COLUMN KEYS TO YOUR PRACTICE How to get through M Communicating with patients is a two-way street BY ANGELO SANTIN attentive listener when it is time to share how chiropractic really works. to be really important questions. I like to prompt this feedback at two points in a patient’s care: the report of find-ings and then at their upcoming re-ex-Relate to them The best chiropractors are the ones aminations. I simply say to the patient, that can empathize with what their “I’m open to feedback through this patients are going through. Most of process, if you have any questions or you must have had a health problem at concerns about your adjustments, my some point in time. Using this to relate recommendations, and how our office to a patient is a powerful way to get is run please let me know.” People are your message across. I even urge you to often taken aback by this, which makes tell your story of how you were able to me believe they don’t usually hear that recover and how much work it took to from their health-care practitioner. Make them comfortable to give you get better. Sharing our struggles puts us on a level playing field as them. honest feedback and you will begin to People want to follow and listen to hear things that you probably never leaders that are more like them and not expected. They will begin to make Understanding their goals someone who appears superhuman comments about adjustments, fre-Most chiropractors make the mistake and whom they can’t relate to. If you quency, financial concer ns and thinking that people are as excited personally do not have a story, share everything in between. If you put your about chiropractic as they are. This one of a loved one close to you who was ego aside and address these concerns couldn’t be farther from the truth. able to get their health back under you will create a better environment for your patients to safely and openly com-Patients come in with a problem they chiropractic care. want a solution to – not to learn about Personal stories create a bond and municate with you. This also means the spine and nervous system. Pain is improve the communication between they will be more likely to hear you out the most powerful motivator for people doctor and patient, which is necessary when you begin to share the chiroprac-tic story and its ultimate benefits to seeking chiropractic care. Knowing for the patient to listen openly. their life. this, we shouldn’t be shy about talking If we want people to truly reach their about their pain. It’s a necessity. We Welcome open, honest feedback health potential we need to recognize need to meet them where they are. To take their health to another level, People will not be open to hearing a it’s not going happen overnight. We however, we need to take them on a message if they themselves do not feel also need to recognize at some point we journey in enlightening them about they are being heard. Therefore, we need to share how chiropractic can how the pain and subluxation process must first listen to what they have to create potential to live a more produc-is holding them back. Essentially, this say before we begin to share our mes-tive and healthy life. If this is to happen is getting to know their goals. For some sage. Getting a patient to openly give there has to be a dialogue between you it might be gardening, while others may you feedback may require you to and the patient in which both parties desire to sleep better. Most people are prompt them to do so. There is a stigma are engaged in the decision making not aware of the extent to which the that people are not supposed to tell process. This will only happen if you’ve subluxation process is affecting their their health-care practitioner everything been able to understand what their daily routine. If you can draw this out that is on their mind. Whether they feel goals are, relate to them, and welcome of them in your first few visits you will the doctor is in a rush or they don’t honest feedback. If done artfully, this will create a not only have a better connection with want to offend them, patients often the patient, but you will have a more hold back from asking what turns out lifelong patient who will stay, get healthier, and refer like crazy. Nail this DR. ANGELO SANTIN, DC, operates a busy subluxation-based family practice in Thunder Bay, Ont., and process and watch your practice grow. is president of the Thunder Bay Chiropractic Society. Santin is also a Carter Universal proficiency-rated Good luck. chiropractic coach. He can be reached at [email protected] or 807-344-4606. 14 Canadian Chiropractor September 2016 www.canadianchiropractor.ca any chiropractors are passionate and inspired individuals who often can’t hold back sharing the chiropractic story. That passion and energy however can sometimes affect how the message comes across. Instead of engaging them, patients end up being talked at or lectured to, which renders the mes-sage ineffective. There are a few keys to ensure your message gets through to your patients so they can live a more productive and healthy life. Let’s take a closer look at this.
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor September 2016: Page 14
