Introduction: Good to Great

Medical excellence is easy to recognize but much more difficult to define. We can easily spot the leading successful physicians who are admired and respected by their peers and community leaders, and who are running busy and thriving practices. But how did they reach the pinnacle of their career? Just by taking good care of their patients and delivering the best care possible? No, that is a given for EVERY competent physician, not the differentiating factor. In fact, taking good care of patients is the easy part of clinical practice. The difficult part is the understanding and implementation of the business of medicine. So what makes a good clinician into a GREAT DOCTOR? We believe it is training and expertise in the business aspects of a medical practice.

We have been conducting a unique business course for Mayo Clinic residents to help prepare them for entering practice. Most medical schools and residency programs rarely offer anything but a superficial review for their physicians. In order to fill this gap in practical knowledge, we feel there is a need for a practical guide for all physicians who are starting out in practice or have been in practice but do not feel they have the “business” smarts to be one of the more successful physicians in the community.

This medical manual is meant to be read not only as an introduction to practice management but also as a reference guide. Just as you carried your Merck Manuals or specialty manuals in your coat pockets during training, this manual should sit on your desk for daily use.