Motivational Musings

I always talk of the chiropractic profession being one of the most unique of all health care professions. While most M.D.s can expect to work in group settings for their entire professional lives, many D.C.s work as the lone doc with one or two C.A.s. Some are fortunate to practice in areas where there is a close-knit network among the local D.C.s. However, it is more common to see a doctor practicing in an area where they have limited opportunities for positive interaction with their brothers and sisters in the profession. Most doctors I’ve spoken to feel that this affects their ability to stay *up* and inspired while performing the day to day operations of a single doctor practice. There are some steps that the chiropractic assistants and the doctors can take to reduce the isolated feelings and help stay motivated in between even the most motivating seminars.

• Remember to set attainable goals for staff and doc. Review these goals regularly and revise as needed. Often goals are not met because they are not truly made a part of the plan of the practice. Write your goals down, and then write how you plan to reach the goal and each staff member’s part in it. Share these goals at your staff meetings and realize that it will take a team effort. I often see C.A.s who are given a charge to meet a really far-reaching goal, but were given no plan to do it. So, set your sites high, but make sure that you each have a part in the plan and are able to work together to reach your practice goals.
• Regularly assess the entire staff to make sure that positivity is the goal for the office! We all know how one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. Everyone on staff needs to do regular self-assessments about the level of negativity that they may be carrying within themselves, as well as sharing with others. While venting (an occasional moment of blowing off steam) is necessary for everyone at one time or another, regular negative comments or attitudes with anyone on staff has an effect on the entire practice. If you find that after following the recommendations for helping to stay *up* one or more members of the staff is still having a hard time, it may be time to reconsider whether he or she is the right *fit* for your practice. If a C.A. finds that she is working for a doctor who is consistently negative, share this post with him or her, and let them know that you are committed to helping to develop a more positive work environment.
• Get involved with local, state and national associations. This is an important step in feeling a part of the bigger picture of chiropractic. Additionally, it’s important to be a part of your state association so that you can stay up on the ever changing rules and regulations that vary state to state. Make sure that you attend as many local events as you can, and go with the intention of finding like-minded D.C.s with whom you can network. Get your C.A.s and your spouse involved in the events and it will make it more likely that you will be able to connect with others.
• Plan community service campaigns! Serving others is the quickest way to forget your own trials and tribulations! While you may not be working with other chiropractic professionals in the community, working alongside people who are willing to serve, while seeing people in situations that are typically much worse than anything we may experience, can help both D.C. and C.A. to reap the rewards of serving their fellow man. Organize regular community service campaigns and involve your patients as well. Calling the principle of your most needy school, and asking for needs that are not covered with the usual community events is a great way to get involved with your patients and the entire community! You’d be surprised how many principles are aware of children who need the very basics; shoes, coats, school supplies, clothing and more. Keep an ongoing list and have a regular campaign to cover those needs. This is just one of many similar campaigns that you can organize as a staff. Regularly check the community calendar of your local newspaper to find events that your practice can be involved with. Anytime you help to build a sense of community, the isolated feeling that many feel in this profession can be lessened.
• Plan your seminar attendance to include motivational seminars! As you set your C.E. seminar calendar, make sure that you are seeking out meetings that will be motivational and inspirational. While it is understood that some of your needed credits will be in areas that are of a more technical nature, make sure that you budget your seminar time to include regular motivational gatherings as well.
• Make sure that you are going over your patients’ progress in regular staff meetings! Does your staff share the miracles with one another in regular staff meetings? C.A.s are you keeping up with your patient’s progression? Are you sharing the little positive comments that your patients give to you, back with the doctor and other staff? Does your office keep a miracle journal; a place where you record the miracles that occur with your patients? If you don’t, begin today! The great thing about keeping this journal is that you will find your staff will begin to focus on looking for the miracles that are occurring each and every day in your own practice! State laws vary on displaying patient testimonials, so check with your state association or board to find out what you need to do to post any within your practice or in patient literature. Make sure that you consider the HIPAA regulations as well*, and if your state and HIPAA rules are different, follow the most conservative of the two. Even if you are not interested in using the *miracles* in promotional materials at this time, the value of these for helping staff and doctor to stay on purpose; focused on the great benefits of chiropractic care, is worth the effort. If you do a brief staff meeting in the morning before patient time, then go over at least one miracle and remind everyone that “today we will see miracles!” Challenge everyone to find at least one miracle a day. These don’t have to be total cures from an incurable disease; miracles can be small, but make a big difference in the lives of your patients. “Mrs. Smith slept through the night for the first time in 2 years.” “Joe E. said that he went the entire week without a headache!” With each small miracle, staff and most importantly, doctor, can be reminded that the reason that you are here is to be a healing conduit. Get excited with each miracle and of course keep these in the journal. All miracles, big and small, need to be entered as well, and one C.A. needs to be in charge of making sure that your miracle journal is kept current. All staff members need to be a part of this. And entries should be shared at each staff meeting.

It takes a concerted effort on part of both chiropractic assistant and doctor to keep your practice a positive place for staff and patient. Make that part of your goals, to build a place where positivity and healing miracles are shared regularly, and you will see that it is easier to stay focused and positive throughout the year!

Practically Yours,

The PracticalCA

*If you need help with the HIPAA regulations and how they apply to your practice, check out the HIPAA 101 course that is beginning August 15^th in the PracticalCA’s classroom. Watch our site for more information. http://practicalpracticing.com/default_files/comingsoon.htm