Adding weight loss services and your practice

There are several good reasons you may want to think about expanding the scope of your practice to include a weight loss program or nutritional counseling—the most important being the potential benefit to your patients.

What’s the point?

If you can help someone experience less pain by providing the information and tools necessary to lose weight, you are providing outstanding care. Additionally, it can likely open a new revenue stream for your business.

Current patients already trust your advice and care, which makes them good candidates for a new program. Plus, a weight loss program could differentiate your practice and attract new patients. You may also find that adding a weight loss component to your practice will bring you more referrals.

What’s the first step?

Adding any new service requires careful planning and research. You will first need to determine exactly what regulations exist in your state. You may need or want to take some classes to refresh your knowledge of nutrition, exercise, and weight loss, as well.

There are various ways a new program can be planned and structured. You may simply want to provide literature to your patients that explains the key principles to good nutrition, exercise, and optimal health. Alternatively, you may prefer building a tailored nutrition and exercise program for each of your patients. You may also be able to partner with other service providers in your area such as personal trainers, gyms, and yoga studios.

What do I need?

Once you decide how robust you’d like the program to be, you can go about designing the various pieces. Here are just a few of the things you’ll need to consider:

• Decide how, where, and to whom you’ll market the new program.
• Purchase any equipment you may need.
• Network with other people you’d like to involve.
• Choose a start date.
• Schedule any classes you want to take.
• Decide what you will charge for the new services.

Adding a program to help patients lose weight could offer many benefits, for both your practice and your patients. Spending plenty of time researching and planning will give you the best chance for creating and promoting a successful program that helps patients, and improves your business.