tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 %ISSUE_DATE%T09:25:32-07:00 Opinion and techniques for maximizing productivity and branding. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56523 2013-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

I know some in our profession love to debate about whether or not spinal curvatures change as a result of our chiropractic adjustment, but I have a question that hits a little more close to the belt than that: Are chiropractors capable of change? I am not speaking of physical change or spinal remodeling; I am speaking of change in the fundamental way we do business as chiropractors. In other words, can we change our revenue model?

By Tom Necela, DC I know some in our profession love to debate about whether or not spinal curvatures change as a result of our chiropractic adjustment, but I have a question that hits a little more close to the belt than that: Are chiropractors capable of change? I am not speaking of physical change or spinal remodeling; I am speaking of change in the fundamental way we do business as chiropractors. In other words, can we change our revenue model? tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56482 2013-05-15T12:00:32-07:00 2013-05-15T12:00:07-07:00

In my very early years of practice, an older patient named Cora would call me at home, usually late Sunday night after she had consumed an unknown quantity of beer. She would always tell me about some event that had "set her low back off" and that she wanted to be sure I could see her the next day. I would listen, reassure her that I could "fit her in" (among the eight or 10 patients I might have had scheduled in those days), and she would then hang up abruptly. This went on for a few years. I was young and found the ritual to be amusing and probably harmless, if not professional.

By John Hanks, DC In my very early years of practice, an older patient named Cora would call me at home, usually late Sunday night after she had consumed an unknown quantity of beer. She would always tell me about some event that had "set her low back off" and that she wanted to be sure I could see her the next day. I would listen, reassure her that I could "fit her in" (among the eight or 10 patients I might have had scheduled in those days), and she would then hang up abruptly. This went on for a few years. I was young and found the ritual to be amusing and probably harmless, if not professional. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56473 2013-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

An interesting article focused on the importance of the "patient experience" was posted on the American Medical News website back in March.1 It seems that the medical profession is finally starting to look at how it treats and communicates with patients. For decades, doctors of chiropractic have outperformed their medical colleagues in the area of patient service. But that could be changing in the not-too-distant future if we don't do something about it.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher An interesting article focused on the importance of the "patient experience" was posted on the American Medical News website back in March.1 It seems that the medical profession is finally starting to look at how it treats and communicates with patients. For decades, doctors of chiropractic have outperformed their medical colleagues in the area of patient service. But that could be changing in the not-too-distant future if we don't do something about it. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56471 2013-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

According to a recent Pew Internet Project survey, 81 percent of American adults use the Internet. More interestingly for the chiropractor, 72 percent of Internet users say they looked online for health information within the past year. Internet marketing has clearly seized the lead as the most effective and affordable form of marketing, particularly for small businesses and professionals, including health care service providers.

By Naren Arulrajah According to a recent Pew Internet Project survey, 81 percent of American adults use the Internet. More interestingly for the chiropractor, 72 percent of Internet users say they looked online for health information within the past year. Internet marketing has clearly seized the lead as the most effective and affordable form of marketing, particularly for small businesses and professionals, including health care service providers. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56469 2013-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

Chiropractors love success stories. Recently I had the opportunity to witness evidence of this during my state convention. It was late afternoon after a mandatory six-hour continuing-education presentation on record-keeping and documentation, the content of which seemed to evoke a temporary bout of generalized anxiety disorder among the participants, me included. In an effort to end the day on a more upbeat note, I wandered over to a small room where three chiropractors were presenting interesting and compellingly successful cases from their practices. I watched the head-nodding, excitement and interest that had been absent from the earlier session.

By Shelley Simon, RN, DC, MPH, EdD Chiropractors love success stories. Recently I had the opportunity to witness evidence of this during my state convention. It was late afternoon after a mandatory six-hour continuing-education presentation on record-keeping and documentation, the content of which seemed to evoke a temporary bout of generalized anxiety disorder among the participants, me included. In an effort to end the day on a more upbeat note, I wandered over to a small room where three chiropractors were presenting interesting and compellingly successful cases from their practices. I watched the head-nodding, excitement and interest that had been absent from the earlier session. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56453 2013-04-15T12:00:32-07:00 2013-04-15T12:00:07-07:00

A successful Internet marketing plan for your chiropractic practice hinges on attracting a high volume of traffic to your website and creating a high rate of conversion. Traffic means the number of unique visitors who view your website. Conversion refers to the number of people who took the step of contacting you after viewing your website.

By Mark Sanna, DC, ACRB Level II, FICC A successful Internet marketing plan for your chiropractic practice hinges on attracting a high volume of traffic to your website and creating a high rate of conversion. Traffic means the number of unique visitors who view your website. Conversion refers to the number of people who took the step of contacting you after viewing your website. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56378 2013-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

The majority of ancillary treatments performed in chiropractic practices are performed by staff members. This has been the norm in chiropractic for many years. Unfortunately, it is also the norm for staff members to have limited clinical training.

By K. Jeffrey Miller, DC, DABCO The majority of ancillary treatments performed in chiropractic practices are performed by staff members. This has been the norm in chiropractic for many years. Unfortunately, it is also the norm for staff members to have limited clinical training. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56376 2013-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

"I wish you had come to me first." How many times have you either said this or at least thought it when working with a patient who came to you only after seeing a barrage of doctors for their problem? While there are some issues that require surgery, oftentimes a person could prevent surgery and avoid unnecessary medical treatment with chiropractic care.

By Kent Greenawalt "I wish you had come to me first." How many times have you either said this or at least thought it when working with a patient who came to you only after seeing a barrage of doctors for their problem? While there are some issues that require surgery, oftentimes a person could prevent surgery and avoid unnecessary medical treatment with chiropractic care. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56364 2013-02-15T12:00:32-07:00 2013-02-15T12:00:07-07:00

Last year [May 20, 2012 issue], Dr. Tom Necela wrote an article about audits - how to "Protect Against and Profit From Them." It was all about looking at your records and stats, recognizing the issues and correcting the problems. Toward the end of the article, he advocated a self-audit to make sure your documentation is up to par.

By Douglas R. Briggs, DC, Dipl. Ac. (IAMA), DAAPM Last year [May 20, 2012 issue], Dr. Tom Necela wrote an article about audits - how to "Protect Against and Profit From Them." It was all about looking at your records and stats, recognizing the issues and correcting the problems. Toward the end of the article, he advocated a self-audit to make sure your documentation is up to par. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56361 2013-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

Every three years chiropractors are included in the annual Gallop Poll on Honesty and Ethics in Professions, in which adults are asked to rate the honesty and ethics of various professions. In 2012, 22 professions were included in the poll, six of which were in health care.

By G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN Every three years chiropractors are included in the annual Gallop Poll on Honesty and Ethics in Professions, in which adults are asked to rate the honesty and ethics of various professions. In 2012, 22 professions were included in the poll, six of which were in health care. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56338 2013-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

In recent years, software systems have emerged with a fresh twist on learning new languages. The twist is referred to as "total immersion," and it places emphasis on hearing and speaking a language. This is aided by viewing pictures representative of the items and activities the words describe. Reading and writing the language are often included, but they are secondary. This is contrary to the methods American public schools have used for years, where reading and writing a language is the primary method of instruction.

By K. Jeffrey Miller, DC, DABCO In recent years, software systems have emerged with a fresh twist on learning new languages. The twist is referred to as "total immersion," and it places emphasis on hearing and speaking a language. This is aided by viewing pictures representative of the items and activities the words describe. Reading and writing the language are often included, but they are secondary. This is contrary to the methods American public schools have used for years, where reading and writing a language is the primary method of instruction. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56304 2013-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

In the past 12 months, I have observed a significant increase in inquiries both from chiropractors looking to begin the move toward retirement and buyers wishing to purchase all or part of a practice at the start of their careers. Admittedly, with the rapidly changing model of health care, the uncertainty of how the political process will affect Medicare, the ever-present threat of post-payment audits and the onset of ICD-10 looming in the headlights, the chiropractic landscape will definitely not be the same as it was 10 or 20 years ago. For some older docs, this is enough to stimulate thoughts of how they will transition out of chiropractic practice.

By Tom Necela, DC In the past 12 months, I have observed a significant increase in inquiries both from chiropractors looking to begin the move toward retirement and buyers wishing to purchase all or part of a practice at the start of their careers. Admittedly, with the rapidly changing model of health care, the uncertainty of how the political process will affect Medicare, the ever-present threat of post-payment audits and the onset of ICD-10 looming in the headlights, the chiropractic landscape will definitely not be the same as it was 10 or 20 years ago. For some older docs, this is enough to stimulate thoughts of how they will transition out of chiropractic practice. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56298 2013-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2013-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

Building a successful chiropractic practice can be a competitive business. You must continually advance your practice by attracting new patients, maintaining the ones you already have and incorporating new technologies and techniques. This is something you must do continually or your practice will stagnate rather than expand. Here are a few simple strategies to advance your practice in the new year and beyond.

By Mark Sanna, DC, ACRB Level II, FICC Building a successful chiropractic practice can be a competitive business. You must continually advance your practice by attracting new patients, maintaining the ones you already have and incorporating new technologies and techniques. This is something you must do continually or your practice will stagnate rather than expand. Here are a few simple strategies to advance your practice in the new year and beyond. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-56280 2012-12-16T12:00:32-07:00 2012-12-16T12:00:07-07:00

Back in the old days, you would ask a neighbor, a co-worker or a trusted friend for their opinion regarding a good restaurant, hairdresser or doctor. Today, we go straight to the Internet and read the opinions of people we have never met (and never will). We make many of our choices not based upon relationships, but on appearances: Is the Web site easy to navigate? Can I find the information I'm looking for? Are the graphics appealing? What special features does the Web site have that help me decide (restaurant menus, video demonstrations, etc.)? What do the review Web sites say?

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher Back in the old days, you would ask a neighbor, a co-worker or a trusted friend for their opinion regarding a good restaurant, hairdresser or doctor. Today, we go straight to the Internet and read the opinions of people we have never met (and never will). We make many of our choices not based upon relationships, but on appearances: Is the Web site easy to navigate? Can I find the information I'm looking for? Are the graphics appealing? What special features does the Web site have that help me decide (restaurant menus, video demonstrations, etc.)? What do the review Web sites say?