The coronavirus pandemic has taught all of us all about the importance of health. Whilst single discipline clinics still play a vital role, there is now a growing trend in the industry to offer more than just one service. For example, we are now seeing clinic and gyms that have teams which include physical therapists, personal trainers, nutritionists, and a mental health provider.

When you have a one-stop-shop for all health and fitness demands, members and clients won’t have the need to visit multiple businesses. With a more holistic approach to wellness and taking on a whole-body approach, experts can drive client results. Often, injuries get in the way of achieving fitness goals. With everything under one roof, clients can overcome obstacles that would previously been a challenge.

We caught up with Simon of Andra Health to find out more about their business model and why it works for both them and their clients. Based in Melbourne, Andra offer a range of services including Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Counselling & Pilates.

Hi Si! We last caught up with you guys over a year ago when we popped over to do some filming together. The world is a very different place now to 12 months ago, tell me a bit about how the last 12 months have been?

"We joined TM3 2 years ago following a reshuffle at our clinics where we revisited the services we wanted to provide. Our aim at Andra Health, is to be able to offer a multidisciplinary service that can cover the needs of most individuals when it comes to their health and wellbeing. The fluidity and modern feel of TM3 has certainly helped us expand and move further towards achieving this.

I think for most businesses, the last 12 months have been difficult. With one of our clinics in its infancy and the outbreak of COVID-19, it meant that we had to be highly reactive to all situations in order to continue moving forwards. With the changes we have made, I do feel when we break out the other side of this difficult period, we will have a stronger business model and be better placed for growth."

Since we last spoke we have seen more businesses turn to a multidisciplinary model – something that I admired about your setup when I visited. How important do you think this approach is for the MSK industry?

"I think this comes down to the importance of knowing your scope of practice. Nobody can be a specialist in everything and the more an individual tries to cover, the more pressure is on them to get things right. Without a team around you or people you trust, it can often be difficult to refer clients on or accept you have done all you can for them. This multidisciplinary model is what we at Andra Health are trying to create. Almost a ‘one-stop-shop, that can offer health and wellbeing opposed to a single service. Clients then start to trust the brand and don’t have to shop around for the different services."

It’s refreshing to see a clinic who understand the importance of brand perception alongside standard of treatments. The one-stop-shop thing obviously great from a business perspective but what benefits do you think it has for clients?

"This approach of having everything under one roof hopefully takes the stress out of finding clinicians that an individual trusts. I feel having clients talk about a brand is so powerful. I personally feel it also creates a really good team atmosphere and helps with ongoing CPD as you share a client’s journey."

Do you think your business approach and multidisciplinary model has helped Andra grow?

"Our second clinic, based in Melbourne, opened as a multidisciplinary from the offset. Because the model worked so well, we brought the concept across to our Heanor clinic, which was initially just Physiotherapy. It also brings new clients through the door that don’t necessarily have an injury at the time, or haven’t considered services like Nutrition, that they may do in the future."

That crossover and transition of services is surely a huge factor for your business. offering classes alongside treatments, have you seen an improvement in the length of time a client stays with you?

"I feel this links to one of the major benefits to our clients. Because we are able to offer a wide range of services that don’t necessarily start when you become injured, it fills the gap created by just offering a rehabilitation service. I think it’s very beneficial for clients but also from the Physiotherapy aspect to offer instructor lead rehab classes. Predominantly because it allows exercises to be regressed or progressed day by day and encourages clients to actually take the time do their exercises."

Thanks for your time today Si! Before you go, what do you think the future holds for your business model and do you plan to add more services, package and subscription-based plans?

"Over the lockdown period, I think we and all businesses were forced to adapt and expand services where possible. We were fortunate enough to find individuals looking for clinic space to work from that we felt fit in with our image and business model – Including personal training, counselling and life coaching. We hope to continue to grow and develop our online classes and support in addition to offer subscriptions services to these."

If you would like to know more about how TM3 Connect can support your multidisciplinary clinic with online bookings, packages, subscriptions and more. Get in touch with our sales team today.