X marks the spot. The location of a chiropractic clinic has been an impor-tant success factor seen in industrial-Visualize your clinic. Visualization is ized countries where the substantial a well-accepted concept by successful middle-class population has been able people in sports, business and personal to support a large growing number of management. It involves mental imag-chiropractors. Where there is one DC ing of an action or event with specific for every 10,000 people or less – such focus and intention. On the more as in the U.S., Canada and Australia practical side, this also allows you to – the clinic location can usually be make better decisions about the details found in a retail centre or a stand-alone of your clinic: size, location, patient building on a busy commercial street. flow, procedures and other things. If a country’s economy and humani-Make scale drawings of the clinic plans. tarian laws favour a larger middle-class, Extensively review maps of the country the locations for a chiropractic clinic will likely follow the same experi-and city or cities where you ences seen in English-speaking will be seeing patients. Think What is of countries. In countries where about every detail from pa-particular tient flow to which charts or the middle-class is practically concern is pictures you want to bring non-existent, a two-class soci-whether a true ety has really only one group along and place on the walls. feeling of of people who will be able to Who, what, when, why. All empathy and pay for chiropractic care in genuine private practices – the well-of these questions apply here as they have never applied concern exist to-do folks. In this case, it is a mistake to try and locate a before. Whom do you know in inside the the country? Someone who prospective clinic using standards and can help you build a frame-doctor’s spirit criteria that work in Canada work of logistical and emo-for the local and the U.S. tional support. This can be a population. it When chiropractic is initially prospective partner, employer, being introduced to a develop-is either family or other relative, friend present or not, ing country, go where the of the family or other contact and will weigh prospective patients live and work. The wealthy that can with whom trust has been into the ulti-well afford care expect to find established and there is sin-cere interest in seeing things mate fate of first-class facilities in a first-the practice class location such as in a happen for you. venture. What information do you street-level office in a financial need to know to better pre-district, a ritzy mall, a stand-pare? What has to be resolved (financial, alone building within a large secure timing, language) before you can actu-community or in an office just in front ally make the move? of the main entrance to the large, secure When do you plan on taking a recon-communities. naissance trip, to wrap things up where In countries where there is great dis-you currently are, and to start seeing parity between financial classes, people patients in the foreign practice? who can afford to live in middle-class Why have you decided to practice homes or in exclusive communities have abroad? The risks of failure are higher if demanded secure, segregated home you are escaping or running away from developments. This does make it easier something – or someone. Doing the for the chiropractor to locate in a nice 30 Canadian Chiropractor April 2014 thing you know you find yourself re-turning home to the familiar – defeated. Understanding the ways things are done in any country is paramount to a successful marketing plan. Yellow page ads and coupons in local publications are not very appropriate in Asia and Latin America. How do you market your practice in the French Riviera or a small Swiss village? Using local publi-cists who understand the way things are done is a good direction to take. right thing but for the wrong reason can easily backfire, simply because your degree of commitment may be lacking just when you need it most. If on the other hand, you have done your home-work and feel strongly, almost over-whelmingly, about your decision, it stands to reason your opportunity for success will create itself. neighborhood and maintain a good quality of life, even though the rest of the population, often over 80 per cent, live in poverty-afflicted areas. DCs who understand these economic conditions and still choose to serve the poor usually arrange a free clinic for a couple of days per month in a church or community building located in the poorer communities. By lowering the financial barrier this way, you can help hundreds more people. Yes, there is enough money and emotional support. You will need these to undertake the challenge of opening a chiropractic clinic abroad. How much money? Typically, an asso-ciate needs $10,000 and an owner needs $50,000. When this declaration is spoken with confidence – it’s time to get serious. Z factor. This refers to the degree of drive and enthusiasm needed to main-tain the energy and focus required for a successful venture. When people travel, there comes a time during the trip when they run out of gas. These are dangerous times. Constantly having to cope with daily challenges can, at times, be daunting under the most fa-miliar circumstances. Adapting to the lifestyle of a foreign culture can wear out even the most experienced travel-ler. Making a living in these conditions increases the exposure and the risks of being overcome. This is effectively countered by the doctor’s drive, re-serves of energy and enthusiastic ded-ication. Practising abroad is not like moving to another town or city in Canada or the U.S. The thrill and excitement of the adventure can quickly turn into a night-mare when you are not adequately prepared or do not have the adequate reserves of energy and tolerance for the changes outlined above. There is more support and infrastruc-ture available today to assist DCs who can make the transition into a foreign practice. Practising abroad can be a positive step in establishing the profes-sion in a foreign country and changing the lives of millions of people who lack access to regular chiropractic services. Additional information is available at the Chiropractic Diplomatic Corps site: www.ChiropracticDiplomatic.com. www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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