The 5 Steps of the Spinal Decompression Patient Process

One of the places many spinal decompression doctors  experience inefficiencies is in their patient process. Many times the doctors model it after what other chiropractic offices or chiropractic consultants are teaching.   What chiropractors really need to understand is that the medical model of business has worked forever.  The chiropractic model is not a very successful model for most chiropractors.  If you want a model that works which model do you think patients are most likely to know and follow:  the medical model of course.  Here are the 5 Basic Steps of a successful spinal decompression  Patient Process. Step 1. The Phone Call. Answer phone calls just like a medical specialist clinic would do.  Be firm, friendly but not too friendly, and take the patient through a qualification process.  Almost all patient interactions start with a phone call. Have a script ready so you aren’t fumbling for what to say when a new patient calls. You also need to know what to do when they call with a difficult question such as “how much does it cost” or “will my insurance cover it?”. Step 2. The Intake Paperwork. Paperwork is part of the chiropractic world too, unfortunately. But a having a basic questionnaire for incoming patients can do a lot to help them explain their symptoms and help you communicate with them.  This should be exactly like a medical clinic’s.  It should be thorough but not overwhelming.  It should get their email address so that you can follow up if they don’t enroll for care.  And it should contain an informed consent.  Nothing will sink a clinic faster than not having an informed consent. Step3. Meeting with the Patient. Whether it’s the first time you meet a patient or the 21^st time you meet them you need to make sure to greet them and make some small talk before jumping right in.  Be friendly but not too friendly.  You are there to be there doctor, not their friend.  If you become too friendly (like most chiropractors) patients will not respect you as their doctor and will expect to pay less than they would if they went to a clinic that is more serious. Step 4. Working on the Patient. This is a step where you need to manage your time very carefully. Give the patient adequate time but don’t try to do more than you have room for in the schedule.  Listen to what the patient is saying.  New consultations should be a minimum of 30 minutes.  Show the patient you are thorough, that you care, and that you are interested in them and not in moving on to the next patient. Step 5. Saying good-bye and scheduling follow-up.  This step can be quick and can be completed at your front desk.   If the new consultation did not show up with their spouse at this time it would be appropriate to schedule a follow up with the spouse there. So, those are the five steps! How are you going to streamline your chiropractic patient process? Are you ready to see your spinal decompression practice take off? If so, sign-up for our FREE 30-day trial of the first module of our Decompression Pros Practice Management System 2.0 and discover the secrets of 7-figure spinal decompression clinics.