Women's Health

FAQ: Guidance to Support OB/GYN Medical Practice Management

Answers to questions bout a wide range of medical practice management issues. Find support with talking to patients and making decisions about your business.

Good medical practice management involves not only knowledgeable patient care, but also an ability to keep up with the latest laws and best practices in your field. 

This collection of questions addresses a range of medical practice management concerns, from career planning and retirement to helping patients access clinical trials.

  1. Why is trust important in healthcare? Establishing trust in healthcare helps patients seek treatment and follow their physician's recommendations. When mistrust does occur, it can stem from a poor experience with an individual doctor or from a mistrust of the healthcare system as a whole. Find out more about what builds or breaks down trust and how you can use that knowledge to better communicate with your patients.
  2. How can physicians financially prepare for early retirement? Many physicians don't plan to retire before age 68. If you do want to retire early, you'll need to take some strong financial steps early on. Plus, private practice owners may want to plan ahead by understanding how to sell their business upon retirement. Here are some financial and medical practice management steps you can take to prepare for leaving your practice.
  3. How can OB/GYNs enhance their practice with pelvic floor resources? Many gynecology patients will experience a pelvic floor disorder at some point in their lifetime; ultrasound is a simple, cost-effective way to evaluate these conditions. That said, frequent travel for ultrasound training can add up for providers. Instead, try online courses to help grow these skills. Pelvic floor resources from leading industry organizations can help you train on your schedule.
  4. What are the international guidelines for confirming a nonviable pregnancy? Patients trying to conceive — especially with in vitro fertilization — can be anxious when it comes to determining viability. A transvaginal ultrasound following the latest guidelines helps ensure you get it right. Learn more about guidelines for confirming a nonviable pregnancy in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe, as well as how to talk to patients about next steps.
  5. How does the Right to Try Act help patients find treatment? The federal Right to Try Act and the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Expanded Access Program both aim to boost patients' access to drugs and devices that aren't yet FDA-approved. However, these do carry some regulatory and financial hurdles. Here's what you should know about these programs and how to counsel your patients about them.
  6. How can AI in ultrasound help clinicians? Artificial intelligence (AI) features in clinical decision support are being added to many ultrasound machines. These tools aim to help clinicians take measurements and enhance their interpretation of ultrasound findings. AI can also support a diagnosis by looping in findings from large datasets. Find out more about the role of AI in ultrasound for OB/GYNs.

Online resources can help you stay on top of what's happening in the field. As technology keeps changing, so does your understanding of diagnostic guidelines and available treatment options. The nature of practice and healthcare are ever-evolving, but these trusted resources can guide you and your practice.