Networking helps clinicians from both traditional and alternative health care fields expand their patient networks and receive more clinical referrals. Additionally, it can help doctors forge supportive relationships with their peers, reducing rates of clinician burnout. For many, though, networking doesn’t come naturally—it is a skill that requires practice. Below are some tips to get you started.  

Top 5 Networking Tips for Clinicians

1. Attend Social Events

Don’t wait for networking opportunities to come to you. Instead, seek them out. Organize a mixer with colleagues, and ask attendees to invite their peers and coworkers. Try to get representatives from both traditional and alternative health care fields; networking with clinicians from different disciplines builds stronger referral networks.

Also, look for organizations who host dinners, retreats, and other networking events. These gatherings will allow you to meet clinicians outside your immediate social circle.

2. Leverage Social Media

Not only can you use social media to advertise the practice, but you can also use it to grow a referral network. LinkedIn, for example, is an effective way to find and connect with other clinicians in your field. You can also use it to meet doctors outside your discipline. Remember to update your profiles regularly, especially after you change practices or publish new research.     

3. Be an Active Listener

When networking, you should paint yourself in a positive light without dominating the conversation. Ask questions and request other people’s opinions. Show a genuine interest in others’ work. For example, if you know you’re going to meet with a doctor who practices alternative health care, research the field beforehand. Then, you can ask more engaging questions and express a genuine interest in their work.

4. Say Thank You

Networking is more than gaining referrals—it’s building a genuine yet professional bond. Always thank your new connections for their time. Also ask them for a business card, email, or some other form of identification. That way you can reconnect at a later date.

5. Follow Up

Forming a strong relationship with another doctor takes time. After the initial meeting, find a reason to follow up. Whether it’s sending a thank you email, sharing an interesting article, or commenting on a new connection’s Facebook post, these conversations lay the foundations for a long-term professional relationship.

Metro Collaborative™ is a New York City-based organization that believes clinicians work best when they are united. They host six intimate, peer-to-peer dinners throughout the year that give practitioners from both traditional and alternative health care fields a chance to discuss their work and build strong referral networks. They also host Caribbean retreats and holistic workshops designed to reduce clinician burnout. Visit them online to browse their upcoming events or call (609) 876-9163 for more on their networking and branding services.