Laurie Morgan, MBA is a partner and senior consultant for 

. Her consulting focuses on practice management effectiveness and practice profitability. She is the author of the book 

People, Technology, Profit: Practical Ideas for a Happier, Healthier Practice Business

Farming out entire business functions can be a very attractive option, especially if no one in your practice is expert in that function or enjoys doing it. Outsourcing can allow practice staff and physicians to focus on what they do best - and transfer other tasks to people who can do them better. But if you're considering outsourcing primarily to avoid the hassle or learning curve associated with a difficult job, it's possible to make a sub-optimal decision in haste.Here are a few things to consider to be sure your outsourcing decisions are a net gain for your practice.

Outsourcing

Managers & Administrators

Operations

Pearls

Outsourcing can allow practice staff and physicians to focus on what they do best. But you have to make sure it's the best decision for your practice.