designed shoes can be beneficial to your patients, especially if they require specific footwear for their foot conditions or post-treatment care. These shoes can provide comfort, support, and promote proper foot alignment.
2. Additional revenue streams: In addition to selling specialized shoes, consider offering related products or services that align with your clinic's focus. For example, you could provide orthotic insoles, foot care products, or specialized socks. These items can generate additional revenue while complementing your core services.
3. Partnerships with suppliers: Collaborate with suppliers or manufacturers of wellness footwear to establish a mutually beneficial partnership. This can lead to exclusive deals, discounts, or customized products tailored to your clinic's needs. Building strong relationships with reliable suppliers can help you provide high-quality products to your clients.
4. Education and awareness: Enhance the value you provide by educating your clients about foot health and the importance of proper footwear. Offer informational resources, workshops, or seminars to educate your clients on foot care, foot conditions, and the benefits of specialized shoes. This positions your clinic as a trusted authority and can lead to increased customer loyalty.
5. Online presence and e-commerce: Establish an online presence through a website or social media platforms. This allows you to showcase your products, provide educational content, and engage with potential clients. Consider setting up an e-commerce platform to sell your specialized shoes and related products online, enabling a wider customer reach and potential revenue growth.

Do your homework.

Remember to gather feedback from your existing clients to evaluate their interest and willingness to purchase specialized shoes. Conduct market research to understand your target audience's preferences, price sensitivity, and demand. This information will help you make informed decisions and determine whether adding specialized shoes to your clinic can truly add value and generate revenue.

Incentivise your customer service staff.

You could even take this opportunity further with a staff an incentive program. This may assist in gaining their interest and participation. We have a clinic who has introduced a $20 bonus for each pair of shoes sold and a $5 bonus for each pair of ortho inserts sold. Bonuses also encourage staff to learn about the product and efficiently take the patient through the process of fitting and deciding on which shoes suit them best for the function they are needed.  Any extra time podiatrists can gain back for the business where they can be seeing the next patient is a win win situation.

Custom-made alternatives

What about those patients that really need an orthotic device custom made? But they may not be able to afford them immediately, or in some cases, at all.

Taking an off the shelf device and adding a modification where needed can give the patient immediate relief without the price tag. This builds trust and shows compassion and care.

More reading: Do I need orthotics? – Harvard Health

note: Wellness Footwear does not diagnose foot injuries and foot health. Please see your podiatrist for appropriate treatment for you.