The first thing to consider is the job function itself. Does it have to be performed by native English speakers? If so, you will be confined to outsourcing with a US resource, whether through a local temporary agency, virtual assistants, or other vendor that hires only those whose first language is American English. If this is the case, keep in mind that many foreign companies establish a presence in the United States. Ask for work samples and references. Make sure your US-based vendor doesn’t outsource to overseas vendors – a common practice.

The second aspect to consider is cost. If the task you need to outsource doesn’t need to be performed by a native English speaker, you can probably reduce costs far beyond your anticipated savings by utilizing a foreign vendor. The main advantage here will be cost savings; the main disadvantages will be possible communication issues with the vendor and probably greater effort on your part in terms of monitoring the tasks of the outsourcer. For example, if you hire a non-native English speaker to write articles for your medical practice blog, you will probably need to review and edit each article. The time required for doing this could offset cost savings.

The next consideration in outsourcing is liability. If the actions of the outsourced agency leave your medical practice vulnerable to lawsuits, your practice could suffer greatly if you select the wrong outsourcer or fail to monitor them properly. You may need to consider legal jurisdiction when hiring an outsourcer; some could hurt you, and some could help you. For this reason, it is extremely important to have your attorney review the contract and reputation of any potential outsourcer, whether US-based or foreign.

Lastly, consider the overall goals and objectives of your medical practice and determine whether or not the work of the outsourcer fits into those goals and objectives. For most medical practices, the primary goals are to optimize revenue and patient care. If those goals and objectives won’t be directly met by the outsourcer, they aren’t right for your medical practice, even if they offer significant cost savings. But if the same services your practice needs for operation or offers to patents can be met by a less expensive source, you may be able to increase revenue and satisfy patient care objectives by transferring those services to an outsourcer.

Regardless of whether or not you go outside the US for outsourcing, due diligence is critical. Conduct a complete review of at least three companies and/or individuals who specialize in the area for which you are considering outsourcing. Review the website thoroughly, ask for work samples, call all references, and have an attorney review the contract before signing. The terms on most contracts are flexible, so don’t hesitate to ask for changes that will benefit your practice. And price is always negotiable – no matter what the cost of a service, never accept the first bid.

Though outsourcing may be viewed with a critical eye by many, it may be a viable option for your medical practice. The best way to find out is to review your medical practice’s goals and objectives and then researching your outsourcing options thoroughly.