Don Pelto, DPM - Podiatry Practice Mastery

Don Pelto, DPM
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🚀 Podiatry Practice Mastery — Grow Your Podiatry Practice to $1M+ Without Working More Hours Are you a podiatrist ready to scale your practice to 7 figures and beyond — without burning out? Podiatry Practice Mastery is the podcast for growth-driven podiatrists who want to increase revenue, improve patient flow, and build efficient systems — without adding more clinic hours or sacrificing their quality of life. - Get my Free Million Dollar Practice Formula - https://www.podiatrypracticemastery.com/

  1. 5D AGO

    Why Visiting Other Practices Accelerates Growth

    Why Visiting Other Practices Accelerates Growth ⸻ Episode Description What if one of the fastest ways to grow as a podiatrist had nothing to do with new marketing tactics or equipment purchases? In this episode, I share a recent experience hosting a visiting physician and why spending your own time and resources to learn from other practices can dramatically shorten your learning curve. We break down practical takeaways from this visit—from treatment sheet workflows and low-cost in-room patient education to perspectives on shockwave for wounds, MIS surgery in the office, and real-world thoughts on Swift technology costs. This is a candid look at how collaboration, observation, and curiosity can directly influence clinical efficiency and practice design. ⸻ Timestamps • [00:00] Why hosting visiting doctors benefits both sides • [01:20] The mindset of investing time and money to learn from others • [02:35] Treatment sheets, front desk flow, and simple workflow improvements • [03:50] Using in-room TVs and USB videos for patient education • [05:05] Shockwave for wounds and navigating insurance hesitation • [06:30] Office-based MIS surgery as a time-efficient alternative • [07:40] Swift technology: effectiveness, tip costs, and real frustrations • [09:05] Why visiting other practices should be intentional and ongoing ⸻ Key Takeaway Regularly visiting other practices—and paying attention to their systems, not just their medicine—can accelerate your growth faster than trying to figure everything out on your own. ⸻ Conclusion If you’re early in your career or even years into practice, consider scheduling regular visits to other offices to see how they operate, educate patients, and structure care. If this episode sparked an idea or challenged your thinking, reach out or share your perspective—I always enjoy the dialogue.

    10 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Eliminating Open Slots to Increase Practice Revenue

    Eliminating Open Slots to Increase Practice Revenue ⸻ Episode Description What’s the least valuable patient in your practice? It’s probably not who you think. In this episode, I break down why the most costly problem in a podiatry schedule isn’t low-reimbursement visits—it’s empty appointment slots that go unfilled. I walk through real daily tracking sheets, contrasting least valuable patients with most valuable ones, and explain how tightening scheduling, stacking services appropriately, and identifying missed opportunities can significantly raise personal production. This is a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how small operational decisions compound into million-dollar outcomes. ⸻ Timestamps • [00:00] Why open schedule slots are the true least valuable “patients” • [01:30] Reframing daily capacity and tracking missed potential • [03:10] High-value visit example: plantar fasciitis workup to shockwave and orthotics • [05:10] Least valuable visits: orthotic adjustments and post-op globals • [06:50] Managing busy patients who “don’t have time” (and still need definitive care) • [09:10] Staged procedures, bundling services, and visit efficiency • [11:40] Identifying MVPs: laser, collagen kits, shockwave, and orthotic strategies • [14:10] Systems thinking: staff training, automatic imaging, and upsell awareness • [16:00] Why reducing low-value visits increases high-value capacity ⸻ Key Takeaway Your fastest path to higher production isn’t seeing more patients—it’s reducing empty slots and intentionally converting visits into higher-value, outcome-driven care plans. ⸻ Conclusion If you’re not tracking open capacity, you’re likely underestimating your true revenue leak. Start looking at your schedule through the lens of opportunity cost, not just visit counts. If this episode helped reframe how you look at your day, share it with your team or join the Podiatry Practice Mastery email list for weekly insights focused on real-world practice growth.

    17 min

  3. FEB 4

    Using Rollovers to Convert Hesitant Patients

    Using Rollovers to Convert Hesitant Patients ⸻ Episode Description How do you move patients forward when they feel like they’ve already “wasted money” on treatments that didn’t work? One simple pricing and communication strategy can lower resistance without discounting your value. In this episode, I explain how to use rollovers—crediting prior patient spending toward higher-value treatments—to increase acceptance of orthotics, laser, and advanced care. I then walk through a fast-paced clinical day, highlighting where rollovers, judgment calls, and selective follow-ups fit into real-world podiatry practice. ⸻ Timestamps ​ [00:00] What a “rollover” is and when to use it​ [01:05] Rollover examples: prefabs, orthotics, and failed fungus treatments​ [02:30] Why rollovers work psychologically without devaluing care​ [03:15] Clinical day highlights: ingrowns, fractures, shockwave, and post-ops​ [05:00] Managing uncertainty: infections, MRI follow-ups, and cautious monitoring​ [06:20] Bundling visits and identifying future treatment opportunities ⸻ Key Takeaway Strategic rollovers help patients move forward by reframing past spending as progress—not loss—while keeping your care plan intact. ⸻ Conclusion If patients hesitate because they feel burned by prior treatments, consider using rollovers selectively for higher-cost, higher-impact care. It’s not about discounting—it’s about momentum. If this episode was helpful, share it with a colleague or reach out with feedback.

    7 min

  4. FEB 4

    Turning Urgent Care Misses Into Referrals

    Turning Urgent Care Misses Into Referrals ⸻ Episode Description What if the biggest referral opportunity in your market is hiding in plain sight at urgent care? Many podiatry practices routinely see patients sent over late—after missed diagnoses, incomplete treatment, or delayed referrals. The question is: how do you turn that reality into a system that consistently drives new patients? In this episode, I walk through a practical strategy for educating urgent care centers on the most commonly missed foot and ankle diagnoses—and how that education can position you as their go-to specialist. I also share a real-world clinic day breakdown, highlighting how clinical decision-making, follow-ups, and workflow systems intersect with long-term practice growth. ⸻ Timestamps ​ [00:00] Why urgent care is a hidden referral opportunity​ [00:45] Commonly missed urgent care diagnoses (Lisfranc, Achilles, Charcot, and more)​ [02:00] Building an educational presentation to attract referral sources​ [02:55] Using a “Dream 100” style outreach strategy with urgent care centers​ [03:40] Clinical day recap: routine care, procedures, infections, and shockwave therapy​ [05:05] Orthotics, phased treatment plans, and patient clarity​ [05:45] Podcast workflow, follow-ups, and tackling no-shows ⸻ Key Takeaway Educating referral sources—especially urgent care centers—on what they commonly miss is one of the most effective, non-salesy ways to position your practice as essential rather than optional. ⸻ Conclusion If you’re seeing late referrals or poorly managed cases from urgent care, consider flipping the script by proactively teaching instead of reacting. If this episode sparked an idea or made you rethink your referral strategy, share it with your team or reach out—feedback and real-world discussion are always welcome.

    6 min

  5. JAN 30

    What an Eye Doctor Visit Taught Me About Patient Experience

    What an Eye Doctor Visit Taught Me About Patient Experience Episode Description Have you ever walked out of a medical appointment knowing the care was good—but the experience could have been better? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, Don reflects on a recent visit to the ophthalmologist with his father and unpacks what podiatrists and practice owners can learn from it. From smart delegation to staff utilization, to the importance of clear communication and slowing the pace of care, this short episode highlights practical ways to improve patient experience without sacrificing efficiency. Don also discusses why simple habits—like a “running commentary” during exams and better follow-up systems—can dramatically change how patients perceive your practice. Timestamps ​ [00:00] Welcome to Podiatry Practice Mastery and resource reminder​ [00:32] Context: Visiting the ophthalmologist with a family member​ [01:00] What worked well: Efficient intake and advanced staff utilization​ [01:48] Delegation lessons for podiatry practices​ [02:22] The value of routine annual follow-ups​ [02:58] What didn’t work: Medical jargon and lack of explanation​ [03:32] The power of a “running commentary” during exams​ [04:05] Rushing, documentation burden, and the case for scribes Key Takeaway Improving patient experience doesn’t require more time—just better communication, smarter delegation, and systems that keep patients informed and coming back consistently. Conclusion If this episode sparked ideas for improving your own patient experience, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Visit podiatrypracticemastery.com to download (or re-download) the $1,000,000 Practice Formula and share your feedback. Your input helps shape future conversations—thanks for listening.

    5 min

  6. JAN 30

    How to Use Treatment Sheets to Guide Care and Increase Clarity

    How to Use Treatment Sheets to Guide Care and Increase Clarity Episode Description How do you simplify complex treatment plans without overwhelming patients—or your staff? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, Don answers listener questions from two practicing podiatrists focused on growth, systems, and execution inside a busy practice. The first half of the episode addresses questions around scaling toward the $1M mark, including urgent-care style scheduling, website and marketing vendors, and practical insights on EHR and billing workflows. Don shares what he personally uses, what he avoids, and why simplicity and cost control matter at this stage of growth. The second half is a deep, tactical breakdown of how Don uses treatment sheets in real patient visits. He walks through exactly how they’re stored, presented, customized, and integrated into visits for common conditions like plantar fasciitis and nail fungus—showing how clear structure improves patient understanding, compliance, and efficiency without feeling scripted. Timestamps ​[00:00] Listener questions and episode overview​[00:55] Scaling from $600K to $1M with an urgent-care mindset​[02:05] Website and marketing vendors Don recommends​[03:15] EHR, billing workflows, and ModMed insights​[04:30] Insurance and DME expectations in real-world practice​[05:30] Introduction to treatment sheets and where to access them​[07:10] How treatment sheets are stored, printed, and updated​[09:05] When and how to present treatment sheets during visits​[10:30] Nail fungus treatment sheet: structure and patient flow​[12:45] Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis treatment sheets​[14:40] Guiding patients by checking what they don’t need​[15:45] Why treatment sheets outperform slide presentations Key Takeaway Treatment sheets create clarity, consistency, and confidence—helping patients understand what’s happening now, what comes next, and why, while saving physician time and reducing confusion. Conclusion If this episode gave you ideas you want to implement, let me know what resonated. You can email me directly or visit podiatrypracticemastery.com to download the free $1,000,000 Practice Formula. If you want to see the actual treatment sheets discussed, reach out—I’m happy to share what I use every day in practice.

    16 min

  7. JAN 30

    Surgical Wow Factors That Patients Actually Remember

    Surgical Wow Factors That Patients Actually Remember Episode Description What do patients remember most about surgery—the procedure itself, or how you made them feel before and after? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, Don breaks down the specific pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and post-procedure systems he uses to create consistent “wow” experiences for surgical patients. Rather than focusing on monetization, Don explains how thoughtful preparation, proactive communication, and simple personal touches reduce anxiety, improve trust, and protect the physician. From structured pre-surgical visits to automated follow-ups and small post-op gestures, this episode shows how intentional systems—not extra time—drive better patient experiences. Timestamps • [00:00] Introduction and the importance of consistency in patient experience • [00:45] Why systems—not effort—create reliable “wow” factors • [01:20] Pre-surgical visits, consent, and structured discussions • [02:40] Lessons learned from past complications and legal exposure • [03:40] Day-before and day-of surgery communication habits • [04:30] Intra-operative wow factors and involving families • [05:30] Post-op contact, texting, and giving patients direct access • [06:40] Using EMR tasks and automation for office procedures • [07:35] Post-surgical kits and personal touches that stand out Key Takeaway Patients don’t experience “great care” by accident—clear processes before, during, and after procedures create reassurance, trust, and memorable experiences without adding chaos to your day. Conclusion If this episode gave you ideas to refine your own surgical or procedural workflows, I’d love to hear what you’re implementing. Reach out to me directly or visit podiatrypracticemastery.com for resources and to continue the conversation.

    8 min

  8. JAN 30

    How to Talk About Cash-Pay Treatments Without Selling

    How to Talk About Cash-Pay Treatments Without Selling Episode Description How do you introduce high-ticket, cash-pay treatments without sounding salesy or uncomfortable? In this episode of Podiatry Practice Mastery, Don answers a listener question on how to communicate value and pricing for services like shockwave therapy, biologics, and other self-pay procedures. Don breaks down the mindset shift most podiatrists were never taught in training—how belief, conviction, and structure directly impact patient decisions. He explains where cash-pay options should live in your treatment flow, how treatment sheets and imaging support the conversation, and when staff should (and shouldn’t) be involved. The episode offers a practical framework for offering advanced treatments confidently, ethically, and consistently. Timestamps ​ [00:00] Introduction and listener question overview​ [01:05] Why cash-pay conversations feel uncomfortable for doctors​ [02:10] The importance of believing in what you offer​ [03:40] How to build conviction before charging patients​ [05:05] Where cash-pay treatments belong in the care pathway​ [06:25] Using treatment sheets to guide phase-one vs phase-two care​ [08:05] Provider vs staff: who should discuss pricing and why​ [09:35] Imaging and ultrasound as value-building tools​ [11:10] Language, phrasing, and setting patient expectations​ [12:30] Advanced follow-up strategies when patients decline care Key Takeaway Cash-pay treatments work best when they’re presented with conviction, structure, and timing—patients respond to clarity and confidence, not pressure. Conclusion If this episode helped you rethink how you present advanced treatments, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Visit podiatrypracticemastery.com for free resources or reach out directly with questions you’d like covered in a future episode.

    13 min
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🚀 Podiatry Practice Mastery — Grow Your Podiatry Practice to $1M+ Without Working More Hours Are you a podiatrist ready to scale your practice to 7 figures and beyond — without burning out? Podiatry Practice Mastery is the podcast for growth-driven podiatrists who want to increase revenue, improve patient flow, and build efficient systems — without adding more clinic hours or sacrificing their quality of life. - Get my Free Million Dollar Practice Formula - https://www.podiatrypracticemastery.com/

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