Episoder
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In this Halloween episode of Chiropractical, host Jon Kec explores chilling real cases from the chiropractic world with guests Shanna Patrick and Jamie Eibes from the NCMIC Claims Department.
They delve into malpractice accusations, kindness turned lawsuits, and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries.
Hear cautionary tales like Dr. Albright's good deed gone wrong and Dr. Richardson's unnerving patient encounter.
What are the critical lessons to be learned from these cases? What are signs of red-flag patients?
Chiropractical is the podcast that helps you be better at what you do with new ideas and new tools.
00:00 Introduction
00:18 Spooky Legal Tales: Acts of Kindness Gone Wrong
00:47 What's Halloween for Shanna & Jamie?
01:21 Dr. Albright's Dilemma
04:32 Lessons Learned: Document, Document, Document
06:18 A Different Kind of Risk: Board Accusations
06:46 Dr. Richardson's Gut Feeling
08:02 Patient's Unusual Requests
08:38 Red Flags in Patient Behavior
09:34 Doctor's Precautions and Open Door Policy
10:14 Escalation of Patient's Actions
11:09 The Patient Was Recording?!
11:42 Legal and Ethical Consequences
12:32 Patient Recording: Risks and Policies
12:57 Doctor's Perspective on Recordings
15:23 Key Takeaways for Doctors
17:19 Final Thoughts
For more information, visit NCMIC.com or contact us at [email protected]. Don't forget to subscribe and follow!
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In this episode of Chiropractical, host Mike Whitmer hands over the reins to Dr. Jon Kec from NCMIC, offering a deep dive into the nuanced insurance needs of practicing chiropractors.
Key Points:
General vs. Malpractice Insurance: The episode kicks off with a scenario illustrating a common mishap in a chiropractic office, leading to a discussion on why general liability insurance is critical and distinct from malpractice insurance.
Specialized Insurance Policies: Andy Pratt emphasizes the importance of having specialized insurance policies for different types of risks, including general liability and cyber liability insurance. The discussion underscores why "one-size-fits-all" insurance policies may not offer adequate protection.
Cybersecurity Threats: The increasing relevance of cyber liability insurance is addressed, highlighting the vulnerability of chiropractic offices to cyber attacks and data breaches, stressing the importance of protecting patient information.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI): The conversation shifts to the significance of EPLI for protecting against claims of wrongful termination and other employment-related issues.
Disability Insurance: The necessity of disability insurance for chiropractors, given the physical nature of their work, is also discussed, stressing the importance of ensuring income continuation in case of injury.
Ask NCMIC:
Mike Whitmer also discusses the importance of attending live events like Parker Seminars in Las Vegas, highlighting the benefits beyond continuing education, such as networking, leadership opportunities, and vendor exploration.
Special Guest:
Andy Pratt: With over 20 years at NCMIC, Pratt brings invaluable insight into the intricacies of insurance policies and risk management for chiropractic practices.
Hosts:
Mike Whitmer: Regular host of Chiropractical.
Dr. Jon Kec: Guest host for the episode, offering a unique perspective as both a chiropractor and an insurance expert.
Resources:
For more detailed information on insurance needs for chiropractors and how to protect your practice, visit NCMIC's website.
To ask questions or suggest topics for future episodes, email [email protected].
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Manglende episoder?
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In this episode of "Chiropractical," host Mike Whitmer is joined by Crystal Misenheimer from Progressive Practice Sales to discuss the critical aspects of retirement planning and practice valuation for chiropractors. Key points include understanding the common misconceptions about practice value, the importance of early planning, and the reality of practice sales in the chiropractic industry.
Key Topics Covered:
The Retirement Planning Misconception: Delving into why many chiropractors' expectations about retirement don't align with reality and how early planning is crucial. Practice Valuation Complexities: Crystal shares her expertise on the challenges and misconceptions in valuing a chiropractic practice. Real-life Examples: Insights into real cases where chiropractic practices faced valuation and sale challenges. Missteps in Practice Management: How lack of focus on future value and late planning can affect the sale outcome. Marketplace Realities and Profit Impact: Understanding the role of lenders in setting practice values and why profit is a critical factor. Family Dynamics in Practice Transition: The complexities involved when family members are part of the practice transition. Future Trends in Chiropractic Practice: Crystal discusses technological changes and the rise of corporate ownership in the industry. Strategies for Value Growth: Advice for chiropractors to increase the value of their practices over timeAsk NCMIC:
Dr. Jon Kec addresses a question about reducing malpractice insurance limits as a cost-saving measure during retirement, emphasizing the importance of risk mitigation.
For more insights and advice, tune in to Chiropractical. Have questions? Email us at [email protected].
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In August, we had the opportunity to attend The National, presented by the Florida Chiropractic Association. This is one of the largest gatherings of chiropractors and many leaders were there. We chatted with several of them to get their insights on the state of the chiropractic profession.
We got their thoughts on the strategic direction of the profession, challenges our doctors and students face, opportunities for women in healthcare, and becoming the doctor of choice in our communities. We also heard from several folks about opportunities to strengthen the profession, now and into the future.
We wanted to share some of the key messages about the profession from these luminaries with our listeners. Hearing these leaders give their candid thoughts is inspiring, challenging, and invigorating. We hope you agree.
(00:02) Introduction by Mike Whitmer
(02:00) Doctor of Choice
(08:39) Communication & Patient Education
(13:00) Collaboration & Integration
(17:28) Practice Management
(19:21) Future Generations
(26:28) Research
(27:26) Strategic Plan & the Future
People who contributed to this episode:
Marc Abla, CAE, Illinois Chiropractic Society Richard Brown, World Federation of Chiropractic Dr. Brandi Childress, Perfect Touch Chiropractic Dr. Sherefa Clark, The Albinism Alliance Group Dr. Alessandra Colón, Crack Addicts on TLC Dr. Donna Craft, Women Chiropractors Board of Trustees Dr. Jen Gantzer, Assistant Professor, Chiropractic Medicine NUHS – Florida Kent Greenawalt, CEO, Foot Levelers Dr. Jay Greenstein, Kaizo Health Dr. Elise Hewitt, President ACA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics Dr. Brenda Holland, ChiroCongress Dr. Glenn Jaffe, Jaffe Chiropractic Lizz Klein, ChiroCongress Dr. John Maltby, World Federation of Chiropractic Dr. Sherry McAllister, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress Dr. Cristina Padilla, Thrive Family Chiropractic Dr. Guy Riekeman, past president of Life University Dr. Rachel Wendt, Executive Director Kentucky Association of ChiropractorsYou can find a transcript of the episode here:
You can find more information about the participants here:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Listen Now and Amplify Your Practice
Join us on a journey through 2023 as we revisit the most impactful and insightful moments of Chiropractical. Host Mike Whitmer and special guest Dr. Jon Kec take you on a retrospective adventure, highlighting key discussions that shaped the chiropractic world this past year.
This episode is packed with invaluable insights. We tackle critical issues like active shooter preparedness, opioids, mental health, and the future of telemedicine in chiropractic care.
Dive into discussions about claims management, effective practice operations, and hear from top experts who are redefining chiropractic care. Plus, don't miss out on our look at the evolving landscape of chiropractic medicine and how it impacts both practitioners and patients.
Tune in now for an enlightening recap and prepare to be inspired. Let's gear up for another remarkable year of Chiropractical!
Episode notes:
Introduction
[00:00:00] Mike introduces the special year-end wrap-up episode, celebrating the highlights of "Chiropractical" in 2023.
[00:00:18] Introduction of Dr. Jon Kec, a new voice on the show and expert in professional liability insurance for chiropractors. Dr. Kec shares his transition from chiropractic practice to the business side, focusing on helping doctors improve their practice. Dr. Kec and Mike discuss the role of NCMIC in supporting chiropractors beyond just malpractice insurance, including business and financial assistance.
Year in Review: Key Highlights
[00:04:18] Jon reflects on the year's episodes, touching on clinical information, practice management, and important topics like active shooter preparedness.
[00:06:48] Discussion on opioids and mental health in chiropractic care with expert guests.
Claims and Practice Management
[00:09:29] Insights into handling claims in chiropractic practices and the anatomy of a claim.
[00:12:24] Expert advice on staffing, communication, and practice management.
Financial and Legal Aspects
[00:16:07] Julie Nesbitt, CPA, shares tips on structuring office policies and procedures for financial protection.
Future of Chiropractic
[00:17:45] Exploration of pediatric chiropractic care and the growing role of telemedicine.
[00:21:22] Dr. Richard Brown discusses collaboration and integration in the chiropractic profession at the FCA National.
Closing Thoughts
[00:23:14] Recap of the episode and encouragement to explore full episodes here.
[00:23:24] Final remarks by Mike and Dr. Kec.
For more details and to listen to the full conversations, check out the individual episodes linked in our show notes. Stay tuned for more insightful episodes in the coming year!
Visit NCMIC Resources Page | Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. See you next time!
Note: This show note is a concise summary of the podcast episode. For a complete experience, please listen to the full episode.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Welcome to Chiropractical, the show that delves into the intricacies of chiropractic risk management and practice care. Today, we're talking about pediatric patients, discussing the unique challenges and responsibilities that come with treating children. We explore the importance of maintaining good records, navigating informed consent, and dealing with custody issues in pediatric chiropractic care.
In this episode, Mike Whitmer is joined by Dr. Jenny Brocker, an experienced chiropractor and mother, who brings her expertise to the table. Dr. Brocker sheds light on the legal and safety aspects of pediatric chiropractic care, emphasizing the need for meticulous documentation. Pediatric patients often require communication with guardians or parents, making record-keeping a critical part of the process.
The conversation touches on the nuances of informed consent, especially when dealing with infants or young children who cannot provide consent themselves. Dr. Brocker explains the importance of keeping both parents and guardians informed and ensuring they are comfortable with the treatment approach.
For doctors looking to venture into the realm of pediatric care, Dr. Brocker provides insights into conducting participation physicals for student athletes. The discussion covers the associated risks, documentation requirements, and the variation in state laws regarding pediatric patient rights.
The episode also explores record retention rules and the age at which pediatric patients can request their records. Dr. Brocker clarifies how custody issues between parents are handled, offering guidance on legal protection in these situations.
Join us in this insightful episode as we navigate the complex terrain of pediatric chiropractic care with Dr. Jenny Brocker. Whether you're an experienced practitioner or considering treating pediatric patients for the first time, this episode has something for everyone.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Join us in the exciting world of chiropractic risk management as we explore two spine-tingling cases with surprising outcomes that are bound to captivate your attention. In "Tales from the Claims Crypt," we delve into real-life stories where chiropractors faced malpractice claims and the unexpected twists that followed.
Shanna Patrick, a seasoned insurance expert, takes us on a journey through two captivating cases involving chiropractic malpractice claims. The first case involves a 25-year-old patient with a history of lumbar and thoracic issues, and a surprising turn of events that left both the chiropractor and the patient in shock. The second case revolves around a 60-year-old patient with lower back pain and the mysterious discovery of a sticky note that could change everything.
Shanna's insights shed light on the critical role of record-keeping and informed consent in the chiropractic profession. She offers valuable advice to chiropractors on how to protect their practices and navigate the complex world of malpractice claims.
Discover the highs and lows, the challenges and triumphs, and the essential lessons learned from these intriguing cases. Join us for an engaging and informative conversation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of chiropractic care and the importance of meticulous record-keeping.
If you're a chiropractor, a CA, or simply intrigued by the world of malpractice claims, "Tales from the Claims Vault" is a must-listen podcast that offers a unique glimpse into the chiropractic universe.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Recently, we had the opportunity to attend The National, presented by the Florida Chiropractic Association. This is one of the largest gatherings of chiropractors and many leaders were there. We chatted with several of them to get their insights on the state of the chiropractic profession.
We got their thoughts on the strategic direction of the profession, challenges our doctors and students face, opportunities for women in healthcare, and becoming the doctor of choice in our communities. We also heard from several folks about opportunities to strengthen the profession, now and into the future.
We wanted to share some of the key messages about the profession from these luminaries with our listeners. Hearing these leaders give their candid thoughts is inspiring, challenging, and invigorating. We hope you agree.
(00:02) Introduction by Mike Whitmer (01:30) Doctor of Choice (08:09) Communication & Patient Education (12:30) Collaboration & Integration (16:58) Practice Management (18:51) Future Generations (25:59) Research (26:56) Strategic Plan & the FuturePeople who contributed to this episode:
Marc Abla, CAE, Illinois Chiropractic Society Richard Brown, World Federation of Chiropractic Dr. Brandi Childress, Perfect Touch Chiropractic Dr. Sherefa Clark, The Albinism Alliance Group Dr. Alessandra Colón, Crack Addicts on TLC Dr. Donna Craft, President Women Chiropractors Board of Trustees Dr. Jen Gantzer, Assistant Professor, Chiropractic Medicine NUHS – Florida Kent Greenawalt, CEO, Foot Levelers Dr. Jay Greenstein, Kaizo Health Dr. Elise Hewitt, President ACA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics Dr. Brenda Holland, ChiroCongress Dr. Glenn Jaffe, Jaffe Chiropractic Lizz Klein, ChiroCongress Dr. John Maltby, World Federation of Chiropractic Dr. Sherry McAllister, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress Dr. Cristina Padilla, Thrive Family Chiropractic Dr. Guy Riekeman, past president of Life University Dr. Rachel Wendt, Executive Director Kentucky Association of ChiropractorsYou can find a transcript of the episode here.
You can find more information about the participants here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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You work hard for your money, and you don’t want to lose it by becoming a victim of financial mismanagement or worse, embezzlement. Join us in this informative episode as we delve into the critical realm of internal controls within chiropractic practices. Financial stability and process efficiency are essential for any practice's success, and our guest, Julie Nesbitt, Sr. Managing Consultant at FORVIS, shares invaluable insights to strengthen your practice against potential dangers.
Julie and Mike discuss:
Real-life narratives of chiropractors navigating treacherous financial waters due to lax internal controls. The benefits internal controls bring to small healthcare practices. An eye-opening analysis of the risks small healthcare practices face without consistent internal controls. Practical examples of internal controls in the daily operations of your practice. Guidance on assessing your practice's current internal control framework and pinpointing areas that will benefit from improvement. Sustainable methods for monitoring and upkeep of your practice's internal controls.And that's not all! In our "Ask NCMIC" segment, Shanna Patrick dissects the potential hazards lurking behind participation in social media trends to help you protect your practice's reputation and ensure a secure online presence.
Tune in to this episode to strengthen your practice's financial health and stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare. Your practice's prosperity starts with effective internal controls!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode is all about the future of chiropractic. Five of our Starting Into Practice Student Ambassadors submitted questions and we invited practicing DCs to give their best advice. Whether you're still in school, recently graduated or have been practicing for years, we think there's something for everyone to learn.
We also talk about the Bucks for Boards program.
Meet the experts!
Dr. Leah Dash
Dr. Leah Dash is a Chiropractic Physician who specializes in women's and children's health. She has additional training in pregnancy and postpartum care, including the Webster Technique, and she is a certified Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy provider. She also has experience treating children of all ages, including infants.
Dr. Dash has a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, and a Doctorate in Chiropractic from the University of Western States. She also previously worked as an EMT for four years.Dr. Edgar Everett
Like many of you, Dr. Edgar Everett III is driven to bring to his practice members a caring, inspiring and solution-based style of health care. Since being in practice he has seen the Chiropractic landscape shift dramatically. People need us more and more. What has changed so much? Is it that the old healthcare model is broken?
Dr. Everett attended Illinois State University before Logan College of Chiropractic. Over the past decade of serving his practice members, volunteering at community clinics, mentoring Chiropractic students, and public speaking, his views on the solutions have been molded. Edgar has come to understand that having an impact on your community comes from compassion, hard work, and intelligent decision making. Chiropractic is a way of life. He is a member of the ABCA, IFCO, and the ICA.
Though sometimes his views can be a bit disruptive, Dr. Everett’s goal is to challenge the status quo and stretch your consciousness. He believes that being challenged filters out those who want more and those who are complacent.
Edgar currently resides in St Louis, MO. He is a partner at Proficient Chiropractic in the metro area and founding partner of Evoke Chiropractic Coaching.Dr. Stephanie Johnson
Dr. Stephanie Johnson is a California native living in Washington, D.C. She completed her undergraduate work at UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and a B.A. in Dance Performance. Dr. Johnson graduated from Palmer West and completed her clinical internship at Walter Reed under the guidance of Dr. William Morgan. Dr. Johnson has been in practice over 10 years and has worked as an associate, an independent contractor, and small business owner. In addition to owning her own practice SJ Chiropractic, she is now also working for the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Johnson additionally serves as a board member for the Washington, D.C. Board of Chiropractic.Dr. Braxton Pulley
Dr. Pulley hails from Michigan and moved to the great state of Iowa to attend ISU. He graduated with a degree in Zoology and proceeded to Davenport to pursue his education and career at Palmer College of Chiropractic. After graduating with honors in research, Dr. Pulley and his family relocated to Des Moines to set down roots and open a practice in the East Village. His office opened in 2004 and has been very successful.
While in Des Moines, Dr. Pulley opened two additional chiropractic offices in small towns as well as hiring 4 chiropractors to help his practices grow. He has also pursued other business interests. He served on the board for a start up recycled building materials manufacturing venture called ReWall. Dr. Pulley taught at William Penn University for 6 years teaching in the associates, bachelors, and masters program.Dr Ray Tuck
N. Ray Tuck Jr., D.C. is a Virginia native and has resided in Southwest Virginia for his entire life. He is a Pulaski High School Graduate and also a 1994 graduate of Radford University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Science.
Dr. Tuck is a member of the Virginia Board of Medicine, which the Governor of Virginia appointed him to. This is an exciting role because he firmly believes in the need to collaborate with other medical professionals to advance the state of healthcare and chiropractic care. Dr. Tuck is the immediate past president of The American Chiropractic Association, which has been a tremendous honor. Dr. Tuck, along with other doctors at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, works with multiple sports teams including Radford University, Ferrum College and the Christiansburg High School Blue Demon Wrestling Team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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A stranger walks in the door and hands you an envelope. You've been served. What do you do next? Find out in this episode of Chiropractical.
This can be a scary time. The decisions you make at this moment can seriously impact the outcome of your malpractice claim. Shanna Patrick has been supporting chiropractors for more than ten years. She walks us through the path of a claim from the moment you're served until the case is marked 'closed.'
In our Ask NCMIC segment, we talk with Chima Igbokwe about a new solution to solve an old practice dilemma in the chiropractic office: getting EHR and payment processing to connect.
Transcript.
You've Been Served: Dos and Don'ts
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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An American Express study says 56% of people tell others about a poor customer service experience, and they tell 33% more people about a negative experience than they do a positive one. What does that mean for you? Having an employee with a bad attitude in the front office can really affect the patient’s experience, and that can have a negative impact your bottom line.
Expert Kim Klapp has been training and coaching practice staff for nearly thirty years. She’s seen and heard it all, and she’s giving us the dirt. In this episode of Chiropractical, she and Mike Whitmer talk about ways chiropractic assistants can make a negative impression on patients even before they come in the door, and how doctors can coach and train their staff to do better for everyone’s benefit.
In our Ask NCMIC segment, Magda Lippold helps us understand when we might choose a lease vs. a purchase.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In 2022, there were 1 billion telehealth visits in the US. That's astounding. In fact, one in five healthcare sessions happened via technology. Clearly, this is a big part of the future of healthcare. Technology has changed the way we watch TV, get our news, buy groceries, get to the airport. It even helps us drive our cars. So how can we use all this technology to improve and strengthen your relationships with your patients?
In this episode of Chiropractical, we talk with Dr. Guy Riekeman about how and why incorporating technology into your practice can strengthen your connection with your patients, save you time and add revenue.
In our Ask NCMIC segment, we look at the dangerous of email phishing. As our expert says, "Hackers only have to trick one person one time. But to protect ourselves, we have to be right every time."
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Opioids are the biggest crisis facing healthcare today, and chiropractors have an important role to play. On this episode of Chiropractical, we're going to take a fresh look and have some new thinking on the topic from Dr. Tim Bertelsman.
Many young, healthy doctors feel life insurance is not something they need right now. We look at why you may want to reconsider.
Additional Material
In this episode we refer to the following resources:
Transcript (PDF) ChiroUp Opioid ToolkitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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If the unthinkable happens in your practice or workplace, you need to be prepared to act quickly. NCMIC’s Chiropractical podcast talks to Crisis Management expert Lieutenant Mark Rehberg about how to handle dangerous situations in your practice and what you can do to protect ourselves, your staff and your patients if someone with a gun or knife enters your office and threatens violence. We discuss:
What goes into a safety plan Run, Hide, Fight Available trainings & resources Situation types: mental health crisis, domestic violence, external threatGet the show notes and podcast transcript here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Hiring post-COVID is a whole different animal. We talk to Dr. Mark Sanna about how to find & keep great chiropractic employees in this new world. And in our Ask NCMIC segment, Mike Whitmer answers a question about standardized informed consent forms.
Links to additional resources can be found below the Transcript.
TRANSCRIPT:
Mike Whitmer:
Hello. Thank you for joining us for NC M I C'S Chiropractic, the podcast that helps doctors do more. I'm Mike Whitmer, NC M I C's, Vice President of Corporate Relations. Do you need to fill an office role? Good luck. Hiring in 2022 isn't the same as it was in 2019. Candidates are hard to find and when you do find someone you want to meet with, the tables are turned. They're going to interview you. Dr. Mark Santa has helped many, many chiropractors with issues around managing their practices of which hiring is a big part.
(00:32) Dr. Santa is CEO of Breakthrough Coaching, an International Healthcare Practice Management consulting firm. Dr. Sanna teaches an outcome based, functionally oriented system of procedures focused on preparing healthcare providers for the prevention and wellness services in high demand in today's healthcare environment. He is a fellow of the International College of Chiropractors, a Foundation for Chiropractic Progress board member, the finance committee chairman for the Chiropractic Summit, and the Future of Chiropractic Strategic Plan Communications committee co-chair. Dr. Sanna, thank you for joining us on Chiropractical.
Dr. Mark Sanna:
Thank you for having me.
Mike Whitmer:
Dr. Sanna, we see the trends. People are quitting their jobs at record levels to seek greener pastures. Why is this happening?
Dr. Mark Sanna:
Mike, I think that the period that we've all gone through just recently with its challenges and the pandemic, really enabled many of us to take a harder look at not only what we do but why we do it. And so we have a period now that folks are referring to as the great resignation. I think maybe it was the great realization that the reason, the why we do what we do, is as important as how we're compensated for what we do.
Mike Whitmer:
Absolutely. I think that a lot of us had time on our hands and a lot of thinking and what kind of fulfillment. And like you say, more than a paycheck. Let's talk about some of the specifics about what's changed and how chiropractors can adapt. Let's start with finding good candidates for positions that you may have open. How has that changed?
Dr. Mark Sanna:
I think to go back to our original premise of why we do what we do, when I first came up in chiropractic practice, the rule was, you hired someone because they made your life easier, and that was the main reason for having an employee. Now we hire someone to compliment our skill sets, to fill in the gaps that we don't have. There's a great book called Traction, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, EOS, by a guy named Geno Wickman. And Geno likes to say it this way, and I think this fits exactly for chiropractors, is that your job in running your business is to be the visionary. You set the vision, you set where we're going, and you need something they call an integrator, somebody to get stuff done.
And so filling in the gaps in your own personal organizational chart in a way that helps your organization move forward, grow, and also benefit not only you as the owner, but the employees as well, I think is really key. And so looking at hiring now is a lot different than just a job description or skill set. If you're hiring for skill set, you're going to be really limiting yourself in terms of the type of employee that you can really have to support you. Before you even think about hiring, take a good look at your core values as an organization, as a practice. What are we here to accomplish? And make sure that we hire folks that are in alignment with that value set.
Mike Whitmer:
So in this new environment, everything has changed, including the interview process. What's changed there? How do we approach interviews in this new environment?
Dr. Mark Sanna:
The internet has totally dramatically changed what the interview process used to be. You'd put an ad in the classifieds and folks would come in, they'd send resumes, et cetera. Now you put something out in Indeed or ZipRecruiter, and you get, no kidding, two, 300 responses. And out of those two, 300 responses, the folks who actually agree to maybe a group Zoom interview might be a third. So we're now down to a hundred or so. The hundred folks who say that they're going to come to that Zoom interview, maybe a half show up from that, maybe. Again, a half, we're down about 25 now, are maybe qualified for the job.
And when you set the in-person interview, if you're lucky, four show up, and the rest just ghost you, they're totally gone. And so you're there, "Is there something wrong with me?" And there's not. It's just the way that the interview process works now, and you're going to have to toughen up to that. That's very disheartening. You're thinking, "Is the posting not correct? What's wrong with what I'm doing?" And the bottom line is people are looking for a job that they can connect with. Making sure that posting really describes not just the hours of the job, full-time job description, et cetera, but why you're there and what they're going to gain and grow from. Being in that position, I think is really key.
Mike Whitmer:
The conversation during an interview has changed. It used to be the employer, the hiring doctor, would go in and ask all the questions, but that's changed too.
Dr. Mark Sanna:
Well, sure. So they've already Googled you, they've checked your LinkedIn profile, they know what your website looks like. When the candidate comes in, and in particular, millennial Gen Z candidates, they're going to be asking you a lot of questions. And that kind of puts some folks who haven't been used to this new process a little bit off. And the idea is they're looking for a match just as much as you are. Gen Z and millennials really want a position that has some social consciousness to it, something that is giving back, that has a higher purpose.
So if you're going to fill a clerical position, you have to connect the dots for the candidate between, how they are going to do their job, whether it's managing patient records or patient files or et cetera, and how in fact, that connects to the bigger place of making a difference in people's lives. And that's where, as chiropractors, we really shine, because we have that tremendous mission as our practices, to make a difference in people's lives. And so being able to verbalize that, make that part of the interview process, make that shine, I think is really important for folks who are going through that process right now.
Mike Whitmer:
Yeah, I think that chiropractors do have kind of a leg up in that they do have this terrific social purpose and place in healthcare. Communicating that is a challenge, I would imagine.
Dr. Mark Sanna:
Very true.
Mike Whitmer:
So once we find a good employee, how do we keep them? What do team members need to stay at their job?
Dr. Mark Sanna:
First of all, some flexibility. If in the past you've been very rigid, as many of us were. From two years ago till today, the whole landscape has changed. We are still in the tail end of this pandemic, and you're going to find maybe your paid time off policy, in which you gave folks a week or maybe two weeks after employment, PTL, the folks are burning through that really quickly. If you think you have to stick to that rigidly and not be flexible in terms of time off, I think that's really key and important to note.
I think what's also really important is to know that a lot of your workforce are parents now, and being rigid in terms of only a full-time position, versus maybe thinking about, could this be two part-time employees who are sharing the duty of that role? And maybe even a step beyond that, thinking about what is actually totally necessary to be onsite in the practice, versus what could possibly be done offsite from home in terms of being able to have childcare and the balance? It's really interesting that 50% now of our chiropractic college students are female. This I think not only holds for the employee, but for the employer as well. Thinking about quality of life balance is super, super important.
Mike Whitmer:
What about benefits as the job market becomes more competitive? Do employers have pressure on benefits offered to employees?
Dr. Mark Sanna:
As chiropractors, we truly do. First of all, when we talk about the starting salary, a couple of years ago, starting salary in a chiropractic practice for a typical chiropractic assistant position might be 11, 12, $13. If you're going to lead with 11, 12, $13, you're going to hear crickets chirping on your Indeed posting. Folks are having to adjust the starting salary up three, four, $5 in some regions, simply to be competitive for that entry level position.
I think the other challenge for us as small business folks is healthcare benefits. Being able to do something toward healthcare. Let's say you're a small chiropractic practice with a doc and a couple of CAs, it's a challenge to be able to pay for a full insurance premium for an employee that could cost seven, eight, nine, a thousand dollars a month. Having some sort of matching fund there, where maybe you pay 30, 40, 50% of their healthcare benefit, and as they gain in longevity in their position, maybe increasing that.
There's an interesting component of the CARES, C-A-R-E-S, CARES Act, and that is a student loan repayment program that a lot of employers don't know about. I think it's $5,250 a year. You can pay an employee and they can receive that tax free, which, if you're talking about an associate or if you're talking about a high level employee, that's a 30% something tax bracket, and you're getting the benefit because it is an actual expense for your practice.
But most importantly, that individual is decreasing their student loan, which now everybody has. Those sorts of creative ways of making the position attractive, lets your potential employee know that you care about them, you care about their future, but it also is a creative way to give you an edge up maybe over some of the other employers that are out there.
Mike Whitmer:
Great point. I've heard it said that people don't quit jobs, they quit their employers, they quit their manager, which really to me comes down to communication. I think many employers, chiropractors included, have always viewed communication as a top down process, which may not be effective in this environment. How has employee communication changed?
Dr. Mark Sanna:
That old authoritarian managerial process where, my way or the highway, here's how we do it, that's no longer going to be successful. By the way, it's just not a great way to run any business. I am a big believer in the motto that there is not one of us who's as smart as all of us together. And when you bring together a team, and you create that free flow of ideas from the bottom up, I like to tease that kind of a glass of champagne, where the bubbles kind of bubble from the bottom up to the top, you want that in your practice.
You don't want folks being on tiptoes or walking on eggshells around the boss, that they can't call us out on what we could do better. Doing things because it's the way we've always done it, simply doesn't work. Being innovative and creative in today's environment is absolutely essential. So letting folks know that we not only honor what it is that they have to say and their opinions, but you can feel free to call me out if I'm not walking my talk as well. Let me know. It's important that we have that type of a relationship.
Mike Whitmer:
Dr. Sanna, thank you so much for helping us with this topic. You've given us some really good things to think about, and some good tips to navigate this challenging employment environment that we're all living through right now.
Dr. Mark Sanna:
Thank you for having me, Mike. I much appreciate you and the team at NCMIC.
Mike Whitmer:
Dr. Sanna gave us a lot to think about. We're putting the transcript of our conversation and links to some articles about hiring in the show notes.
(14:13) Mike Whitmer:
Does NCMIC have an informed consent form for doctors to use in practice? That's the topic of our question this time on Ask NCMIC, where we get quick answers to chiropractic issues. The short answer, doctors, is no. There are a few reasons why. First, the informed consent process is exactly that. It's a process. This is a communication process, a conversation. And while a form is always good to have in the record, the conversation is the most important thing.
Second, rules vary from state to state. What may be required for a form in California may not be required in Ohio. And finally, NCMIC is extremely cautious of setting standards. If we were to publish a form for all our policy holders to use, it would be used against us when defending our doctors. If a doctor doesn't use NCMIC's prescribed language, it could be construed as a breach in the standard. Our top priority is to provide you with the best defense possible, and we don't want to do anything that may compromise our ability to do so.
We do, however, have a sample form available on NCMIC.com. We'll put that link in the show notes. Please understand this is a sample only. We encourage doctors to take the sample, adapt it for their state of practice, and of course, as with any other form you employ in your practice, a review by local legal counsel is a good idea.
Thanks for listening. If you like what you heard, consider giving us a rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does help more people find the podcast. Don't forget to check out the show notes too. Talk again soon.
Other resources of interest:
CARES Act Student Loan Information
A Training Plan Creates a Smooth Transition
How Current is Your Office Policy Manual
Employee Benefits Don't Have to Stress Your Cash Flow
Developing Long-Tern Staff RelationshipsGuest:
MARK SANNA, DC, ACRB Level II, FICC
Many people go through life and never experience their true calling. Dr. Mark Sanna is
one of the few to find his absolute life's work. Dr. Sanna the CEO of Breakthrough
Coaching is an international health care practice management consulting firm that
teaches an outcome-based, functionally-oriented system of procedures that focuses on
preparing health care providers to become the providers of the Prevention and Wellness
services driving healthcare reform today. He is a Fellow of the International College of
Chiropractors, a member of the American Chiropractic Association’s Governors’
Advisory Cabinet, a Foundation for Chiropractic Progress board member, the Finance
Committee chairman for the Chiropractic Summit, and a National Chiropractic Legal
Action Fund board member.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Your job as a DC goes way further than spinal health – but chiropractors aren’t trained to treat mental health. So, what do you do when you have concerns about your chiropractic patient’s state of mind? Dr. Kristina Petroco-Napoli talks about red flags, how to ask the right questions, and when to refer out.
Dr. Petrocco-Napuli is the President of the ACA Council on Women's Health. Recently, in recognition of her service to the profession, she was elected a Fellow in the International College of Chiropractors.
For many years, Dr. Petrocco-Napuli has focused on the integration of practitioners in the patient-centered model of care and evaluating methods of effectively working on a team of healthcare professionals. This interest began many years ago while on an internship at the Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital Chiropractic Clinic and has been reinforced by her involvement on multiple grant projects regarding the training of healthcare providers in inter-collaborative care.
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Summary: We may not have pipers piping or lords a-leaping, but we do have 12 months of lessons learned from the experts on our Chiropractical podcast.
Are you all caught up on Chiropractical this year? If not, join us for the year-in-review where our hosts and special guest Mike Whitmer discuss 2021’s most memorable stories and the lessons we learned from them. And even if you are caught up, you’ll want to tune in for the holly jolly recap. We take a look back at Season 2 and share some of our favorite moments and episodes. We cover topics including professional boundaries, case studies, social media, sports chiropractors and other great stuff relevant to your chiropractic practice.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Innovation in chiropractic communication can spark trouble, and chiropractors need to recognize the digital dangers that can lead to disaster. On this episode of Chiropractical, Attorney Jennifer Herlihy of NCMIC’s defense counsel shares horror stories from digital that played out in real life. Listen to learn what can happen and how to avoid it to maintain a safe and comfortable practice for you and your patients.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This month, we'll look at some cases that had our claims team spooked for a variety of reasons — from a patient who went to a shocking extreme in an attempt to win her case to a DC with a stunningly inappropriate staffing solution.
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