Here are a few resources to assist you in setting up a new practice.

Medical Economics has done a great series on practice start-up, complete with information on hiring staff, setting up office systems, building a patient base and loans, leasing and credentialing, all with timelines of when to start each activity.

AAFP has made available On Your Own: Starting a Medical Practice From the Ground Up, a resource manual designed to provide you with the information you need to establish your own practice. It combines general information about starting a business with information that is tailored specifically to starting a practice, such as information on privileging issues, supplies, medical records and office design.

Community Health Care, Inc. has developed a free Practice Management Curriculum that provides information on: initial practice decisions; financing, accounting and information systems; marketing; and personnel management.

The Texas Tech University Center for Healthcare Leadership and Strategy has made available a checklist of tasks to complete when starting a medical practice.

The Southern Medical Association has prepared Starting Your Practice . . . What You Really Need to Know to provide you with the ins and outs of finding a good location, equipment selection, and alternative revenue options.