Doctor's Opinion
From The Desk Of Dr. J. Zimmerman
World Chiropractic Alliance- Board of International Governors
World Chiropractic Alliance- Membership Council
Chiropractic Leadership Alliance-Ambassador
Member- New Jersey Council of Chiropractors
Chiropractic Association of Ireland
Chiropractic Liaison to the World Health Organization
Founding Member, ICA Pediatric Council
 
 
 
This Months Topics:
  • My short opinion
  • Practice Tip
  • News
 
 
 
Dear Doctor:
 
It is never too late.   I started practice in 1988.  It took me 3 years before I joined a national chiropractic organization and my State association.   I was content to be a "member", pay my dues and that was it.  Donate here and there when it was needed.  Other then that I didn't do too much.  It took me until 1999 before I started to become politically active and get my hands dirty to help ensure chiropractic's future.  Now I am in so deep, it is not even funny.   I am actively working with the WCA, the Coalition of Chiropractic, Chiropractic Association of Ireland  and the World Health Organization.   Everytime I turn my computer on I have 75-100 e-mails a day, with at least 25 of them requiring a reply or some other type of work.  The funny thing is that I enjoy it.
 
My point is that even though I am head over heals in political work, it doesn't take much to be a help, concerning chiropractic's future.  1.  Join an organization that supports your chiropractic viewpoint.  Giving them dues and the occasional donation is extremely helpful.  Your money supports attorneys and lobbyists that fight for chiropractic.  2.  Grassroots is the key.  When an organization asks for a letter to be writen or a phone call to be made.  Do it.  Anything we have ever acheived in chiropractic has come form the Grass roots level.
And that is it.  Simple stuff to be involved in chiropractic politics.  Oh yeah, 3.  Go to a meeting every now and then.   It is inspring to be around other chiropractors who are passionate about protecting chiropractic.  If you do these 3 things, you will be giving back to a profession that has given you and your family so much and you will be protecting chiropractic for future generations.
 
 
Practice Tip:  
 
Phone Call Procedures for Clients Calling to Cancel Appointments

It is extremely important for all practice members to follow the chiropractor’s recommended care plan. If the care plan is not followed the client will not achieve the desired results. Missing appointments, therefore, translates into wasted money and time for your practice members. In addition, not achieving the proper spinal correction decreases the client's satisfaction with chiropractic care and negatively effects your office’s reputation. A big no-no.

Unfortunately, missed appointments are a reality. Things happen. Flat tires, sick kids, overtime at work, a long planned holiday. None-the-less, we cannot encourage cancellations.

Encouraging cancellations occurs on a subconscious level during the phone call when the client calls up to cancel their appointment. Key words or phrases, subconsciously lets the client know that canceling appointments is ok. While proper manners, sympathy and concern are all resonable responses to a client canceling an appointment, we do not want to let the client know that canceling appointments is  normal procedure for your office.

Therefore, things not to say when taking a cancellation:

That’s ok.

Don’t worry about it.

No problem.

Phrases like these, lets the client think that in your office missing appointments is ok, it’s not a worry, and it's not a problem.

It is important to show concern, but it is not proper procedure to reply with a positive affirmation to canceling appointments.

Things to say:I’m sorry to hear that.

That is a shame.

That is too bad.  These sentences show concern, but also enforce that missing an appointment is a bad thing.

The most important thing to remember and say when taking an appointment cancellation is this:

Ex. I am sorry to hear that. Let me reschedule your next appointment. What is the care plan the doctor has you on, how many times per week do you come in? You’re not sure? Let me check the computer for you. The doctor has you on 2x per week for your spinal correction plan. You need to see the doctor 2 x this week, when would you like to come in?

It is very important to check the care plan on every one calling to cancel.  It is vitally important not to give clients subconscious signals that you accept appointment cancellations, otherwise cancelling appointments will become a regular habit and lead to a drop out of care.

 

WCA News:   The new medicare chiropractic bill, sponsored by Congressman Manzullo, is doing extremely well on the Hill.

Please continue to call your Congressman asking for support.  We are almost there.

 

That is all for this month.

 

Dr. J.Z.