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DoctorDemographics Podcast

257 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratings

This is an audio podcast targeting doctors, medical and dental students as well as small business owners/consultants who want to consider where to put practices within the United States and how to promote them. We will discuss growth, demographic character, psychographic profiles, competition saturation, and economic development. Additionally, we will deal with the research indicating media, messages, promotions, and strategies to build and enhance a patient base.

The Podcast is hosted by Scott McDonald, the leading analyst of practice sites and professional practice marketing in the nation.

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Episodes

5 Practice Location Options in the Southeast US

October 25, 2023 18:28 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MB

In this episode, Mike Green goes over 5 great areas to place your practice in the Southeast area of the United States. 

The Site Selection Process for Doctors

October 13, 2023 16:33 - 16 minutes - 22 MB

Are you a doctor looking to establish a new practice but feeling overwhelmed by the location selection process? Join us in this insightful topic as we delve into the intricate process of selecting the ideal practice site. We address common misconceptions and guide you through essential steps that can significantly impact the success of your practice. Discover why starting with the big picture is crucial and learn how to find a location that aligns with your specific practice type. We empha...

The Pros and Cons of Opening a Practice in Florida

October 04, 2023 19:42 - 14 minutes - 19.9 MB

In this episode, we look at the pros and cons of opening a new professional practice in the great state of Florida. 

Opening a Practice in Texas Pros and Cons | Doctor Demographics

September 27, 2023 21:33 - 13 minutes - 18.9 MB

🎙️ Welcome to another episode of "The Perfect Place to Put a Practice Podcast and our special Pros and Cons series" by Doctor Demographics! Hosted by Mike Green, today's episode delves into a topic crucial for both new and seasoned doctors: opening a new professional practice in Texas in 2024. 🏥 First, we explore the pros of starting a practice in the Lone Star State: 1️⃣ Booming Population Growth: Texas is experiencing remarkable population growth, offering a golden opportunity for aspiri...

Pros and Cons of Opening a Professional Practice in Southern California

September 19, 2023 16:56 - 9 minutes - 13.6 MB

Join Mike Green, a seasoned expert from Doctor Demographics, in this informative episode as he explores the top pros and cons of venturing into a new professional practice, encompassing Dental, Medical, Optometry, and Veterinary fields in vibrant Southern California. Whether you're contemplating a new venture in 2024 or beyond, this episode is an invaluable resource. Discover the enticing opportunities that Southern California presents, along with the challenges one might face when starting ...

Places with Promise

August 23, 2023 17:56 - 17 minutes - 23.5 MB

Join us in this insightful episode of "Places with Promise" as your host, Scott McDonald, takes you on a journey through a carefully curated list of promising places and locations for establishing your very own professional practice. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner looking to expand or someone just starting in the industry, choosing the right location can significantly impact the growth and success of your practice. Scott McDonald, a seasoned expert in demographics and location anal...

Kiss of Death Locations for 2023

August 02, 2023 17:24 - 17 minutes - 23.9 MB

Its that time of the year where we do our annual 'Kiss of Death Private Practice Locations' analysis for the next year. These are the areas of the country that are not doing very well or have some external forces (environmental or economic typically) fighting against you. If your area made the list, don't dismay. A little more elbow grease may be required to be successful. 

The Importance of Personal Interaction In Your Practice

July 05, 2023 15:25 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MB

There is a plague of loneliness occurring in America, especially among men. Since the pandemic, it seems we have lost our ability to make friends and this is resulting in harm to practices and their owners.  This episode deals with the building of relationships and friendships.   It is about the nexus of demographics and psychographics for doctors.

The Future of Demographics and what it means for your practice

June 22, 2023 17:10 - 12 minutes - 17 MB

These past few years have been nothing short of a significant shift in demographics. Everything we thought we knew about urban and rural demographics, family dynamics, and politics is being redefined rapidly.  In this episode, Scott McDonald discusses what we see on the demographic playing field and how it will impact practice owners. 

How Race and Culture Impact Your Practice Strategy

June 15, 2023 22:41 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MB

Race is a very sensitive topic these days so before I publish my remarks, I would like to make some comments. All races and cultures deserve respect.  There is never a cause to violify one culture over another. More important race, and culture are more important to heed. In my post, I said that I feared the Academy Awards may be putting too much attention on race rather than on producing quality art.    I also believe that people will have more favorable outcomes when they know what they...

Sites with SERIOUS POTENTIAL for Doctors

June 09, 2023 16:56 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MB

Let's face it, some sites are better than others. Here are some insider tips for what we are seeing in the marketplace.

Key Elements for Practice Site Selection

June 02, 2023 18:13 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MB

I just had a debate with another demographer over the criteria of what makes a GREAT location for professional practice. We could NOT have been further apart. My colleague was adamant in this opinion that things are perfectly fine. Urban areas are flush with money. Crime statistics are overstated. Besides, crime is not really an issue in urban healthcare settings. If proper security is applied to prescription pads and controlled substances, things are about the same as they have ever been (h...

Why Some Areas of the Country Just Won't Grow

May 23, 2023 21:56 - 16 minutes - 22.9 MB

In today's episode, Scott McDonald from Doctor Demographics discusses why some areas of the country just won't grow. It seems that the nation is putting obstacles in its way that make progress and advancement as a nation more difficult and unsure. For example, the administration seems to have no plan to deal with the waves of aliens expected this week. They seem unprepared for the energy crisis on our doorstep.  There seems to be no plan to handle increased violent crime in our cities. Ame...

Finding the Right Practice Site: The Importance of Growth and Viability with DoctorDemographics.com

May 10, 2023 04:05 - 14 minutes - 20.5 MB

One of the measures of the worth and viability of a practice site is simply this: Is it growing enough? By many measures, America overall is NOT growing enough. That includes population, income, property values, and sustainability. It is certainly possible to be lulled into a state of hopelessness. But this doesn't have to be your future, www.DoctorDemographics.com is available to research the sites that give you the kind of practice value you are looking for. It isn't about finding people...

Why Is California Dying for Professional Practice Owners

April 25, 2023 21:10 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MB

Will the news ever get any better for doing business in California? In this episode, Scott McDonald goes over what will need to happen for doctors.

Demographics & Religiosity | Doctor Demographics

April 20, 2023 14:42 - 15 minutes - 21.9 MB

If you are looking for a location with children or teens, this is an ideal method. As the birth rate drops, this is is really proving a great predictive method of research.

The Two Step Model- A Foundational Model in Establishing a New Practice Image

April 12, 2023 15:52 - 13 minutes - 18.9 MB

It is one thing to find a desirable location to start up or purchase a practice. It is quite another thing to create an enduring practice brand. The Two-Step Model is a useful process to do this effectively and scientifically.  This episode is a follow-up to our episode on Framing Theory and Agenda Setting of a couple of weeks ago. The question is "How do you build credibility quickly and at a low-cost *and reasonable effort.  That is where the application of this theory really becomes usefu...

Urban Core Practices - Doctor Demographics

April 04, 2023 23:07 - 16 minutes - 22.9 MB

Demographers have been redefining the urban sites around the United States to try to find locations with growth and money that will offer a good return on the investment if they should they be sold. The term that they have started using is the "near urban core." It requires a little more marketing and management sophistication than average but the return on the practice is excellent. This episode explains more.   Almost all metropolitan areas have a "sweet spot" like this for professiona...

Will They Build?

March 28, 2023 19:56 - 14 minutes - 19.6 MB

When we are looking for favorable places to put a practice, we are often drawn to those sites that are allowing or encouraging growth, particularly those sites that are encouraging the construction of single family, owner occupied dwelling units. In some states (including California) this is becoming more expensive (assuming they are even possible.) Politicians don't like them for several reasons. They don't provide property taxes like apartment developments do and they are difficult to put ...

Competition Rate: How Many is Too Many?

March 15, 2023 04:01 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MB

This episode deals with the question of competition saturation. How many other general dentists (for example) should cause concern for a doctor considering putting a new office in a neighborhood? The real question is how closely the two offices match up in their definition of their marketing mix (product, place, price, and promotion?) Experience would suggest that unless they are exactly the same, there is no good reason to locate an office in another neighborhood just because there is anoth...

Boundaries and Targets of Demographics

March 07, 2023 22:20 - 32 minutes - 44 MB

When I first started doing demographic and site analysis reports for doctors nearly 40 years ago, the art and science of this analysis were still pretty primitive. Things have changed in fairly significant ways. This includes the ways that we drew practice boundaries and interpreted the data.  This session talks about one of the BIG changes that have occurred: Zip Code definitions and drive times. Another big change is the inclusion and interpretation of psychographics.   This is one of ...

Why Patients Choose You Over Your Competition

March 01, 2023 17:23 - 16 minutes - 22.4 MB

This week our episode deals with presenting the reasons the patient base should choose YOUR practice and how you can present the benefits of seeking can in a more persuasive manner. It is based upon tools we call Agenda Setting and Framing Theories and they are cutting-edge market research. They have been proven wildly effective in recent decades to help "move the needle" for healthcare practices to not only choose YOUR practice but to build a loyal and enthusiastic patient base. When you ...

5 Keys for Professional Practice Placement with Mike Green

February 25, 2023 19:30 - 38 minutes - 52.5 MB

Here is a recording of our Live Youtube stream where Mike Green talks about the 5 Keys for a Successful Practice Placement. He also answer a few live questions along the way from doctors who were on with us live. Want to join us for our next broadcast? We'll be live again next Friday at noon eastern on our YouTube channel found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxB3_hnovfETy3okc3yQudA 

The Key to Local Target Marketing for Your Practice

February 22, 2023 15:11 - 15 minutes - 20.7 MB

To REALLY meet the healthcare wants and needs of a population, it is necessary to know them well. Otherwise, you will spend time and effort on activities and advertising that won't work. This episode starts with the basic assumption that too many doctors believe the ideal patient base will look like they do (fit their demographic profile). Their unique point of view will be lost as providers carry out these assumptions without doing good research. The Marketing Report and Practice Site Via...

Should You Build a BIG Practice or Small?

February 14, 2023 22:57 - 11 minutes - 16.3 MB

There are two paths of development going on in the world right now. They are diverging. The first is localization. That suggests that systems are getting smaller and seem focused on businesses and practices that are smaller and more focused on people. Up until now, it appears we have been going toward more globalization. This is making systems (governments and institutions less responsive to people and individuals). For a long time, it seemed the level of complexity of customer service was d...

How Do US Doctors Compare to Other Countries?

February 08, 2023 01:02 - 21 minutes - 29.7 MB

What is the true potential of American healthcare when contrasted with Rival nations (such as China) which have been talking smack about the medical and dental programs in the U.S.? To be fair, the U.S. has been unrivaled in the world. By contrast, China (and others) have a great deal of political meddling get into their research and teaching. To make my case, we examine data on life expectancy to prove the point that the outcomes have been superior in the American system.

The Evolution of America's Cities and What It Means For Your Practice

January 26, 2023 16:47 - 20 minutes - 27.8 MB

Right before our eyes, America's cities are being reinvented and reimagined. They are not what we have seen before. This short episode shows just how America is changing. The Davos Economic Forum Predicted (and Mandated) that Americans would prefer one direction for America's future. It seems that we are heading in a new direction entirely. Doctors should be aware that places they want to practice in are diverging from what the ruling Elites have told us to expect (and demand).

Patient Attitudes and Demographics

January 17, 2023 21:53 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MB

We want to explore how there exists a cross-over between Desirable Demographics and the attitudes within a patient base to purchase healthcare.  This episode explores those demographic factors.  In fact, we have even included a partial list of some U.S. cities that demonstrate these factors so you can see what kinds of places we are talking about.   They are not the fastest growing places nor are they the most affluent but they represent a  solid and safe investment.

Practicing In Areas That Are Losing Population

January 11, 2023 04:27 - 11 minutes - 15.3 MB

It might be desirable to concentrate only on those locations that are growing when choosing a place to practice. Still, that isn't always the best choice. Some areas may not be increasing in size, but they have favorable demographics (such as employment, age, or income). The locations that are showing "out-migration" are the ones we see as having the most risk. Three of these were once growing but have reversed their trends.  These include Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.  This episode de...

Understanding Walkability for your Practice Location

January 04, 2023 05:37 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MB

This episode is about a rising trend in Healthcare Practice Locations. When I started Doctor Demographics, clients seemed obsessed with knowing the number of competing practices (and providers) in their neighborhood/ The demographic character of residents was not the important (according to them.) This has all changed, of course but as the costs of parking and site availability rose, another important factor emerged: Walkability. This term is growing in significance for several reasons. This...

Is 2023 the Right Year to Open a Practice?

December 28, 2022 18:10 - 19 minutes - 26.4 MB

We've been getting a lot of questions on whether or not 2023 will be a good year to open a practice. The answer is, as it often is, it depends. In this episode, Scott McDonald goes through what signs to look for in a particular area to know if it is good time or not for that location.

Hot Areas for New Practices in the West

December 07, 2022 13:23 - 23 minutes - 32.6 MB

I have not been publishing episodes on where to put a practice lately. But in my research, I have found two states that I have not discussed for a while that might be very promising given their favorable demographic character and extreme growth.  If someone was to ask me what are the two places in the U.S. that are emerging as places with low risk and high potential, I would mention Nevada (south and northwest) and Arizona (Pima and Maricopa Counties) as two of the best. Oddly, even though t...

The Realigning of America - Doctor Demographics

November 29, 2022 20:38 - 26 minutes - 35.9 MB

I had a little BrainStorm Session with my Demographic Colleagues about the Mid-Term Election. Most of us came to the same General Observations. One of the big takeaways is that experts should really be cautious about claiming to know a great deal about the future of demographics in the U.S., we just don't have all the answers we thought we had. That does not sound hopeful, but it is true. These very smart people noted that there were certain trends in current demographics that they would l...

Urban, Rural, and Suburban Practice Sites. What works for YOU? - Doctor Demographics

November 16, 2022 13:34 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MB

This episode has so much detail, we do not have a "Short Version." I had to be complete. I define the differences between these types of sites. In a nutshell, it is important to make the distinction early on that it is more than population size and growth rate. The rural sites are not necessarily more or less desirable. The biggest difference is in population density. Rural sites are more spread out. They have more homogeneity in their lifestyles, In each practice-community area, there are...

BEWARE Amateur Demographics

November 09, 2022 17:39 - 15 minutes - 163 MB Video

These episodes represent a word of caution regarding your source of demographic information on data and analysis. There are lots of amateur demographers who have entered the field recently. True, they may be well-meaning. These "newbies" are usually getting rehashed" data from a source within the Federal or State bureaucracy]that purports to tell you about changes in demographics.  It isn't necessarily true that the data is wrong. The biggest danger to doctors, consultants, and brokers is th...

Niche Practice Locations

November 02, 2022 13:02 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MB

As spaces for ideal practices become more difficult to locate (not to mention more crowded and expensive) finding a place that will serve all patient-bases is a growing challenge.  Rather than locate the perfect place, doctors are encouraged to create practices that will meet the needs of more "specialized and specific" market segments. Thus, it makes sense to consider a "niche" practice."   It is not so much that the doctors have to find an "edgy" approach to medicine and dentistry. The...

Big Lies About Competition Ratios

October 12, 2022 12:31 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MB

When examining the viability of a practice site, it is important to know how many competing providers (doctors) and practices there are.  That much seems obvious. But we also have to acknowledge who the REAL competitors are within a practice area. In the case of healthcare, you should be aware that not all doctors/practices are true competitors.  As an example, there is a significant difference in the range of procedures and equipment available among practices. A veterinarian may not treat a...

Is Practicing in Southern California a Dead Option?

August 23, 2022 11:00 - 27 minutes - 37.2 MB

Several Clients have mentioned that Southern California is not looking so good as the place to purchase or to start-up a practice. Back "in the day," growth (and glamour) seemed eternal in the five mega-counties found in the area (Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties). For the first time EVER, the area is losing population. Among demographers, this has been known as the "California Exodus." True, the birth rate has declined (it has lost at least one Congress...

Is New York City a Viable Option for Doctors?

August 09, 2022 11:39 - 38 minutes - 52.8 MB

We have been asked about the viability of New York City as a place to practice for a long time. We thought this might be a good time to clear the air and make a definitive statement on it right now. As the nation's largest city, it is certainly a viable option. Still, the City is losing (a little) a population of -0.3 % per year. From the standpoint of a very large and dynamic community, that is not bad. There are also indications that many of the people who left are going to come back. ...

Demographics and Politics Part 2

August 02, 2022 12:00 - 26 minutes - 37 MB

This is the second episode of the Politics and Demographics podcast.    Last week, we discussed the implications of how the Mid-Term Elections are going to affect doctors.  Our theme was on the House of Representatives (Congress) and some of the changes that are likely to occur.  This week we will consider what will likely change with a turnover, even by a single seat, in a 50-50 Senate.  Polling has shown that Americans (mostly young Americans) are going to be surprised and even alarmed...

Demographics and Politics Part 1

July 25, 2022 22:55 - 33 minutes - 45.3 MB

In this episode, I discuss the specific aspects of demographics that are causing all the craziness. And it is worth considering in some detail how folks seem to want to look at politics as a "blood sport." No, I don't discuss much the morality of choosing one side or another. Assigning blame is unwise. But it is true that if you are going to choose an area to purchase or start a practice, some places are going to look much better than others. Hey, that is my job. Right?

Practice Strategy for Race and Ethnicity

July 18, 2022 22:30 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MB

In this episode, we have taken a deep dive into two concepts that will determine your future practice success or failure. Please understand: They are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they are factors of potential that doctors must understand. Many people (including doctors and practice owners) do not grasp. Even our competitors are a little foggy about their meaning. The first is the difference and relationship between race and ethnicity. The viability of practice often (increasingly) depen...

The Hispanic Switcheroo

July 12, 2022 15:09 - 26 minutes - 37 MB

I only wish there was sufficient time to discuss all I have learned about the Hispanic population in a single episode. Nevertheless, I have created a long and short offering about Hispanics that will provide a little insight into these important groups of people. Not a day goes by that we don't hear about their immigration numbers. The Southern Border is being crossed into the United States by ever larger numbers and this may prove vital to your practice. Who are they? How do you reach them?...

Trends This Summer Doctors Should Know

June 28, 2022 19:47 - 24 minutes - 33.4 MB

During the course of my work I read many articles and journals that apply to healthcare practice demographics. Much of the time, demographers form a consensus on the big picture.  Often, these analysts and researchers can come to disagreements in their conclusions.  You would expect nothing less.  But to help our doctors, I have gleaned some factors that I think they should know to make wise decisions for their practices. This episode explains some of the take-aways that will help our practi...

Population Winners and Losers (and why)

June 21, 2022 10:00 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MB

In the last couple of weeks, I have been asked by subscribers to the Podcast for the locations that are winning and losing population. Rather than break them down by states, I have looked at the Metropolitan Areas that the U.S. Census Bureau has identified as those that are likely to grow or shrink.   It sometimes surprises them to see how much greater the loss to a densely populated area is relative to its growth.  To adequately describe the trends in population, we introduce the concep...

Practice Locations with Promise for 2023

June 08, 2022 16:10 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MB

Last week, we reviewed the "Places with the Kiss of Death."These are locations that I am strongly suggesting you NOT consider a start-up practice or a practice purchase.  My reasoning is based upon the fact that their demographics are not looking particularly promising.   This week, we are looking at sites in the United States that are looking more hopeful.  These locations are economically strong and show signs of growth.  Many are manifesting strong economies or improved employment trends....

Kiss of Death Practice Locations for 2023

June 01, 2022 16:08 - 40 minutes - 297 MB Video

Every year, we publish a list of the sites that are "Risky." We call these areas the "Kiss of Death" Sites.  If you are considering one for purchase or a start-up, we want you to think twice. The factors that make these locations less-than-desirable, change each year.  For example, in recent years, locations that had high unemployment were risky.  But at this time, unemployment has not been a major factor in what makes a good or bad location.  Rather, this year, locations that have above-ave...

Pinpointing the Perfect Practice Location

May 18, 2022 22:38 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MB

It has been true for a long time that brokers, realtors, and even demographers have considered only a very narrow number of factors in determining practice site viability.  Traditionally, this may have been due to a misunderstanding of how to interpret the available data.  We knew, for example, if the population surrounding a practice site was growing or shrinking. We certainly could tell if the competition around a location was increasing relative to the population.  Terrific!  But the scie...

Marketing Your Practice in Today's Economy

May 11, 2022 21:42 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MB

I believe (as many researchers do) that we are heading for an economic downturn soon. The only way to thrive during these times is to get the research and then make a plan and THEN you have to stick to it. That is what this episode is all about. But you need to make your plans soon!

The Idaho Wobble - And Why its Important (even if you're not in Idaho)

May 06, 2022 01:46 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

What goes up will invariably come down. It is a basic law of gravity, economics, and demographics. We can simply not hope that things will stay the same (either good or bad). Frankly, we are at a time when it appears the World is sliding into a Recession. This has long been predicted. So, with this in mind, we have to assume that there is going to be a "wobble."

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