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. HACE 3 DÍAS

    #77 – True or False: What Actually Drives Practice Performance

    Send us your enquiry or question directly! This episode takes a different approach. Zac and Ami run through a rapid-fire round of true or false questions, unpacking some of the most common assumptions in general practice and challenging what actually holds up in the real world. Each question opens up a deeper conversation around performance, efficiency, and where practices are quietly losing money. We cover: • Whether busy clinics are actually profitable • If more patients really equals better performance • The role of nurses in driving revenue and efficiency • How much impact systems and software really have on outcomes • Why practice managers can make or break performance • Where hidden opportunities sit within your current operations We also speak honestly about: • The gap between perception and reality in most practices • Why activity often gets mistaken for productivity • The operational inefficiencies that go unnoticed day-to-day • How culture influences performance more than most realise • The risks of running without clear structure and accountability This format is fast, direct, and practical. No overcomplication, just clear insights tied to real operational challenges. If you want a sharper lens on what is actually working in your practice, and what is not, this episode will give you exactly that. Listen now and pressure test your own assumptions against what actually drives results. 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/

    18 min
  2. 30 MAR

    #76 – Hiring Friends & Family Without Breaking Your Business

    Send us your enquiry or question directly! Hiring friends or family sounds simple. In reality, it is one of the quickest ways to damage culture, create tension, and lose control of standards if handled poorly. In this episode, Ami and Zac break down how to approach these situations with structure, clarity, and discipline so you protect both the relationship and the business. We cover: • When hiring friends or family actually makes sense, and when it does not • Setting clear boundaries from day one to avoid blurred roles • How to create proper job descriptions, KPIs, and accountability early • Avoiding favouritism and maintaining fairness across the team • Managing performance issues without damaging personal relationships • Why documentation and structure matter more in these scenarios We also speak honestly about: • The emotional bias that leads to poor hiring decisions • How delays in addressing issues make things worse • The risk to team culture when standards are not applied consistently • Handling resignations or fallout when things do not work out • Why professionalism must override personal relationships This is a practical discussion for business owners and managers who want to avoid the common mistakes that come with hiring people they know. Done right, these hires can work. Done poorly, they create long-term damage. If you are considering bringing a friend or family member into your business, or already have, this episode gives you a clear framework to manage it properly. Listen now and take control of one of the most misunderstood areas of leadership. 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/

    37 min
  3. 23 MAR

    #75 - Flu Clinics Done Properly: Setup, Systems and Execution That Actually Work

    Send us your enquiry or question directly! Flu season is one of the highest-volume, highest-demand periods in general practice. Most clinics underestimate the level of planning and structure required to run it properly. In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami and Zac walk through the full flu clinic setup and delivery process, from early planning through to execution and follow-up. We cover: • How to plan flu clinics in advance to avoid stock issues and workflow bottlenecks • Structuring appointment books to maximise throughput without compromising care • Setting up efficient patient flow across admin, nursing, and clinical teams • Vaccine ordering, storage, and cold chain management fundamentals • Using data to track uptake, identify gaps, and drive recalls • Managing high-volume days without overwhelming your team • Aligning flu clinics with broader preventative health strategies We also speak honestly about: • Clinics running out of stock due to poor forecasting • Underutilised nurse capacity during flu season • Missed revenue and patient engagement opportunities • Lack of clear ownership across the team • Compliance gaps that create clinical and business risk If you are a practice owner, manager, nurse, or GP preparing for flu season, this episode provides a clear, practical framework to set your clinics up 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/

    38 min
  4. 16 MAR

    #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
  5. 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
  6. 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

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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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