Every chiropractor has good intentions to help people get well. When a patient comes into our office to receive health, a majority of them come in with chronic pain, exhausted, disgruntled, nervous and uncertain due to the pain and what their next steps will be.
If we are nervous, therefore, NOT authoritative, we will not be able to lead them effectively towards Wellness, and therefore, Happiness. Sometimes as the chiropractor, we just want to get our hands in there and work on them! But the ID systems tell us otherwise.
First day procedures such as proper phone scripts, the Right Place Promise, introduction video, full consult/exam/x-rays and NO treatment, are all setting the tone for building trust and credibility. Other than my regular check up at the dentist who takes x-rays, no other doctor who does testing will give treatment right away, and neither should we. Our coach is clear in saying, NO adjustment until the patient has been educated. ID systems all help tremendously with this process and thus, directly impacts patient care.
Second day procedures such as ROF, estimated cost of care, financial policy, proper AMS and scheduling HTSY and progress reports is key! Once we’ve answered: What’s going on? Can you help me? How long will this take? How much will this cost?, they’ve received all the information to make an informed decision and now we are ready for the adjustment. Awesome procedures help educate the patient and keep them on a focused plan. Our coach is also clear in saying, an educated patient is a compliant and referring patient. ID systems all help tremendously with this process and thus, directly impacts patient care.
Insurance companies don’t always pay for chronic pain either, so being certain of the diagnosis and how we can help them, whether we apply charges through insurance or out of pocket, knowing the system and communicating it to the patient, makes clear expectations for them. Less surprises gains more trust, and directly impacts patient care.
Regular checking in like Progress Reports are awesome. Such a simple way to let the patient know how they are doing during the course of care has been very helpful, for the doctors and for the patients. Some patients could care less, but most patients appreciate that we are keeping track of their care. This also gives us another chance to speak about the importance of Wellness! If our goals are to heal the land by saving lives, then we need to focus on new patients, and usher them towards wellness. ID systems all help tremendously with these processes and thus, directly impacts patient care.
Lastly, spouse and I live and work together. Yes, we have personal problems (which NEVER get brought into the office setting), but as with anything, we agree and disagree. Having an objective Coach (Dr. Denny Berger) and a set system, overrides how we think and feel about each other and our patients. When we disagree on what to say to patients or how to write out their treatment plan, we have to go back to the system and follow it. It’s objective, it’s neutral, it works, and…I’m sure it saves many arguments within our business partnership AND marriage. We are truly grateful for the Integrity systems because they help tremendously with directly impacting patient care.
Drs. Timothy and Kitty Yon