Her own practice: Dr. med. Tatjana Walser talks about her transition to independence

Many people dream of it, but not everyone has the courage to make it a reality: becoming self-employed and setting up their own practice. We spoke to the owner of Ärzte 8808 / Doctors 8808, who set up her own practice three years ago.

The step towards independence

Initially, Dr Tatjana Walser worked as a salaried doctor in a practice. But the organisation and conditions of the practice no longer suited her. Independence seemed to offer more freedom and the chance to run a practice according to her own ideas and values.

“When the desire for change became more concrete, I asked myself what my options were, what my family situation was? Right from the start, I was able to count on my family, and within five weeks the practice was up and running. Of course, not everything was ready at the start – our X-ray machine, for example, didn’t arrive until two months after we opened. To set up your own practice, you need flexibility, creativity and courage! In return, you’re rewarded with a great deal of freedom to make decisions and a great deal of independence.”

Successful independence thanks to collaboration with experts

Dr Tatjana Walser had the courage to set up a practice from scratch. So it was up to her to build up a patient base quickly. Although she was able to take on a few patients from her previous practice, it wasn’t enough to make a real living from it. Thanks to word of mouth and an online presence, the practice managed to make a name for itself. And while we’re on the subject of names: on the advice of his marketing company, Dr Walser chose the name ‘Ärzte 8808’ (8808 being Pfäffikon’s postcode).

‘The idea behind this name was not to have his own surname in the name of the practice, because it makes the practice seem more independent of me, the doctor. If the practice were to be taken over one day, it would be easier for the future doctor.”

Tatjana Walser enlisted the help of marketing experts and a trustee to set up her own business. Doctors’ primary skills lie in the medical field, which is why it makes strategic sense to outsource certain things. Dr Tatjana Walser, for example, has so far outsourced the management and administration of her practice’s website to an external service provider.

Online appointments and online presence as important pillars of independence

Running a successful practice means knowing exactly what patients need. Dr Tatjana Walser knows what her patients need. She is committed to making her practice accessible, and even offers consultations in several languages. The practice also maintains a close relationship with patients thanks to a strong online presence.

Regular surveys confirm Dr Walser’s experience. According to the eHealth Barometer (2020), 63% of patients in Switzerland would like to be able to book an appointment online. For them, the ability to book appointments online is even a decisive factor in choosing a doctor.

Independence as a family project

Tatjana Walser explains in the interview that it was important for her to involve her husband and children in the ‘Independence’ project from the outset:

“When you set up your own business, you need the support of the whole family. My husband, for example, provided me with the premises for the practice. As for my daughter, she regularly makes Powerpoint presentations for the screen in our waiting room. For my children in particular, it’s a valuable experience to see what it takes to set up and run your own practice.”