Dr. Waqaar Diwan, an interventional radiologist, shares his experience transitioning to building his own independent IR practice after sudden ownership changes. He discusses navigating challenges like securing hospital contracts and managing a small team. Dr. Diwan emphasizes the importance of trust-building for referrals and the differences between independent and combined practices. He also highlights leveraging networks for business development and adapting to patient care logistics, all essential for a successful independent practice.
36:25
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Sudden Group Collapse Leads to Independence
Dr. Waqaar Diwan's group underwent a major collapse shortly after he signed his first attending contract.
He and his partner negotiated a subcontract to provide full-time IR at the hospital, effectively starting an independent practice.
insights INSIGHT
Challenges of Independent IR Practice
Independent IR requires greater investment in outpatient and referral-building efforts compared to larger groups.
Hospital politics and gaining respect as young IRs add significant challenges in independent practice.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Build Trust to Grow Referrals
Build your referral base by starting with straightforward cases and focusing on excellent outcomes.
Invest time in personal visits, onsite presence, and consistent patient care to earn trust from referring physicians.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
What would you do if your IR/DR practice underwent major ownership and staffing changes just one week after signing your first attending contract? In this episode of BackTable, Dr. Waqaar Diwan joins host Dr. Michael Barraza to share his experience facing exactly that challenge—and how it led to the eventual development of his own independent IR practice. --- This podcast is supported by: RADPAD® Radiation Protection https://www.radpad.com/ OBL Marketing https://oblmarketing.com/ Medtronic Emprint https://www.medtronic.com/emprint --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Diwan discusses how he navigated the unexpected transition of ownership and staffing changes, and ultimately secured a hospital contract that allowed him to perform IR procedures full-time. Since then, he has been building an independent IR practice with the support of his partner and a growing team.
Dr. Diwan shares his goals for the practice, including staffing and equipment logistics, strategic planning, and patient outreach. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging personal and professional networks to guide his business development.
He also outlines key differences between independent IR practices and combined IR/DR models. These include the need for greater investment in the outpatient experience, actively seeking referrals, and navigating hospital politics without the backing of a larger department. His top advice for building a referral base is to first earn trust—by excelling in straightforward cases and ensuring strong outcomes—and to market the practice directly to potential referring providers.
Overall, Dr. Diwan encourages early-career interventional radiologists to know their worth. He notes that in the real world, IRs are often seen as providers of “catch-all” services, making it crucial to ensure fair compensation. He stresses the importance of striking a balance between self-advocacy and humility, all while staying focused on serving patients. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 01:42 - Navigating Contracts and Restructuring 8:07 - Upcoming Goals for His IR Group 14:00 - Strategic Planning and Marketing 20:16 - Compensation and Finances of Independent IR 27:38 - Future Plans and Market Trends 29:48 Advice for New Interventional Radiologists --- RESOURCES Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas: https://www.mist-health.com/
BackTable Vascular & Interventional