MEET DR. DAWN

For as long as she can remember, Dr. Dawn knew she wanted to help people. She grew up dreaming of becoming a pediatrician. However, while in undergraduate school she was introduced to pediatric audiology; she immediately knew she found her true calling.

Dr. Dawn gained experience while working as the lead audiologist in the hospital setting.  She also received valuable insight regarding production, marketing and billing. As a new mother in need of time and flexibility, Dr. Dawn felt she could best accomplish this by starting her own private practice.    

WHAT SHE KNOWS NOW

“Unbundling” is productive for all types of audiology practices, even in hospital settings. Audiology departments will close if they cannot prove that they are sustainable and profitable.

Just because you “unbundle” doesn’t mean you have to stray away from the bundled option completely. Dr. Dawn reminds us that we can never assume we know what our patient expects to spend. Some patients will be interested in paying for their service now (bundled) and some will not be able to make the large up-front purchase and would be more interested in an unbundled option.

It’s all about making it work for the patient and their cash flow.

AUDIOLOGISTS AND OUR ISSUES DEMONSTRATING OUR VALUE

This may be a sweeping generalization but I am going to put it out there since an overwhelming number of audiologists are women. By nature, as women we are nurturers.  So many of us went to school to help people; we didn’t get into the field to demand payment. I laughed when Dr. Dawn mentioned her support staff and how she, like me, is uncomfortable asking for payment after service. It makes sense! Our job is to help people hear, not negotiate payment!

Dr. Dawn reminds us of the dentists’ model. Does your dentist walk you up to the front desk to discuss payment with you? Probably not. Her staff asks for the fee for service as the dentist moves on to her next patient.

DR. DAWNS ONE TIP FOR YOU

Before you “unbundle” you need to be in the right headspace. You need to understand your worth in regards to time and service. Self-help books can be a great start to give you the confidence you need to take that first step. We discussed authors such as Brene Brown and Rachel Hollis – Girl, Stop Apologizing which can be found on Amazon or the Audible App.

Just because you are helping someone doesn’t mean your invaluable. We can all find strength and encouragement in Dr. Dawn’s interview today. With her grit and determination, she did what she felt she needed to do during this season as an audiologist.

Our profession has given away way too much, and it needs to stop. We change lives and we need to be reminded of that.

Dr. Dawn is someone who thinks outside the box. During this podcast she mentions other successful fee for service models that dentists are currently using. Talking to Dr. Dawn for the first time was incredible and inspiring. I am excited for you to tune into the full episode and hear her helpful advice for unbundling your practice and demonstrating your worth. Tune in on the player above!

Connect with Dr. Dawn:

Hit Subscribe Here: Dr. Dawn’s YouTube Channel

Hit Follow Here:  @hearing_dr_dawn

Chat with Dr. Dawn Here: EntreAudiology

www.HearingDrDawn.com