MD interested in mobile IV hydration side hustle

[hombre3000]

Forgive me as I searched the forums and didn't see a post about this but may have missed one...

I'm an intensivist a few years out of fellowship with a desire to start a side hustle as I don't want to be 65 still taking in-house call on Christmas eve.  I was approached by a business-minded friend about partnering to create a mobile IV hydration service.  I'm intrigued and have gotten a handful of friends together from diverse areas (MBA, IT/web design) to look into the idea, but I need to talk to someone with experience about how to start this, what other partners I need to make, and what risks I need to mitigate.  I'm hesitant to approach anyone in my town as I would be creating competition and want unbiased opinions.

Does anyone have experience to share or resources to recommend?  I'm early stage and all ears.

[Peds]

For all the dehydrated people walking around?

[ENT Doc]

This is a bad idea on many levels. Abandon ship. Next.

[fatlittlepig]

Sounds like a great investment opportunity ?

[jfoxcpacfp]

Welcome to the forum - so excited you posted this!

The medical profession has come full circle - docs are back to house calls, but using 21st-century techniques. I believe mobile services, especially cash only, are a very important trend. We have 4 clients who are either doing, planning to offer, or tossing around similar services. All of these doctors are looking at mobile in entirely different areas (none in IV hydration, sounds like a great idea).

Mobile services lend themselves to a variety of side hustle opportunities (one client went straight from employed to f.t. business owner, profitable and comparable to employed position in yr 1). The QOL is a big factor. One thing to consider is any non-compete provisions in place.

I look forward to reading other comments and ideas - please share!

[FunkDoc83]

Is this another name for the hangover bus?  I mean what better cure for a hangover than a bag of fluid, a shot of toradol, and some Zofran!

[SerrateAndDominate]

I've heard of these in New Orleans. I'm sure Vegas would have them, too. I'd look up one of those towns and try to speak to someone higher up the food chain.

[DaBears38]

https://www.hangoverheaven.com/our-clinic/

Dr. Burke has been around for a couple of years. Judging by the prices (up to $329/ IV session) and location (Vegas) he is probably doing just fine.

[wideopenspaces]

Can someone explain what this is exactly?

[ENT Doc]

Now if this were your idea...

[wideopenspaces]

Wait, so it's literally to treat hangovers?

[ScopeMonkey]

Wow.  Waiting for requested the explanation on this, but I'm guessing it's essentially a "therapy" in search of an actual medical indication.   Meaning there is none.  Would def do a side hustle, but would suggest one that's ethical and has some proven medical benefit.  Sorry.

[hombre3000]

And I was afraid I wouldn't get any replies.

Yes, the concept started in Vegas with an anesthesiologist giving IVF (and Zofran and Toradol) to people who drank too much.  The very young industry has shifted to a more "wellness"-focused model, with people getting IVF with B12 or Vit C etc.  There certainly are quacks who claim it treats cancer/AIDS/ED/whatever, but my ethics won't let me do that.  I think it's premature to call me unethical...

It's a cash-only business with low overhead and something I'm qualified to do.  Honestly, pretty much every other "Physician Side Hustle" list seems pretty worthless ("Take online surveys", "Drive for Uber", etc).  Shoot it down if it's not for you, but I'm certainly open to better suggestions.

[Zaphod]

Its dehydration therapy and of course helps a lot, and works.

I tossed this around in 2015, just couldnt do it. However if you have the time and idiots will pay more than 100 bucks for a bag of fluid, by all means.

I was also thinking that sporting events like marathons, etc... would be great.

Not sure how many connections you need to make, just get the legal right, it's a bag of fluids after all.

[CordMcNally]

I'm sure there's some money to be made from people with more money than brains. This is nothing PO hydration and a multivitamin can't fix. However, the lay public thinks there's just something about IVF that's magical. I could never do it because I spend enough time convincing "dehydrated" people that they just need to drink some fluids instead of getting an IV.