Medical professionals are some of the most sought-after workers in the world. In addition to their years of schooling and on-the-job training, they offer a level of expertise and experience that is unparalleled. So it’s no wonder that many medical professionals are looking for business ideas that will help them capitalize on their skills and knowledge. If you’re a medical professional who is looking for ways to start your own business, here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Start a medical consulting business
Many medical professionals, especially those with board certifications or advanced degrees, find themselves in the enviable position of having options. When you’re fully trained and qualified to do more than one thing, it’s difficult to pigeonhole yourself into just doing one thing. Rather than limit yourself by only focusing on your area of expertise, consider offering your services as a consultant to other medical professionals, research boards, or even in a nursing home. As a healthcare consultant, you will be able to take advantage of your broad range of knowledge by helping others solve problems, work through issues or consider new approaches within their businesses.
2. Start an online business
This may seem like an obvious option considering that most businesses are created and run online today. But don’t forget the power behind your medical expertise! Take advantage of it by putting together a blog or podcast about an area of medicine that interests you, writing informative e-books on topics within your specialty, or starting an online video channel on YouTube with quick informational videos. Of course, if you are more inclined to use social media sites to develop a following, you can also start up your own Facebook or Twitter page and share information as well as engage with other specialists within your particular area of expertise.
3. Start a mobile business
The medical profession is not limited to brick-and-mortar buildings, so take advantage of the growing trend toward mobile health care services. Mobile dentists, therapists, and even medical equipment services are a great way to get your business out there while helping others at the same time.
4. Start a general practice
For healthcare professionals who do not have advanced degrees or specializations, starting a general practice can be a lucrative option for earning an income from your medical training. Since many patients are looking for primary care physicians who will be their family doctors, you can fill that role while also helping treat less serious medical problems. You may even want to network with other generalists in order to refer to your more complicated cases.
5. Create an online course on medical topics
Another idea for medical professionals who aren’t interested in having their own practice is to take advantage of the educational opportunities that exist. If you’re an expert in a particular area of medicine, consider creating and delivering an online course that provides lessons in business and marketing. You could also go back and get another degree or certification in a completely different field of medicine that would allow you to expand your business opportunities.
6. Develop mobile apps for doctors or patients
For medical professionals looking for business ideas that are still within the field of medicine, consider developing mobile apps or websites that can be used by other doctors or patients. You could develop apps for use with electronic devices like smartphones and tablets in order to make medical information more easily accessible. There is also an increasing need for healthcare providers to educate their patients, so consider creating apps or websites that would help do just that.
7. Go into sales
Do you have the ability to sell almost anything? If you can work your medical expertise into a sales function, you could end up with some interesting opportunities in marketing and advertising for pharmaceutical companies if not other related businesses. You’ll need to have a strong personality in order to be successful, but there are always positions available for sales representatives with the right skills and experience.
8. Open a home health care business
This is a growing industry that many medical professionals are entering. Since more people are being treated at home, you can take advantage of the need for health care assistants by opening your own business. You could even work with an existing agency if you want to avoid the initial investment cost involved in starting your own company. Of course, this business idea will require that you be certified and trained either as a nurse or other medical assistant.
Medical professionals can find many business opportunities in their field without having to leave the medical profession. The 8 ideas we’ve listed should give you a few more options for how you can turn your skills and knowledge into revenue streams.
