"If most doctors are like me, [they are] isolated physically and professionally. I do not make the time to connect with other doctors and also a lot of doctors do not want to be connected for a lot of reasons. Dynamic Chiropractic keeps me grounded and connected. If you don't stay connected and grounded, you burn out."
We received the comment above in a recent e-mail from a doctor of chiropractic practicing in the United States. And while this DC does practice in a smaller town (with approximately 30 other DCs), his sentiments echo what I have heard from many doctors over the past 30-plus years. It actually makes perfect sense.
To be a successful doctor of chiropractic, you have to possess certain qualities. These include courage, persistence and the willingness to go against the flow of modern medicine. There is a certain rugged individualism that typifies the chiropractic spirit.
My father had it and so did my grandfather. They had a resiliency that kept them sharing chiropractic to patients, friends and anyone who would listen. They were willing to confront what was considered "common knowledge," even if it made people uncomfortable.
If you are in a solo practice, you can probably identify with this doctor's comment. If you are part of a joint practice, you may feel this way to a lesser degree. In either case, there are likely times you feel alone in your struggle to bring the benefits of chiropractic to your community.
Staying "connected" is the key to maintaining your stamina and enthusiasm. But you have to be willing to work at it. Like every relationship, connecting with other doctors of chiropractic will cost you time and energy. It will also require you to be accessible and transparent, something you may not be willing to do; but the benefits certainly outweigh the costs.
Our health care world is changing dramatically. We all need to adapt to those changes in order to survive and hopefully thrive. New practice models may be needed to make you more efficient. New technology will be required in order to care for your patients at the level they will be expecting.
Connecting with other DCs gives you the opportunity to discuss challenges and share solutions. You will gain insight into the future and solace in knowing you are not alone. Camaraderie and fellowship make you part of a team, rather than a loner. Here are four practical ways to get (and stay) connected:
Staying connected is not an option; it is necessary for your professional health. As the doctor who emailed us emphasized: "If you don't stay connected and grounded, you burn out."
Read more findings on my blog: http://blog.toyourhealth.com/wrblog/. You can also visit me on Facebook.
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?
