tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 %ISSUE_DATE%T09:25:32-07:00 Technology and its use in the profession. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55699 2012-01-15T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-15T12:00:07-07:00

I'm going to show you why current Internet marketing is not only needed, but also a crucial part of your marketing strategy. If you don't get started today, you will be left behind. If you take action now, you'll be surprised by the amount of leads you will generate for your practice. You'll also be able to track negative comments about your practice and stop bad publicity in its tracks.

By Jasper Sidhu, BSc, DC I'm going to show you why current Internet marketing is not only needed, but also a crucial part of your marketing strategy. If you don't get started today, you will be left behind. If you take action now, you'll be surprised by the amount of leads you will generate for your practice. You'll also be able to track negative comments about your practice and stop bad publicity in its tracks. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55558 2011-09-23T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-23T12:00:07-07:00

Ever wonder what's driving the consumer public's opinion of chiropractic in the United States? You might be surprised. In the past, you might have blamed organized medicine, drug companies or others for negative opinions about chiropractic. Today, things are different.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher Ever wonder what's driving the consumer public's opinion of chiropractic in the United States? You might be surprised. In the past, you might have blamed organized medicine, drug companies or others for negative opinions about chiropractic. Today, things are different. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55486 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

With a priority on investing as much of every dollar on patient care as possible, doctors of chiropractic are looking for cost-effective ways to reduce capital expenditures as their practices grow and exit the Internet technology (IT) business. Moving IT services to the cloud offers a compelling alternative to provisioning IT the traditional way. Instead of staffing an IT team and buying and maintaining costly infrastructure and hardware, think of the cloud as "renting" a pre-built infrastructure and IT services. We moved all of our IT to the cloud and it has been the best technology decision we have ever made.

By Jay Greenstein, DC, CCSP, CGFI-L1, CKTP With a priority on investing as much of every dollar on patient care as possible, doctors of chiropractic are looking for cost-effective ways to reduce capital expenditures as their practices grow and exit the Internet technology (IT) business. Moving IT services to the cloud offers a compelling alternative to provisioning IT the traditional way. Instead of staffing an IT team and buying and maintaining costly infrastructure and hardware, think of the cloud as "renting" a pre-built infrastructure and IT services. We moved all of our IT to the cloud and it has been the best technology decision we have ever made. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55186 2011-02-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-02-26T12:00:07-07:00

Although academia is often accused of being slow to change and a little too fond of well-worn traditions, colleges and universities are the clear "early adopters" in using social media to reach out to their "customers." In one of the first statistically significant, longitudinal studies on the use of social media by college admissions offices, the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found 85 percent of college admissions offices use at least one form of social media, most often social networking, video blogging and blogging.

By Guy Riekeman, DC, President, Life University Although academia is often accused of being slow to change and a little too fond of well-worn traditions, colleges and universities are the clear "early adopters" in using social media to reach out to their "customers." In one of the first statistically significant, longitudinal studies on the use of social media by college admissions offices, the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found 85 percent of college admissions offices use at least one form of social media, most often social networking, video blogging and blogging. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54986 2010-11-04T12:00:32-07:00 2010-11-04T12:00:07-07:00

When someone is injured in a motor vehicle collision and takes their case before a jury, they often find themselves face to face with a rather challenging dilemma. There is a fairly substantial general bias in America concerning injuries that are not obvious, especially when the claimant has hired a lawyer. The magnitude of this bias is reflected in several surveys of the general public. Two areas in particular are frequently misunderstood by most laypersons (and even by many in the health care fields): mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) and the long-term residual clinical effects that sometimes result, and whiplash injuries.

By Arthur Croft, DC, MS, MPH, FACO When someone is injured in a motor vehicle collision and takes their case before a jury, they often find themselves face to face with a rather challenging dilemma. There is a fairly substantial general bias in America concerning injuries that are not obvious, especially when the claimant has hired a lawyer. The magnitude of this bias is reflected in several surveys of the general public. Two areas in particular are frequently misunderstood by most laypersons (and even by many in the health care fields): mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) and the long-term residual clinical effects that sometimes result, and whiplash injuries. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54958 2010-11-18T12:00:32-07:00 2010-11-18T12:00:07-07:00

After months of speculation, commentary and debate regarding whether chiropractors would be able to qualify for meaningful use incentives from Medicare for appropriate use of electronic health records, the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) has provided us with a definitive answer. When the commission, which was named an official certifying body by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology in August, posted a list of the first EHR software systems to receive full certification - meaning the system is fully certified to allow users to meet meaningful use criteria under the commission's new ONC-ATCB program - SuiteMed IMS was on the list. CCCHIT posted the list on Oct. 1, 2010.

By Editorial Staff After months of speculation, commentary and debate regarding whether chiropractors would be able to qualify for meaningful use incentives from Medicare for appropriate use of electronic health records, the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) has provided us with a definitive answer. When the commission, which was named an official certifying body by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology in August, posted a list of the first EHR software systems to receive full certification - meaning the system is fully certified to allow users to meet meaningful use criteria under the commission's new ONC-ATCB program - SuiteMed IMS was on the list. CCCHIT posted the list on Oct. 1, 2010. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54887 2010-09-09T12:00:32-07:00 2010-09-09T12:00:07-07:00

As a businessperson and health care professional, undoubtedly you have heard a lot about the new digital landscape as a driving force in marketing and business growth. To some, it's become a "must" to blog, tweet and have a Facebook page for your business if you want to be up to date and interacting with your clients and patients. While this brave new world of e-marketing certainly demands using a different medium to connect with others, the basic approach to marketing remains the same. That means your marketing strategy should suit your practice, your budget and the people you're trying to reach.

By Randy Gerson As a businessperson and health care professional, undoubtedly you have heard a lot about the new digital landscape as a driving force in marketing and business growth. To some, it's become a "must" to blog, tweet and have a Facebook page for your business if you want to be up to date and interacting with your clients and patients. While this brave new world of e-marketing certainly demands using a different medium to connect with others, the basic approach to marketing remains the same. That means your marketing strategy should suit your practice, your budget and the people you're trying to reach. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54876 2010-08-25T12:00:32-07:00 2010-08-25T12:00:07-07:00

DALLAS, Aug. 24, 2010 -- Parker College of Chiropractic has awarded three chiropractic research grants of $4,000 each. The grant recipients include Cleveland Chiropractic College, University of Kansas Medical Center, Southern California University of Health Sciences, and Osher Clinical Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

By Editorial Staff DALLAS, Aug. 24, 2010 -- Parker College of Chiropractic has awarded three chiropractic research grants of $4,000 each. The grant recipients include Cleveland Chiropractic College, University of Kansas Medical Center, Southern California University of Health Sciences, and Osher Clinical Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54774 2010-07-15T12:00:32-07:00 2010-07-15T12:00:07-07:00

Cloud computing will likely permanently change the way you interact with your clinic records and your software. This transition to data on the cloud, an Internet-accessible database, is going to shift the way you practice. Last month, I outlined a vision of how our profession could finally be recognized for our contribution to our nation's health - a future I believe is just around the corner. An important part of this vision is the way "computing on the cloud" is going to change the security and accessibility of our clinical and patient data.

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC Cloud computing will likely permanently change the way you interact with your clinic records and your software. This transition to data on the cloud, an Internet-accessible database, is going to shift the way you practice. Last month, I outlined a vision of how our profession could finally be recognized for our contribution to our nation's health - a future I believe is just around the corner. An important part of this vision is the way "computing on the cloud" is going to change the security and accessibility of our clinical and patient data. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54688 2010-06-03T12:00:32-07:00 2010-06-03T12:00:07-07:00

My patient described his symptoms to me: fever that waxed and waned for over a week, general body aching, headache, stiff neck and fatigue. He had done his own research on the "Web," searching the best health and medical sites, and had come to a conclusion as to what disease was causing his suffering. He was sure he had malaria.

By John Hanks, DC My patient described his symptoms to me: fever that waxed and waned for over a week, general body aching, headache, stiff neck and fatigue. He had done his own research on the "Web," searching the best health and medical sites, and had come to a conclusion as to what disease was causing his suffering. He was sure he had malaria. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54531 2010-03-12T12:00:32-07:00 2010-03-12T12:00:07-07:00

Chiro-Spam: Reflecting Poorly on Our Profession. Dear Editor: We are certain that everyone in the chiropractic profession is barraged by spam - useless and intrusive e-mail. Everyone with an e-mail address likely receives offers for cheap drugs, get-rich-quick schemes, sex-oriented advertisements, and other garbage. Weeding though these e-mails is a major annoyance and leaves one wondering who actually replies to them, since without responses those sending them would eventually stop.

Chiro-Spam: Reflecting Poorly on Our Profession. Dear Editor: We are certain that everyone in the chiropractic profession is barraged by spam - useless and intrusive e-mail. Everyone with an e-mail address likely receives offers for cheap drugs, get-rich-quick schemes, sex-oriented advertisements, and other garbage. Weeding though these e-mails is a major annoyance and leaves one wondering who actually replies to them, since without responses those sending them would eventually stop. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54529 2010-03-12T12:00:32-07:00 2010-03-12T12:00:07-07:00

In talking with doctors and some new vendors, I've discovered that a disturbing trend appears to be re-emerging. While you probably already know about this, it is worth repeating, even if it only serves as a reminder. Early in the last decade, a Canadian company began selling Web sites with an e-commerce component. The package was very attractive in that a doctor didn't need to do anything to manage the e-commerce portion of their site. The Web site company had already created a relationship with one of the top chiropractic distributors and was going to sell its products to doctors' patients through each doctor's site. The doctor would receive a percentage of every sale simply for giving the Web site company the ability to sell on their site. The commissions from the sales were expected to more than pay for the Web site.

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher In talking with doctors and some new vendors, I've discovered that a disturbing trend appears to be re-emerging. While you probably already know about this, it is worth repeating, even if it only serves as a reminder. Early in the last decade, a Canadian company began selling Web sites with an e-commerce component. The package was very attractive in that a doctor didn't need to do anything to manage the e-commerce portion of their site. The Web site company had already created a relationship with one of the top chiropractic distributors and was going to sell its products to doctors' patients through each doctor's site. The doctor would receive a percentage of every sale simply for giving the Web site company the ability to sell on their site. The commissions from the sales were expected to more than pay for the Web site. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54449 2010-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

Chiropractic is structure and function, not just symptoms. How many times have you heard a similar phrase used by you or one of your peers? Chiropractors of all practice styles hold a strong conviction that chiropractic is ultimately about functional improvement, regardless of the diversity of ways in which we try to improve that function. And in the near future, we're going to be asked to put our money where our mouth is and prove it to CMS, payer networks and even the federal government. But without adopting the latest technology in clinic management, we won't have the tools to show what we really can do, and that might permanently cut us out of the health care loop.

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC Chiropractic is structure and function, not just symptoms. How many times have you heard a similar phrase used by you or one of your peers? Chiropractors of all practice styles hold a strong conviction that chiropractic is ultimately about functional improvement, regardless of the diversity of ways in which we try to improve that function. And in the near future, we're going to be asked to put our money where our mouth is and prove it to CMS, payer networks and even the federal government. But without adopting the latest technology in clinic management, we won't have the tools to show what we really can do, and that might permanently cut us out of the health care loop. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54349 2009-12-02T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-02T12:00:07-07:00

When times are tough, small-business owners often start cutting back on marketing to save money. Big mistake! In today's economy, it is vital to step up your marketing so you stand out from the competition. While everyone else is retreating and patiently waiting for things to get better, you will be out on the front lines ensuring your practice thrives. The strategy involves making smart decisions in how and where you choose to market. You must have a game plan for success - a battle plan, if you will - in order to attract customers. Here are five low-cost ways to keep yourself visible and in demand.

By Perry Nickelston, DC, FMS, SFMA When times are tough, small-business owners often start cutting back on marketing to save money. Big mistake! In today's economy, it is vital to step up your marketing so you stand out from the competition. While everyone else is retreating and patiently waiting for things to get better, you will be out on the front lines ensuring your practice thrives. The strategy involves making smart decisions in how and where you choose to market. You must have a game plan for success - a battle plan, if you will - in order to attract customers. Here are five low-cost ways to keep yourself visible and in demand. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54338 2009-12-02T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-02T12:00:07-07:00

What was controversial four years ago, but not anymore? How about the following three statements: (1) More chiropractors will adopt electronic documentation in the near future. (2) Medicare will increase audits of chiropractors. (3) Electronic health records (EHR) will be mandated. These are predictions made by me and several others in the profession dating as far back as 2005. To some degree, all three have come true. On the eve of a health care overhaul, there is no better time to look back, see how we got here and realize that the times really are changing.

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC What was controversial four years ago, but not anymore? How about the following three statements: (1) More chiropractors will adopt electronic documentation in the near future. (2) Medicare will increase audits of chiropractors. (3) Electronic health records (EHR) will be mandated. These are predictions made by me and several others in the profession dating as far back as 2005. To some degree, all three have come true. On the eve of a health care overhaul, there is no better time to look back, see how we got here and realize that the times really are changing. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-54037 2009-09-09T12:00:32-07:00 2009-09-09T12:00:07-07:00

We've all heard about best practices, but how do they apply to our day-to-day business? When industry-best solutions, interoperability and patient history are rolled up into one tool, both DCs and patients gain an increased level of confidence in the clinical decision-making process. This type of technology serves the practice well in the short term (through efficiencies) as well as the long term (to chart a visible action plan for necessary ongoing treatment).

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC We've all heard about best practices, but how do they apply to our day-to-day business? When industry-best solutions, interoperability and patient history are rolled up into one tool, both DCs and patients gain an increased level of confidence in the clinical decision-making process. This type of technology serves the practice well in the short term (through efficiencies) as well as the long term (to chart a visible action plan for necessary ongoing treatment). tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-53972 2009-08-12T12:00:32-07:00 2009-08-12T12:00:07-07:00

By now, you have likely heard about the controversial report that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released in May 2009. One of the most alarming aspects of this new report is its booming title: "Inappropriate Medicare Payments for Chiropractic Services." The timing of the report's release (at the cusp of national health care reform) is equally intriguing. My firm stance is that the results in this report would have been considerably more favorable if the chiropractic physicians studied were using electronic health records (EHRs) and digital documentation that could have guided them toward compliant Medicare notes. Why wasn't that the case? Read on.

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC By now, you have likely heard about the controversial report that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released in May 2009. One of the most alarming aspects of this new report is its booming title: "Inappropriate Medicare Payments for Chiropractic Services." The timing of the report's release (at the cusp of national health care reform) is equally intriguing. My firm stance is that the results in this report would have been considerably more favorable if the chiropractic physicians studied were using electronic health records (EHRs) and digital documentation that could have guided them toward compliant Medicare notes. Why wasn't that the case? Read on. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-53922 2009-07-15T12:00:32-07:00 2009-07-15T12:00:07-07:00

This spring, I traveled extensively to Washington, D.C., for a variety of reasons, mainly to advocate on behalf of chiropractic physicians as our government initiates massive health care reform efforts. I attended the HL-7 Conference, which is an invitation-only gathering of health care officials dedicated to setting the programming standards for health information exchanges (HIEs) and standards for required data for electronic health records (EHRs).

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC This spring, I traveled extensively to Washington, D.C., for a variety of reasons, mainly to advocate on behalf of chiropractic physicians as our government initiates massive health care reform efforts. I attended the HL-7 Conference, which is an invitation-only gathering of health care officials dedicated to setting the programming standards for health information exchanges (HIEs) and standards for required data for electronic health records (EHRs). tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-53855 2009-06-17T12:00:32-07:00 2009-06-17T12:00:07-07:00

I have been spending a lot of time in Washington, D.C., meeting with government officials at White House Forums and on college campuses, doing interviews, and speaking with members of health care panels; the trends in the industry are becoming readily apparent. Patient-centered care, supported by technology, is all the rage, and chiropractic physicians need to ask themselves these fundamental questions: Are we going to be a part of the reform solution or remain on an isolated island as a fringe provider group? Do we want to be left out of the equation?

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC I have been spending a lot of time in Washington, D.C., meeting with government officials at White House Forums and on college campuses, doing interviews, and speaking with members of health care panels; the trends in the industry are becoming readily apparent. Patient-centered care, supported by technology, is all the rage, and chiropractic physicians need to ask themselves these fundamental questions: Are we going to be a part of the reform solution or remain on an isolated island as a fringe provider group? Do we want to be left out of the equation? tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-53706 2009-03-26T12:00:32-07:00 2009-03-26T12:00:07-07:00

In this day and age, virtually every company has a Web site. If your business doesn't have one, chances are your customers, competition, investors, friends and even your spouse or significant other are talking about the fact that you don't have one. The comments probably go something like this: "I cannot believe Dr. X does not have a site. What a dinosaur." Worse than not having a Web site, however, is having one that is nice to look at, but functionally useless. While creating and maintaining a site is almost mandatory in terms of public perception, how well it is designed and whether it attracts customers are two entirely different stories.

By Chandler George, DC In this day and age, virtually every company has a Web site. If your business doesn't have one, chances are your customers, competition, investors, friends and even your spouse or significant other are talking about the fact that you don't have one. The comments probably go something like this: "I cannot believe Dr. X does not have a site. What a dinosaur." Worse than not having a Web site, however, is having one that is nice to look at, but functionally useless. While creating and maintaining a site is almost mandatory in terms of public perception, how well it is designed and whether it attracts customers are two entirely different stories. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-53269 2008-06-17T12:00:32-07:00 2008-06-17T12:00:07-07:00

Personal health records (PHRs) - it's a new acronym used to describe the future revolution in health care data management. PHRs are revolutionary because they place patients in charge of managing their own health records on a completely digital interface. Just a couple of years ago, electronic health records (EHRs) seemed like science fiction. Now we're talking about patients walking out of our offices with their exam findings and SOAP notes in hand, not on paper but on their flash stick or sent encrypted via the Internet. The digital age is here!

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC Personal health records (PHRs) - it's a new acronym used to describe the future revolution in health care data management. PHRs are revolutionary because they place patients in charge of managing their own health records on a completely digital interface. Just a couple of years ago, electronic health records (EHRs) seemed like science fiction. Now we're talking about patients walking out of our offices with their exam findings and SOAP notes in hand, not on paper but on their flash stick or sent encrypted via the Internet. The digital age is here! tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-53258 2008-06-17T12:00:32-07:00 2008-06-17T12:00:07-07:00

By now, many of you are aware of the catastrophic server failure that struck our clinic. I have a clinic with 10 computer clients, all of whom work to the max all day long. A business-class server runs this entire client system. We also have a terminal service, remote dial-in and a SonicWALL hard firewall. Pretty much bulletproof (for three years and one week). One week out of warranty, the server fails.

By John Hayes Jr., DC, MS, DACBO By now, many of you are aware of the catastrophic server failure that struck our clinic. I have a clinic with 10 computer clients, all of whom work to the max all day long. A business-class server runs this entire client system. We also have a terminal service, remote dial-in and a SonicWALL hard firewall. Pretty much bulletproof (for three years and one week). One week out of warranty, the server fails. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-53219 2008-05-20T12:00:32-07:00 2008-05-20T12:00:07-07:00

Buyer's remorse. It's that sick feeling we get when we realize the thing we just bought isn't what we needed. We acted on an impulse or incomplete information, and now we're stuck with something that reminds us of our bad decision.

By Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, FICC Buyer's remorse. It's that sick feeling we get when we realize the thing we just bought isn't what we needed. We acted on an impulse or incomplete information, and now we're stuck with something that reminds us of our bad decision. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-50266 2005-06-18T12:00:32-07:00 2005-06-18T12:00:07-07:00

By Editorial Staff tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-46236 2004-05-20T12:00:32-07:00 2004-05-20T12:00:07-07:00

By Steven Savoie, DC, DABCO tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-46215 2004-05-06T12:00:32-07:00 2004-05-06T12:00:07-07:00

By James Edwards, DC tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-46196 2004-04-22T12:00:32-07:00 2004-04-22T12:00:07-07:00

By Peter Osborne, DC, DACBN