MemberFeature MyPractice
We’recommittedtohelpingadvanceourmembersintheirprivatepractices, whethertheyareestablishedorjuststartingout.Weaimtocelebratethe achievementsofmembersbyhighlightingtheirworkinTheNSWDoctor.
Eacheditionfeaturesselect membersinprivatepractice, offeringaplatformtoshowcase theiruniqueapproaches,learnings andsuccessstories.
Bysharingtheirstories, challenges,andtriumphsweaimto encourageknowledge-sharing whilealsoprovidingmemberswith well-deservedrecognitionfortheir contributionstotheprofession InthiseditionwehighlightDr AkalyaMahendran, Gastroenterologistand Hepatologist,andvaluedAMA (NSW)Councillorandmember.
DrMahendranFoundedthe SydneyGastroenterologyCollective
inSydney’sInnerWestinJune 2023 TheCollectiveisacollegial modernspecialityservicewhich pridesitselfonhighquality evidencebasedcare,accessibility andkindness DrMahendranis passionateaboutholisticpatient focusedcare
Whatwasyourvisionforstarting aprivatepractice?
Iwantedtostartapracticebased aroundmypersonalityandhowI deliverhealthcare Ithrivemoston theunderstandingthatevery patientisanindividual,whetherit’s thefirsttimeorthe300thtime you’veaddressedasimilar complaint Ialsowantedtocreate aflexiblepracticemodel;I’ma youngmumsoIwantedtobe mobileandaccessible,andI wantedtoexpandmypracticeto encourageotherpeoplewithyoung familiestojoin Therearefewer women,particularlyyoungwomen inmedicinewhoarestartingtheir ownbusinesssothatheavily influencedmyideas.
Whatwasthebiggestchallenge?
Marketinghasbeenthesinglemost challengingarea,becauseyou havetogooutthere,introduce yourself,sellyourselfandtell colleagueswhatyou’reabout You’vegottoconvincecolleagues thatyou’vebeentrainedwell,you knowwhatyou’redoing,andthey shouldtrusttheirpatientstoyour care.Youhavetoapproachother doctors,particularlyGPs,whoare alreadyreferringtoother gastroenterologists.So,the questionbecomeswhyyouand whynow Thatwasasteeplearning curveandIthinkmyconfidencein thatareahasincreasedoverthe last12months
Whathasbeenrewardingabout theprocess?
Ithinkpatientfeedbackisthe numberonepositivethatkeeps yougoing,itisalwaysasurprise whenitcomesbutitmakesitall worthit Youaretryingtoaddress thepatientsandtheirconcerns-if yousucceed,thenthat’sthe ultimategoal.
Dr Akalya Mahendran, Founder of Sydney Gastroenterology Collective
Strathfield Private Hospital, Sydney, SCG Rooms Photo credit: Brendan Reid
“Iwantedtostartapractice basedaroundmy personalityandhowI deliverhealthcare Ithrive mostontheunderstanding thateverypatientisan individual.”
Whatwouldyousaytoadoctor decidingwhethertostarttheirown practice?
Oneofthemostchallengingand rewardingpartsofitislearningthe businessofmedicine,whichweare nottaughtwell,orifatall,inthe publicsector.ThebestadviceI received,andwhatIwouldgive othersis,it’sworthwhileworkingat manypracticestounderstandthe differentmodelsthatpeopleworkin Getasmuchexposureasyoucan andknowthatsucceedingdoesn’t comequicklyorimmediately Ithas beenquitechallenging,especially beingearlyinmycareer,butitis
MY PRACTICE
definitelydoable I’mapaperless practicewhichIthinkisquite appropriatefor2024,andI’vefound thebusinessofmedicinevery fascinatingandaskillsetthatI’ve reallyenjoyedlearningabout
Hasprivatepracticemadelife easierforyouasaworkingparent?
Ithinkthereisaflexibilityinprivate practiceingeneral,youcandecide tohaveliststhatfinishlate,oryou havetheabilitytocontactpatients andsendemailsafterhourswhen thebabyisasleep That’snotunique toprivatepracticebutwhatI’ve foundis,becauseIhaveacloud basedmedicalsoftware,Icando myworkatanytimedayornight, whilealsoprovidingadequate patientcare 9-5isgreatand predictablehoweverlifeisnot predictablesothat’swhereIfound thathavingmyownpracticeis goodformylifeandsuitsthe differentchallengeswithhavinga child.
Whatisonesimplethingthatyou havelearntsinceowningyour practice?
It’sthatyouwillmakemistakesand don’tbeafraidofthat Don’tbe afraidofsayingsorry Startingup yourpracticeandgettingtothat fiveyeargoalisaslowprocess You’renotalwaystaking2steps forward;youarecontinuously makingmistakesandlearning.That canbequitedauntingbecauseyou aredoingthatonyourown,however itisdefinitelyworthpushingthrough becauseit’sjustpartofthelearning process.
Itisabalanceofensuringyou’re maintainingaprofessional specialistpracticeandensuring patientsarecomfortableand secureinyourcare Iamalsoopen withmypatientsaboutthefactthat Iamayoungmumandthatgives metheabilitytorelatetothemina positiveway.
AMA(NSW)islaunchingtheEmergingSpecialistNetwork.
TheEmergingSpecialistNetworkwill allowspecialiststomeetnew colleaguesandshareinformation andideasabouthowtosetupa privatepractice
Buildyourreferralnetworkand connectwithestablishedmembers whowillsharetheirinsightsinto buildingapractice
Hearandbenefitfromourinhouseexpertsandexclusive commercialpartnerswhowillhelp equipmemberswiththeknowledge
andtoolstoestablishthemselvesin privatepractice-fromthebasicsof business,medicareandbilling solutionstoindemnity,cyberand liabilityinsurance
TheEmergingSpecialistNetwork willbeyouronestopshopasyou transitionintothisexcitingnew phaseofyourcareer
Toexpressyourinterestin thenetwork,pleaseemail events@amansw.com.au
