The Family Practice Library is a system developed by Dr. Eric Plasker. Many chiropractors have asked, "Isn't there something to guide me through developing a true chiropractic family practice?" This library may be the answer to that question.
Dr. Plasker has developed a multivolume series that contains the written materials necessary to implement this system in the chiropractic office, and a number of CDs to use for doctor, staff and patient education. It should be understood that this library will best serve those doctors looking to establish subluxation-based family practices. Although there are many references to cash-based practices, this series primarily addresses the issues faced by offices that accept insurance. In reading through this material, I found it well-written and in a format that can be introduced easily into any chiropractic practice. The high-quality audio and video material are equally well-done.
Volume One of this series introduces the Fast Start System, which provides the reader with the essential information needed to began utilizing The Family Practice Library. It provides contact lists for additional support services, and outlines the doctor's responsibilities to make the system work.
Volume Two discusses the New Patient System. It outlines the family practice paradigm and focuses on the first three visits the patient makes to the chiropractic office. There are scripts for new patient telephone communication, as well as for communication following the patient's first visit. The CDs included with this volume explain how to master the first three visits and introduce the patient properly to chiropractic care. This volume also outlines how to develop an active life plan for a patient and how to report unusual findings to the patient. There is a new-patient tracking system and detailed discussion of how to perform a family practice consultation.
Volume Three is devoted to a Communications System for doctors, staff and patients. Emphasis is placed on the "magic visit" Dr. Plasker uses to describe devoting full attention to each patient on each visit. As is so eloquently stated in the notes, "It doesn't matter how many patients we see, we still see them one at a time." This communications system also includes in-depth material regarding situational confidence, providing the CA with detailed scripts to use in scheduling patients. The communications system also discusses the appropriate time to present a patient with a wellness plan and what are called "dynamic exams." Also included are a number of letters (27 to be exact) addressing the wide variety of situations that can occur in a busy office.
Volume Four covers the Financial System of The Family Practice Library. It includes forms for setting office fee schedules in financial policies and for developing corrective adjustment plans in wellness adjustment plans. There is a section on office policies and procedures, and a sample personal and family health history. There are chapters that discuss managing accounts receivable and insurance collections, and excellent information for the doctor who wants to switch from an insurance practice to a cash-based practice. Other sections discuss how to establish fees and how to feel confident in presenting fee and care plans to patients.
Volume Five in the series focuses on Office Efficiency. It begins by discussing the various scenarios facing chiropractic offices, including low new patients with low retention; high new patients with low retention; learned patients with high retention; and high new patients with high retention, and how to use this system to correct and improve each of these situations. Also discussed in this volume is a way to schedule a doctor's time to make it most efficient; hiring staff, including how to develop and place proper ads, how to conduct an interview, and issues of compensation and reward for employees; and appointments and the concept of an appointment system. Samples of the forms are included on the accompanying CD.
Volume Six is the Referral System. It discusses how to prepare the various folders and forms to be presented to new patients, as well as how to track your referral system. There is also discussion about personalizing the lifetime-care packages for report of findings to individuals and groups. Dr. Plasker identifies 14 prime-time referral opportunities that occur in the course of care: for example, the initial exam, at the report, after a dynamic exam, when staff members meet someone outside of your office, etc. There is also a sample letter for reactivating old patients.
The final volume, the Marketing System, contains 300 pages of information for the doctor to use in marketing his or her family practice. It includes instruction on the differences between internal and external marketing, and how to market the "lifetime chiropractic for everyone" plan. There are relationship marketing scripts for the doctor to use; directions on setting up and maintaining a marketing calendar; creating a grassroots marketing effort; utilizing local news for marketing your practice; and an excellent section discussing the "who, what, where, when, why and how" of conducting a successful spinal screening that includes all the necessary information on conducting a screening. A key element of the Marketing System is the "Human Potential Program." This program will enable the doctor to conduct talks on the potential of the human being in the community and show how chiropractic can play a role in everyone reaching their potential. There is a detailed lecture included for the doctor to learn. All of the materials necessary for these marketing ideas are provided in both written and digital formats. In fact, this volume includes eight CDs that explain the various programs, as well as an audio tutorial.
The Family Practice Library is long overdue in the chiropractic profession. Someone has finally created answers to many (if not all) of the questions many chiropractors have about setting up a family-based practice. I believe doctors who desire to create (or transform their practices into) subluxation-based family care practices have no better guide. Dr. Plasker and his team have obviously spent many hours compiling and creating this library. They have done an excellent job. Understandably, this type of program is not inexpensive, and it requires the commitment of the doctor and his or her staff to make it succeed, but the benefits surely make the effort worthwhile.
Dr. Savoie's rating:
10out of10
To order a copy of this product, call MPA Provider Services at (800) 359-2289.
If you have authored, published or produced a book, audio or video package that is chiropractic-oriented, educational, nonpromo-tional and written or produced in a professional manner, and would like it reviewed in Dynamic Chiropractic, please send two copies of the product to:
Review Editor Dynamic Chiropractic P.O. Box 4109 Huntington Beach, California 92605-4109
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?
Some pundits say that the upcoming presidential and congressional races, and many local races, might be the most consequential in our country’s history. We do not have the choice of sitting on the sidelines and hoping our patients will carry our water. Unlike other medical professions such as physical therapists, podiatrists, nurses, etc., the health care class (AMA) will not protect us. We must be in the game.
The most common condition affecting the shoulder is rotator-cuff disease. From acute tears to chronic tendinopathy, it’s common and needs a thorough workup. In fact, even asymptomatic shoulders can have full-thickness rotator-cuff rears in up to 40% of instances. Let’s look at additional conditions that can present to the office with weakness, loss of motion and pain in the shoulder beyond rotator-cuff tears.
