Cover MANAGEMENT The right fit T Strategies for successful RMT recruitment, retention by david leprich he ultimate goal for chiropractors and massage therapists is better health for our mutual patients. We take different routes to this end, but the wellness-based approach and techniques used are similar. Chiropractors and massage thera-pists both rely primarily on manual techniques. Successful practitioners take a patient-centered approach to management. In addition, both prac-titioners have experienced some form of resistance from allopathic medicine and from the public. This common ground helps explain the many examples of chiropractors and massage therapists working successfully side-by-side. During nearly four decades of chiropractic practice, I have had the pleasure of welcoming many registered mas-sage therapists (RMTs) into our clinic. Some have Onboarding stayed a few months. Others have established refers to the long-term relationships with our clinic and have mechanism through which remained for many years. a new hire Each of these caring individuals has taught me something about treating patients, managing a acquires the necessary clinic and the joy of being a health-care provider. There have been a few bumps along the way, but knowledge and these have only helped improve the situation to behaviours to become everyone’s benefit. effective If you have considered adding massage therapy DR. DAVID LEPRICH is clinic director at Welland Avenue Chiropractic and Massage Therapy, which he established in 1977. He is a past president of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, a current board member of the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation and theatre chiropractor to the Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Dr. Leprich can be reached at [email protected]. to your clinic, I hope some of these experiences and learnings will help you develop a mutually beneficial relationship. Consider practice style members of the organization. There are several ways to include massage in your practice. RMTs can rent space in your clinic and manage their own practice. This makes your day a lot easier. However, if the therapist is not highly motivated, you may end up getting more involved than you had planned. Alternatively, you can hire a therapist as an employee. You provide all referrals and perhaps even prescribe what treatments are provided. This arrangement involves more work and responsibil-ity on your part, but allows you to maintain full control of your clinic. I have found good success with a middle ground approach. The RMT rents space in my clinic. I provide staffing support, which includes booking of appointments and managing accounts. I cover the costs of telephone service and all utilities. I refer my patients who I think may benefit from massage therapy. In some cases, if there are spe-cific issues, I will make recommendations to the RMT about treatment. I am far more comfortable referring my patients to a therapist I know, than having them visit another therapist at another location. However, the expectation is that the RMT will build, promote and maintain his or her own practice. Whichever path you choose, be certain that all the important parameters are clearly defined in an agreement. 24 Canadian Chiropractor October 2015 www.canadianchiropractor.ca Photo: Shutterstock
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor October 2015: Page 24
