Many chiropractic state boards of examiners are currently wrestling with the issues surrounding the current use of research to recruit patients. Most boards are concerned with how to protect patients while allowing reasonable marketing practices by chiropractors.
Recently, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners has proposed a regulation that they hope will adequately address the problem. This proposed regulation would be an amendment to section 317 which addresses the area of Unprofessional Conduct. The proposed regulation is as follows:
317. Unprofessional Conduct.
X. Receipt by a chiropractic doctor of any compensation for professional services from any person who was in a research program with which such chiropractic doctor was associated unless such person was fully and completely informed in writing at least five (5) days in advance of the commencement of such research that such person would be solicited to become a paying patient of such chiropractic doctor. Such disclosure in order to be complete must include an accurate statement of the percentage of research subjects from such research program who have been solicited as patients or offered the opportunity to become patients in the past and shall include such disclosure of the probable cost of the services that will be offered to such research subject.
A full hearing is scheduled to take place early next year. It will be interesting to see if this does in fact become California's regulation for dealing with this issue. This "full disclosure" approach could well be a model for other states.
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?
