Are you worried about the financial stability of your medical practice? Merritt, Hawkins and Associates’ 2008 survey of primary care physicians revealed that 73% of physicians who participated in the survey described the financial stability of their practices as “mixed,” “shaky,” or “poor.”[1]  Why do so many physicians have such a dismal economic outlook about their practices?  For one thing, the poor economy has decreased people’s ability to pay for healthcare, whether they are insured or uninsured.  Therefore, patients are visiting their doctors less – even for annual check-ups or important screenings like mammograms. In addition, rising operating costs and declining reimbursements add to the difficulty of building a financially successful practice.  Given these economic realities, the days when physicians could just rely on referrals and insurance provider directories to acquire new patients and grow their practices are over.    If your patient load is dwindling, it is time to actively market your practice to attract new patients.  And what better way to reach new patients than through the Internet?  An online presence – that you control – will give you the ability to market your practice to a wider range of prospective patients.  Besides the Internet is one of the most popular ways to gather information about services.  Unlike a yellow page listing or entry in a provider directory, a Web site can provide more in-depth information about your practice.  It will give prospective patients a clear understanding of who you are and what your practice has to offer.  This will put you above your competitors especially if they do not have a Web site of their own.  Your Web site can also act as a resource that visitors turn to for important information about medical conditions, preventive medicine, treatment options, and medications.  By creating a medical resource for visitors, you are increasing the likelihood that they will continue to visit your site and make an appointment with your office when they are in need of care.  Creating and maintaining a Web site that attracts prospective patients requires time, know-how, and long-term attention.  So it is worth the investment to assemble a creative team to develop your site.  As a professional copywriter who specializes in writing marketing materials, I can write the content for your Web site.  I can also develop newsletters, fact sheets, brochures, and other promotional materials.  Don’t let this economic downturn jeopardize the practice that you have worked so hard to make successful.  Start marketing your practice today to acquire new patients and gain financial stability. [1] Source of information: Physicians Practice, 2009 Market and Circulation Overview, http://www.physicianspractice.com/files/pdfs/BGMarketCirculation.pdf (accessed July 8, 2009)