Opening a chiropractic services office in today’s complicated healthcare world is not as easy as it once was. Being successful while maintaining the enthusiasm for service to all of your patients amid healthcare reform and changing HIPA laws requires a knowledge of skills beyond basic patient care.
Chiropractic work, of course, is seen as a rapidly growing profession. Currently, an estimated 44,400 chiropractors work in the U.S. As of May 2012, they earned a median annual wage $66,160. Job forecasters predict the employment of chiropractors to grow at least 15% between the years of 2012 and 2022. If this is the case, chiropractic schools
need to help prepare for this faster than average growing occupation.
Since salary and job security seem to be positives for anyone entering training for chiropractors, it is necessary for those training and coaching future chiropractors to move onto educating students about management for chiropractors as well. Advanced management for chiropractors includes preparing a plan for chiropractic marketing ideas, chiropractic websites, and chiropractic practice management.
While completing an undergrad degree and achieving admittance into a four year chiropractic doctoral program is the most necessary part of entering this profession, some things about chiropractic care are not as easy as they once were. Simply following in the footsteps of a father or uncle in the business gets a little more complicated as new chiropractic doctors prepare for their new career. It is still true that most chiropractors work in a group or solo chiropractic practice, and a large number choose to be self-employed. This varied approach to a business plan gives new doctors several options, but these same doctors need to also prepare themselves for the increasing numbers of patients who come from referrals and bring with them a wide range of insurance plans and requirements. A new doctor who has not been trained in management for chiropractors can quickly become overwhelmed with all of the non-patient care requirements.
Like any professional beginning in a chosen career, building a network of people and groups who can help with both patient service and office management tasks at the same time. Do you know who to call if an insurance company initially denies coverage for a patient? Do you know where to look for additional backup storage for digital patient records? In a field that is growing as fast chiropractic medicine, the successful doctor will avoid recreating the wheel at every turn, and, instead create a network of experienced resources to turn to for questions.
