Some pharmaceutical companies have come to this realization and are making changes. In that same article, The Globe and Mail reported that French pharmaceu- tical company Sanofi-Aventis purchased American company Chattem Inc, a major consumer health-care company for $1.9 billion (US). The CEO of Canadian op- erations said, “Clearly with patients taking more control of their own management of their diseases, it’s a growing market”. On January 5, 2010 the Globe and Mail reported that Novartis AG paid $28.1 billion for Alcon Inc, a company that specializes in vision healthcare, owned by Nestle. This was said to be “…part of the company’s effort to branch into faster-growing areas of health care as branded prescription drugs sales slow”. Focus on prevention Insurance companies are recognizing the change in the public’s approach to health care. On January 4, 2010, the Globe print- ed an article entitled “Rising costs lead in- surers to focus on prevention.” The insur- ance industry is getting into the wellness business by “building detailed databases of health information on the people they insure, ranging from the drugs they take to the chiropractors they visit, to more ac- curately predict who might be at risk of a major health issue such as a chronic dis- ease. The goal is to be able to intervene before the issue becomes severe – and ex- pensive – by prodding the person to take action that could manage or prevent the disease all together” PosiTioning dCs as wEllnEss ProPonEnTs The ideas of wellness summarized above stem from views that focus on empower- ing patients with knowledge and giving them the tools to achieve and maintain their own health, so that they will not have to rely on expensive treatment. This may sound heretical to some, and like economic suicide to others, but for chiropractic to become wellness propo- nents, we are going to have to establish programs and practices that are in keeping with these ideals – as well as the financial constraints that might make them neces- sary. This means we will have to reduce the number of times our patients need to see us. In a yet unpublished study, Sil- vano Mior, DC, found that 36 per cent of 821 surveyed chiropractic patients report- ed missing appointments due to financial reasons. Wellness does not involve having our patients come in to see us every week in order for them to stay well. Also, work by Cassidy and Coté, et al. (Spine, Vol. 30, No. 24, pages 2817- 2823) reveals that back pain in individu- als is not usually relegated to a single episode but rather is an ongoing process. Should we, therefore, be claiming to be providing the cure for back pain, or rath- er partner with our patients to provide the safest and most effective and cost ef- fective way to control it? How TECHnology migHT HElP Companies that manufacture products to assist with back pain – and other types of pain – might be able to play a role in the chiropractor and patient partnership against pain. Some of these have de- signed medical grade products that are powerful enough to use in a professional clinic, but safe and easy enough to use adjunctively for home care. The compa- nies are looking to work with chiroprac- tors, whose philosophy and paradigm are suited for these types of non-inva- sive treatment adjuncts, in the hopes of enhancing the results that chiropractors already see in their clinics. Because of their knowledge, and the credibility chiropractors have developed due to their close relationship with pa- tients, DCs can be an excellent choice to introduce these products and explain their benefits and protocols. On the DC’s end, this provides chi- ropractors with a perfect opportunity to partner with their patients to manage their problems in a more efficient and timely manner. Rather than lose pa- tients, as some chiropractors would fear, this partnership gives us more credibil- ity and shows our patients that we want what’s best for them and are not trying to make them lifetime members of our clinic. Isn’t that what we do when we give patients advice on proper posture, exercises, home care advice and when we fit them with orthotics? If DCs allow some of these technological advances to become part of their standard of care, they may see improved results, may be able to reactivate patients, and renew the level of excitement within their practices. mainTaining a PaTiEnT-CEnTrEd aPProaCH If we want to stay competitive in the health- care field, we have to keep the needs and concerns of our patients in the forefront. We have to realize that our patients are having financial and time constraints that may be forcing them to look at alterna- tives to chiropractic care. We have to de- velop strategies that will help us maintain positive outcomes with patients and retain their trust and confidence. At the same time, it is important for us to stay within our scope and incorporate evidenced-based practices. We need to develop partnerships with other professions in order to co-operate in patient care and to encourage and support more research. But, above all we need to improve our communication skills with our patients, the public and governments so that we can position ourselves to bring chiropractic to those who are in need of its benefits and potential for healing. • mariTimE CHiroPraCTiC ConvEnTion, 2010 Mark your calendars for the 2010 Annual Maritime Chiro- practic Convention and Trade Show. This year, the event will be held on June 5 and 6 at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax. Speakers for the event will include Dr. Jeffrey Spenser, Dr. Gilles LaMarche, Dr. Michael Hall and Ms. Brandi Mac- www.canadianchiropractor.ca Donald. Twelve hours of CE credits, approved by the Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors, will be granted to attend- ees at this event. For more information, including registration details, please visit www.chiropractors.ns.ca • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | FEBRUARY 2010 • 9 news
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor February 2010: Page 9
