As a physician, you’ve spent years, if not decades honing your craft.

You’ve spent that time acquiring knowledge and developing the skills necessary to provide exceptional care to your patients.

However, succeeding as a private practice requires more than clinical expertise.

It requires doing something that strikes fear into the heart of anyone who has ever been asked to mingle: networking.

Jokes aside, the art of building and nurturing professional relationships (or networking), is the lifeblood of a thriving practice. A strong network helps you identify opportunities, gain insights, and find solutions to the challenges you’re facing in day-to-day operations.

Unfortunately it’s often viewed through a negative lens. In this post, we’re here to change all that. We’ll talk through how to approach networking so that it becomes a powerful tool to build and grow your practice rather than a chore.

Networking doesn’t have to be painful

Someone says “networking” and you’re likely to picture handshaking, swapping business cards, and quid pro quo promises and exchanges.

Fortunately, real actual networking looks nothing like that except for maybe a few business cards.

Instead, think of networking as the strategic process of building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships with fellow physicians, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders.

It means connecting with others who share your passion for medicine which is a win-win for everyone involved. Together, everyone gets the opportunity to expand their knowledge, stay up-to-date with the latest advancements, and discover new avenues for growth.

Developing a Networking Strategy

Since networking is a strategic process, you should first start with building the strategy.

Start by identifying your networking goals. That might include any number of things, such as finding mentors, collaborating on research projects, or expanding your referral network.

Once you have a clear vision, it’s time to understand your unique value proposition. Ask questions of yourself and your practice such as:

• What are my core strengths and specialties?
• What are the unique needs and challenges of my target patient population?
• What do I want to be known for in my community?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors in my area?
• What values and philosophies guide my practice?

By understanding your own value, you can more effectively target the right networking opportunities and build meaningful connections with those who can benefit from your expertise.

Building Relationships Online

Networking doesn’t necessarily require flying around the country to different events and workshops (though it could be if you wanted).

Online communities exist around the web with the likes of Sermo, Doximity, and of course, LinkedIn. Make some time each week to engage in online communities and forums related to your specialty. Share your own insights and experiences as well as ask others for theirs.

There are conversations happening on these networks at literally every minute. This means all the more opportunities to connect with colleagues, share your expertise, and stay informed about industry trends.

The secret to successful networking online is consistently showing up and thoughtfully adding to the conversation.

Networking in Person

While online networking is valuable, nothing quite replaces the power of face-to-face interactions.

There are any number of industry events, conferences, and local healthcare community gatherings you could attend and meet fellow physicians, learn from their experiences, and build lasting relationships.

For instance, conferences like the American Urological Association’s Annual Meeting allows you to expand your knowledge, skills, and connections in a short period of time. They’re the perfect environment to grow your career. The AUA as well as the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) both do small regional meetings once a year.

Joining professional organizations and associations in your field can similarly provide access to more exclusive, smaller networking events and resources.

Since there are so many options, focus on conferences within your specialty and any that are covering an aspect of your practice that you’re looking to work on (eg. improving patient experience.)

If you’re looking for a good place to start, menMD supports Regional Interest Group (RIG) meetings throughout the year for our provider network, such as the Greater Houston Sexual Medicine RIG. We were grateful for the opportunity to support them in October, 2023 and we look forward to supporting more interest group meetings in the future.

We have an upcoming RIG meeting in the Boston area this August. If you’re interested, please reach out to Chelsea Sharp about joining us there.

While collecting business cards might occur, remember one thing: it’s about engaging in meaningful conversations. That includes asking questions and finding ways to support and learn from one another.

Then, remember to follow up. Perhaps send them a message or set some time in the near future to chat further.

Nurturing your network and beyond

Ever have a “friend” you never hear from except when they need a favor? That’s exactly the approach we don’t want to take in any networking efforts. Strong relationships are built with consistency over time.

Regular communication with your network doesn’t have to take a huge investment of time. Perhaps it’s sharing a relevant article you come across, commenting on their posts, or reaching out for advice. Networking doesn’t always have to be strictly professional. Sharing personal updates, hobbies, or interests makes it feel a lot less cold of an interaction.

Remember to be generous with your own knowledge and resources as well. This could mean providing feedback on a colleague’s research paper, offering guidance to a fellow physician who’s navigating a challenging patient case, or simply being a sounding board for someone who’s considering a career move.

When you consistently show up for your network, you demonstrate your value as a connection and build trust over time. This genuine approach to relationship-building is far more effective than only reaching out when you need something.

As your network grows, it’s important to revisit your strategy and see if you’re reaching your goals. Are you connecting with the right individuals who share your values? Are your relationships leading to new opportunities for collaboration, referrals, or professional growth?

Regularly assess the impact of your networking activities on your practice and career, and adjust your strategy as needed.

Conclusion

Networking for physicians especially those with a private practice is not a luxury.

It’s a necessity. It ensures access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities that can help you thrive in your career and provide better care to your patients.

At its core, successful networking relies on consistency, authenticity, and a genuine desire to build relationships.

By making regular communication a priority and approaching your network with a spirit of generosity, you’ll cultivate a strong, supportive community that will serve you well throughout your career as a physician.