So many handpieces, so little time, room, money and patients…
Every practice struggles with bringing on new capital equipment to introduce to patients. With so many devices on the market, it’s a minefield to figure out what technologies are the best fit for your practice and what the real return on investment (ROI) will be.
In addition to safety and efficacy, investigate the reliability and consistency of the technology. A proven track record of delivering good results and manageable discomfort and costs are a big plus. Investing only in system that have good clinical data and provide visible results that last will help to avoid patient complaints.
Consider whether the device you are considering can be used to treat a new category of patients, rather than just offering a new variation on an existing category of patients already being treated for the same condition. Investigate devices that are versatile, with new components, and to do something that you don’t already offer to differentiate your practice from competitors.
Think about who your current patients are and if there is another target you have set your sights on. For example, younger patients (age 21- 39) are most concerned with active acne, acne scars, pigment pores, hair removal, and fat reduction. Patients 40 and up are interested in maintenance and reversing the signs of aging, in terms of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, laxity, photodamage, veins and vessels and fat reduction. Vaginal rejuvenation has emerged as another must have if you have a large portion of female patients. Body shaping and browns and reds tends to skew across the board, including both genders. Tattoo removal is more niche and may not fit into every practice.
6 questions to consider before making a decision:
- What is missing from your current offering – unmet needs?
- What treatments are patients asking for – patient demand?
- What treatments are necessary to add to remain competitive in the market – competitive analysis?
- What existing technology needs an upgrade – service offering review?
- What do you have but don’t use that could be sold or traded in for something better – technology analysis?
- Who can do the treatments in your practice – MD, RN, PA, MA, how much staff time?
