Chiropractic, and the health care industry in general, is undergoing a turbulent period. The health care professions are experiencing a change in attitudes from the consumer-public and regulating agencies that significantly impacts chiropractic.
"Ethics" has become a watch-word for the 90s. The compunction to "clean our house" has compelling and serious origins. An unhealthy vein of unethical practitioners of questionable practice management services has resulted in an avalanche of suits and counter-suits that are being adjudicated in courts across the country.
Insurance fraud detection programs have been launched in an effort to expose and rectify the abusers of care practice. Health fraud detection agencies have joined hands with the insurance industry to form a cooperative alliance in combatting violations.
Amid the chaos, ethical practice consultants struggle to balance out the unscrupulous practice of others and to stay afloat in a very stormy sea.
A mandate's been given, and the prudent will heed: The health care professions must keep their house clean or face the harsh consequences.
Business management expertise is a valuable commodity. The chiropractic profession can be well served by practice consultants who have the business acumen and their clients' interests at heart. The profession needs consultants who are less concerned about their percentage and more concerned about enhancing a practice through sound business advice, without resorting to unethical schemes for their self-aggrandizement.
In order to assist the DC in practice who feels the pressure of the "business of being in business" or simply wants to stay on the cutting edge of his profession, Dynamic Chiropractic is introducing a new column titled, "Practice Enhancement." Unlike most of our columns, the Practice Enhancement column is open to all chiropractic practice management consultants. It is our hope that their combined wisdom and shared insights will pave the way for an ethical and prosperous environment for chiropractic in the 90s.
We believe it is appropriate that we begin our first column with an open letter to the profession from the grand eclesiarch of practice consultants, Dr. William Harris. Dr. Harris has been a member of the chiropractic profession for over 50 years and while his message is brief, it captures the spirit of a new resolve for the ethical advancement of chiropractic.
Future contributors of the Practice Enhancement column may submit exclusive manuscripts to:
Dynamic Chiropractic
Practice Enhancement Column
P.O. Box 6100
Huntington Beach, California 92615
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?
