What’s one thing that you think was missing from your clinical education?
That’s the question I got asked on a recent speaking engagement. We were covering the topics of clinical education, professional development, and growth into leadership roles within healthcare. Most clinicians graduate knowing how to treat patients. Very few graduate understanding the business systems that make patient care possible.
After speaking with students and faculty at Bowling Green State University, one question kept surfacing:
“What do you wish you had known coming out of school?”
The answer wasn’t another certification, clinical framework, or specialty area.
It was business literacy.
In this episode, we explore the hidden curriculum of healthcare — the financial, operational, and strategic realities that shape modern clinical practice but are rarely taught in OT or healthcare programs. Because whether you plan to own a practice, lead a team, negotiate compensation, or simply understand why healthcare organizations make the decisions they do, understanding the business side of healthcare changes everything.
The clinicians who advance aren’t just clinically skilled.
They understand the system they operate inside of.
What we cover in this Episode:
- Why clinical excellence is not enough
- The gap between clinical education and real-world practices
- Why business literacy matters even if you never plan to own a practice
- The financial engine driving the healthcare industry (in the US)
- The future of healthcare reimbursement and delivery
- Viewing your clinical education as the foundation, not the ceiling.
We post videos of certain podcast episodes, including this episode, which can find on the YouTube Channel.
Connect with Me
For More:
Join Rafael E. Salazar II, MHS, OTR/L (Rafi), principal of Rehab U Practice Solutions and host of The Better Outcomes Show as he explores the possibilities of a new healthcare. Guests range from clinicians trying new techniques and treatments to executives and entrepreneurs exploring new technology, innovative service delivery methods, business models, and organizational structures. Grab a copy of the book: Better Outcomes: A Guide to Humanizing Healthcare. Or, hire Rafi to speak at your organization or event.
Are You Ready to Take Your Healthcare Business to the Next Level?
Navigating the complexities of the healthcare industry requires deep expertise, actionable insights, and a focus on sustainability. That’s exactly what we deliver. Whether you’re looking to improve patient engagement, streamline operations, or develop a winning go-to-market strategy, I help you move the needle and achieve lasting results. If you want to learn more, reach out. I’d love to talk with you about how I can help you Leverage Objective Advice & Insight, Focused Knowledge, and Industry Expertise to Move the Needle for your Healthcare Business or Organization.
Rafael E. Salazar II, MHS, OTR/L (Rafi) is a healthcare consultant, speaker, and host of he Better Outcomes Show. He helps healthcare startups, SaaS platforms, and organizations craft clear positioning, humanize the patient experience, and go to market effectively. He’s the author of Better Outcomes: A Guide to Humanizing Healthcare and principal at Rehab U Practice Solutions. His work on Telehealth has been discussed in Forbes, and he’s advised on projects ranging from digital health product launches to multi-million-dollar healthcare transformation initiatives.
Today, Rafi helps innovative healthcare companies like technology startups, platforms, SaaS companies & innovative healthcare organizations develop effective positioning strategy and business development plans through his consulting work. He also leverages his experience as a professor and academic to speak and train on the topics around humanizing the healthcare experience & healthcare innovation. In addition, Rafi also owns and operates ProActive Rehabilitation & Wellness, a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic treating patients with musculoskeletal pain.
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Work With Me
Are you building something innovative in healthcare—like a digital health product, service, or platform that’s aiming to truly improve the patient experience?
I help healthcare startups, SaaS platforms, and forward-thinking provider organizations develop clear positioning strategies, identify high-value offers, and build go-to-market plans that actually resonate with both users and buyers.
Whether you're launching a new product, scaling an existing service, or navigating digital transformation, I bring 12+ years of experience across clinical operations, healthcare innovation, and strategic development.
How I help:
- Clarify your product/service positioning so customers “get it”
- Align your offer with real market needs
- Build a Digital Health Roadmap to scale your healthcare organization effectively
- Support business development with industry-informed strategy
I’ve consulted on projects from multi-million-dollar state initiatives to early-stage product launches. My work’s been featured in Forbes, and I also speak at healthcare events and conferences on topics like innovation, digital health, and humanizing care. I also speak and train at healthcare conferences, events, and organizations on topics related to technology-enabled care, healthcare innovation, healthcare positioning, and humanizing the healthcare experience.
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