HONE YOUR FOCUS Now, move on with the regular tests. I highly recommend hav-ing a staff member in to record your findings while you per-form the exam. This allows you to stay focused with the person in front of you and to not lose the momentum of the proce-dures. During the tests, Dr. Carter mentions, it is important to conduct the test in such a way as to make the patient aware of their loss of function. For example, if you are doing a hamstring motor test, it is key to push and break through their resistance in order to fully demonstrate that the hamstring has lost power. It is important to verify that the patient is now aware of the loss of function. Some key questions, such as “are you aware you have lost function to these muscles?” will help confirm this. These questions bring a serious tone to the examination, which is necessary. Once you have run through your tests (range of motion and muscle tests) with good speed and intensity, it is important you end your exam by letting them know that they in fact do have spinal problems and it is important that they return as soon as possible for a report. This is also your time to recommend additional tests such as diagnostic imaging. Once you have done this, it’s important to exit the room immediately and leave the rest of the procedures for the staff to take care of. Don’t hang around for the intensity to drop as this will detract from the patient’s memory of the examination. If there are any pressing questions, mention they will be covered in the report unless they are an emergency. Shortening your exam time will automatically increase the focus and intensity and lead to better performance on your part. When you are performing your exam well, there will be less chitchat, more focus and more intensity. This is because the exam is speaking for itself and demonstrating to the patient that there are problems that need to be addressed immediately. This makes booking their next appointment much easier for your staff and the report of findings really just becomes a for-mality and not the “sell” that it is sometimes made out to be. I hope this helps your exam and more importantly inspires more people to get under chiropractic care and live more to their potential. I do recommend the more detailed version of Dr. Cart-er’s exam module, which is available at www.carteruniversal.com. In part 2 of this series, I will be interviewing two giants from the chiropractic profession on this very topic, so stay tuned. Remember: when it comes to our practice, work from the in-side out! • Key to Performing an Effective Patient Exam Focus on finding the problem area and communicating the need to fix it to the patient. ACTION STEPS: • Shorten your examination time to increase your focus. • Begin your exam face down in order to locate the sub-luxation fast and first. • Demonstrate loss of function due to subluxation through your testing. www.canadianchiropractor.ca CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | JUNE 2013 • 37
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