The Business of Healing has become widely regarded as one of the best books on practice management in Australia and has been the set text for this subject in most institutions teaching non-medical healthcare since 2003. This 387 page book contains comprehensive information on the operation of a non-medical healthcare practice from the author’s own personal experience, and that of some of Australia’s most successful natural medicine practitioners. It's also of great use to anyone wanting to maximise the efficiency of an existing clinic.

To take a few examples of what’s in the book, it guides the reader through practice options (group practice, solo practice, mobile practice, etc), the selection of a successful clinic location, clinic design, business structures and the costs involved in establishing and running a clinic. It covers payment and receipts, the design of client intake forms, clinic software options, dispensary management, employing staff, and has a great deal of excellent guidance on marketing, including social media management. It explores government regulations and the legal and other responsibilities that need to be considered in practice. It also provides comprehensive guidance on client records and record keeping, tax, GST, ethics and negligence, health insurance rebates and how to deal with adverse reactions and client complaints. In addition, exhaustive detail is supplied on financial and business management, business and strategic planning, and a step-by-step guide on starting a clinic is included. For the experienced practitioner there’s invaluable advice on improving the function of an existing practice including thought-provoking discussion on barriers to success, skills maintenance and methods that will assist in increasing the success of a clinic once it’s underway. Finally, for the practitioner who’s considering retirement, extensive practical advice is given on how this can be done in a legally compliant, ethical, easy and efficient manner.

The author is a natural medicine practitioner who’s worked as a naturopath, massage therapist, herbalist, homeopath and nutritionist for 40 years. He’s established and operated five successful natural medicine practices and has tertiary qualifications in business management. He’s lectured on practice management around Australia and overseas since 1996, acted as an expert advisor to State and Federal governments, worked as a key part of the strategic management teams for a number of large Australian organisations and is a past Director and Vice President of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society.