AJCC 2003

October 2003

Things To Do!

by R. J. Hammett, D.C.

When success in practice happens, it’s because of precise preparation and perspiration. The basis for practice growth and success never change, yet most chiropractors fall into two categories. One that goes to every practice building seminar, or post-graduate seminars leading to a diplomate, or those who never attend any seminars except those for continuing education. Most, if not all, practice success can be found in this simple phrase, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” This phrase should be on your desk to see every morning, for it sets the tone of your practice and your life. Yes, we must have an enthusiastic, well-trained and committed staff. But, the buck stops and starts on your desk. Before you start, where are you strong? Technique, communication? Where are you weak? Paperwork? Speed? The seminars you take should address your weaknesses.

For you seminar junkies, let me give you a hint; the only seminars worth their weight in practice gold are those seminars that do two things. First, expand your consciousness about serving all types of patients with all types of conditions. Second, are seminars that help you find, assess, and correct vertebral subluxation complexes. So it’s simple, find seminars that increase your desire to serve more, and allow you to deliver the results that are readily seen by you and your partners. So, with this in mind, what about those things to do?

Practice Success!

1. Are you technically competent? Can you prove to yourself, and especially another chiropractor, what you adjusted, what needed to be adjusted, and was corrected? When were you done? Are you just popping bones and praying you’ll get the right combination?

2. Are you educating patients? Doing a weekly class? Handing out literature for those first 4 to 6 visits? Are you really listening to patients? Are your visits short? Are you over-adjusting patients? Speaking about Chiropractic only?

3. Are you open when patients need the care? Do you accept walk-ins, call-ins? Can you easily process 2 or 3 new patients scheduled at the same time, and adjust 10 to 20 patients during the same hour, without anyone feeling rushed?

4. Are your fees in line? Not too cheap, but not too expensive? How about your initial cash exam and x-rays, can the McDonald’s worker afford to get an exam and x-rays at your clinic? Do you offer at least 3 to 5 different payment plans?

5. Is the staff with you, or are they just hanging out until the next job comes along? Does your staff take over and run your clinic? If not, why not? Think of it this way, if all of your staff are really running the clinic as if it were their own, would you not have more time to adjust, educate and focus on providing the best care anywhere? Believe me when I say, we all keep or hire staff that cripples our ability to grow and serve patients. Basically, the staff runs, and promotes the growth of the office; the doctor is along for the ride. Get out of their way.

6. Debt Free. The last thing to do is to be debt free, with lots of money saved. Being debt free, with lots of money will not make you happy (practice and life does), but it will give you many options not available to most chiropractors. Mainly, more time off, less weekly clinic hours, more power when dealing with clinic finances. The ability to make choices on the patients you want to treat. Financial freedom opens up a world that has no limits, but first you must get there A.S.A.P. Are there more basics, yes! But these are the building blocks that must be mastered first before any substantial growth can be achieved. Remember, others have achieved, and sustained practice success, so can you.

If it’s to be, it’s up to you!

‘Til next time. . .