Practice Partners Podcast

Ami Assigal & Zac Pandur

Welcome to Practice Partners Podcast, where Ami, a seasoned practice owner, and Zac, a dynamic practice manager, team up to explore the ins and outs of healthcare business management. Together, they share their expertise as consultants for practice owners and managers through their work with Practice Partners, while also operating Ami's own successful medical centre group, Innovate Health.From funny behind-the-scenes stories to real-world challenges and valuable insights, Practice Partners Podcast is your go-to podcast for everything practice management and operations. Whether you’re a seasoned practice owner, a budding manager, or just curious about what goes on behind the reception desk, join Ami and Zac for an engaging and informative journey into the heart of healthcare business.Tune in for laughs, lessons, and a little chaos—because running a medical practice is anything but boring!'We partner you in your Healthcare Business'

  1. 18 HR AGO

    #74 - Persistent Recurring Practice Problems and How to Fix Them

    Send us your enquiry or question directly! Recurring problems are one of the biggest frustrations in healthcare practices. In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami and Zac unpack why the same operational issues keep resurfacing in clinics and what practice owners and managers can actually do to stop the cycle. From staffing gaps and rostering chaos to communication breakdowns and unclear processes, many practice problems are not caused by people. They are caused by systems that were never clearly defined, implemented, or followed through. We cover: • Why the same operational issues keep reappearing in healthcare practices  • The real root causes behind staffing, scheduling, and workflow breakdowns  • Why unclear processes create stress, confusion, and inconsistency for teams  • The role of SOPs and systems in preventing recurring operational problems  • Why follow-through is one of the most underrated leadership skills in healthcare  • Building trust with teams through clarity, consistency, and accountability  • How hands-on leadership helps identify issues before they become bigger problems We also speak honestly about: • The daily “spot fires” that practice managers constantly deal with  • Staff disengagement and the warning signs leaders often miss  • Ethical dilemmas and complaint handling in real clinic environments  • Why many practices fix symptoms instead of solving the underlying issue If you are a practice owner, manager, or healthcare leader, this episode provides practical insight into identifying recurring issues and putting the right structures in place to prevent them. Running a healthcare practice will always involve challenges. But when systems are clear and leaders follow through, problems stop repeating themselves. Support the show We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: info@practicepartners.com.au Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

    42 min
  2. 8 MAR

    #73 - Nurse/Doctor Ratio's... Explained

    Send us your enquiry or question directly! Nurses are one of the most underleveraged assets in general practice. In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami and Zac unpack what optimal nurse utilisation actually looks like in the real world and why it directly impacts patient care, workflow efficiency, and profitability. We cover:  • What the ideal GP to nurse ratio looks like and why it varies by practice size and service mix  • How to structure nurse appointment books for flow, not chaos  • The difference between busy nurses and productive nurses  • Reducing care plan time using IT tools, templates, and process design  • Balancing clinical tasks versus administrative creep  • How confidence, training, and scope clarity change everything  • Building proactive and opportunistic care into everyday consults We also speak honestly about:  • Underutilised nurses and the silent cost to your practice  • Doctor hesitation and its downstream effect on workflow  • Bringing nurses into clinical meetings and decision making  • Structuring handovers to maximise appointment time If you are a practice owner, manager, GP, or nurse wanting to tighten operations and improve patient outcomes, this episode gives you practical, implementable insights. Optimising your nursing team is not about adding more people. It is about using the people you have, properly. Support the show We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: info@practicepartners.com.au Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

    30 min
  3. 2 MAR

    #72 - Navigating Facility Fees in Healthcare Practices

    Send us your enquiry or question directly! Facility fees are one of the most misunderstood and debated topics in general practice. In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami Assigal and Zac Pandur unpack the legal, operational, and psychological realities behind charging facility fees, and why understanding them is critical for sustainable practice management. We unpack: What facility fees actually are and when they can be charged alongside Medicare rebatesHow treatment room budgeting influences fee decisionsThe psychology behind charging patients and why staff confidence mattersThe compliance considerations every practice must understandHow clear patient communication protects trust and reputationWe also talk honestly about: Why some teams hesitate to charge and how that impacts financial healthThe risks of inconsistent messaging across reception, nurses, and doctorsThe importance of structured billing processes to prevent revenue leakageEducating staff so fees are explained with clarity and confidenceAdapting fee models to suit your practice environment and patient baseThis episode is for practice owners, managers, and healthcare leaders who want to strengthen their billing systems, improve communication, and build financially sustainable clinics. Facility fees are not just about revenue. When implemented correctly, they support quality care, operational stability, and long term viability. References: Medicare Explanatory Note GN 7.17 Support the show We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: info@practicepartners.com.au Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

    31 min
  4. 2 FEB

    #69 - Day In The Life of an Admin Leader

    Send us your enquiry or question directly! Leadership is not a title. It is what happens between the phone ringing, the appointment book filling, the team asking questions, and the quiet decisions no one sees. In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Josie takes our listeners inside a real day in the life of an Admin Leader in general practice and we officially welcome Josie into her new role. We unpack: What the Admin Leader role actually looks like day to dayThe balance between front desk leadership and operational accountabilityHow admin leaders influence flow, culture, and patient experienceThe difference between being busy at reception and leading a teamCommon challenges admin leaders face and how to manage them effectivelyWe also talk honestly about: Stepping up into leadership from within the admin teamSetting expectations without losing approachabilitySupporting the practice manager and clinical teamWhy strong admin leadership is critical to a well-run clinicThis episode is for receptionists considering their next step, admin leaders finding their feet, and practice owners who want to better understand the role that keeps everything moving. Admin leadership is not glamorous. But when done well, it changes everything. Welcome to the role, Josie. Support the show We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: info@practicepartners.com.au Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

    54 min

About

Welcome to Practice Partners Podcast, where Ami, a seasoned practice owner, and Zac, a dynamic practice manager, team up to explore the ins and outs of healthcare business management. Together, they share their expertise as consultants for practice owners and managers through their work with Practice Partners, while also operating Ami's own successful medical centre group, Innovate Health.From funny behind-the-scenes stories to real-world challenges and valuable insights, Practice Partners Podcast is your go-to podcast for everything practice management and operations. Whether you’re a seasoned practice owner, a budding manager, or just curious about what goes on behind the reception desk, join Ami and Zac for an engaging and informative journey into the heart of healthcare business.Tune in for laughs, lessons, and a little chaos—because running a medical practice is anything but boring!'We partner you in your Healthcare Business'

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