Computers have revolutionized many industries and businesses in the past few years. You may not know it, but almost all of Dynamic Chiropractic is typeset by computer, including most of the photographs. Needless to say, computers have changed the very core of typesetting to allow publishers control and capability that only typesetting companies once enjoyed.
The very essence of the concept of computerization is "CONTROL." This is obviously a two-sided coin. While we are thrilled to be able to do all of our typesetting in-house, the typesetting and photographic services that we used in the past aren't so happy. The net result for us is reduced costs and a better looking, more readable publication. The net result for the companies that used to provide those services is a serious loss of income.
The computer revolution in typesetting is adding jobs to companies who publish, but taking jobs away from companies who typeset. Desktop publishing is taking typesetting through a metamorphosis that has forced many typesetting companies to either make radical changes or perish.
In the most recent newsletter of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), the agency reports the awarding of 17 contracts to small businesses to "work in one of three areas: the American Disabilities Act (ADA), family primary care reminders, and the Department of Health and Human Services 'Healthy People 2000' objectives." The AHCPR has awarded "contracts for approximately $50,000 each under the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program" for some very interesting projects.
Eight of 17 contracts awarded were for primary care reminder computer programs. This is how these programs are described:
"a software tool that enables individuals to create a primary care plan for themselves and/or family members."If you are beginning to get the picture, it should scare you to death!"a microcomputer-based system to help families track the health care needs of their members and obtain timely preventive care."
"an intelligence tool for personal computers to assist families with health maintenance."
"an expert system that will run on home computers to collect preventive medical histories directly from family members, then use the histories to make tailored preventive health care recommendations, based on practice guidelines stored on its knowledge base."
"a PC-based data base and user interface, which incorporate a consensus of the preventive care guidelines accepted by the clinical community, the federal government, and other relevant entities. The data base will provide the average family with the ability to describe each member in sufficient detail to receive a primary care management plan consistent with their descriptions for scheduling appointments with health care providers."
Without viable practice guidelines, inclusion as primary care providers and involvement in the development in these types of patient primary care reminder systems, chiropractic care could be eliminated with the push of a button on your patient's home computer. Patient health care choices could be made from a computer program that doesn't even acknowledge the existence of chiropractic!
The good news is that almost every one of these programs includes "preventive health care recommendations." This is where chiropractic can really shine. All we need is the research necessary to prove our place in preventative health care.
Computers are in the process of revolutionizing health care. It won't be too long before they begin preliminary diagnoses of family members and making appointments. There has never been a more critical time in our history for chiropractic research to show our effectiveness in other areas besides musculoskeletal.
These computer programs will be based on the scientific literature. The chiropractic profession must make an all-out effort now, while many of the factors that will affect our future are still on the drawing board.
If you have the time to read this article, you have the time to write out a check for $25 and send it to:
MPI-AMA Challenge
P.O. Box 6070
Huntington Beach, CA 92705
Or better yet, call 1-800-359-2289 to contribute by Visa or MasterCard.
All proceeds will be contributed to the Consortium for Chiropractic Research to be used for other than low back research (please see this issue's front page article "AMA Challenges Chiropractic Profession"). Should you decide that our future needs more than a $25 donation, Dynamic Chiropractic will publicly recognize all donors of $100 or more.
Don't let your patient's computer database tell them that chiropractic care isn't appropriate for anything other than low back care.
DMP Jr., BS, HCD(hc)
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
