COVER STORY TRENDS Digital future Top tech trends to watch in 2017 M by stephane laverdiere ore than ever, the success of an organization depends on its ability to prepare for change and predict which trends will make a major impact. The chiroprac-tic industry is no different. Forecasting and anticipating change is a complex task that takes the combination of different views drawn together in the right way at the right time. More and more patients are taking a proactive approach to managing their health care, through utilizing apps designed to modify personal health habits. Some 58 per cent of smartphone users have downloaded a health-related app, according to a 2015 NYU Langone Medical Center study of 1,604 U.S. smartphone owners. Patients are demanding an interactive experience for their health care needs, and health care practi-tioners are requiring more flexibility to provide service to their patients. These expectations are putting pressure on the chiropractic industry to evolve to meet the market demand. Technology is constantly changing the way we practice. Here are four emerging trends to watch in 2017. Office automation is chang ing the way DR. STEPHANE LAVERDIERE, DC, is a 1995 graduate of National College of Chiropractic. He opened and managed three successful practices. He is co-founder of Atlas Chiropractic System, an innovative world-class paperless office system. He enjoys pioneering the features that will be used by chiropractors worldwide. He lives in Ontario, and is interested in organic sustainable living and everything it entails. 22 Canadian Chiropractor December 2016 Online store The digital marketing revolution has created op-portunities for practitioners to provide a level of care outside of the office. In an increasingly www.canadianchiropractor.ca Photo: aodaodaodaod / Shutterstock.com Front desk automation INTERNET OF THINGS Imagine your chiropractic table with the ability to book your patient’s next appointment. It’s the concept for the next evolution of the Internet. chiropractors practice. New chiropractors are fore-going the traditional chiropractic practice model and, instead, opting for a flexible design that may or may not include an assistant. No assistant? No problem. Offices without a chiropractic assistant are opting to utilize front desk automation technology with such features as digital check-in and collection of subjective information on the screen by the patient. Payment automation is made easy with payment and billing automation that includes automatic billing, insurance explanation of benefits, and pay-ment plans. Scheduling appointments directly from the ad-justment room encourages patients to remain committed to their treatment plan. Larger practices with full or part-time assistants use front desk automation tools to free their time to focus on patient experience and education. Saving four to six minutes per patient adds up to the bottom line. The extra time frees up staff to update the clinic’s social media accounts, plan community events and marketing strategies. Despite some industry concerns, front desk au-tomation has created an inclusive proactive envi-ronment for patients. Giving patients the ability to update health status directly into their patient record is long overdue. Engaged patients are empowered patients and more likely to have better health outcomes and care experiences.
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor December 2016: Page 22
