Principles of a good cockpit
- One page. If it does not fit on one page, nobody looks at it.
- Same order every month. From money to the drivers behind it.
- Targets, not just values. A number without a target cannot tell you whether to act.
- Trends over snapshots. Show the last six to twelve months, not just this one.
The 12 KPIs
Controlling
- Profit against plan (year to date): are you on course for your annual target?
- Gross profit per doctor hour: how well doctor time is used. See gross profit per doctor hour.
- Revenue mix: share of your three to five main treatments in total gross profit.
Patient acquisition
- New enquiries per month, by channel.
- Share of suitable enquiries: enquiries that match your offer and target group.
- Cost per treated new patient: marketing spend ÷ new patients actually treated.
Team
- Conversion rate: treatments started ÷ consultations held.
- Follow-up rate: proposals followed up within 48 hours.
- Average gross profit per patient over twelve months.
Workflows
- Utilisation of doctor hours: booked ÷ available hours.
- No-show and late-cancellation rate.
- Equipment utilisation: used ÷ available device days.
Example month
| KPI | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Profit vs plan (YTD) | 100% | 92% |
| Gross profit per doctor hour | €420 | €396 |
| Suitable enquiries | 60% | 48% |
| Cost per treated new patient | €220 | €265 |
| Conversion rate | 55% | 51% |
| Utilisation of doctor hours | 85% | 79% |
| No-show rate | 4% | 7% |
All figures in euros. The logic works in any currency.
Read from top to bottom, the story is clear: profit is behind plan because doctor hours are not used well enough. The drivers are visible underneath – too many unsuitable enquiries and too many no-shows. That points to two concrete actions rather than a vague “we need more patients”.
The monthly routine
- Fixed date: the same working day each month, 30 minutes, practice owner and practice manager.
- Top to bottom: profit first, then the drivers.
- Two actions at most, each with an owner and a date.
- Check last month’s actions before agreeing new ones.
- Update the forecast – see the guide to the rolling forecast.
This page explains the business and financial context. It is not a substitute for tax, legal or medical-regulatory advice in your country.