Frustrated With Health Care

Even if we are doing “everything right” in practice to stay the course by keeping a positive attitude, thinking abundance, doing outside talks, and asking for referrals, you’d have to be some sort of “superchiro” not to be feeling the affects of the down economy.  And of course we still have health care insurance companies “beating us up”; it would appear that us New Yorkers aren’t the only ones affected.  So really now, how much of this can we take?!  It would seem that us chiropractors are the new second class citizen.  

The truth is that from my perspective our current healthcare situation doesn’t make me a happy camper.  You see, I have always had aspirations of being wealthy; yes, even in my decision to pursue chiropractic.  Not withstanding this, you know that I did, and still do, have a strong attraction to the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic.  However, when I decided to become a chiropractor, this was just icing on the cake, since I felt that I could make a good living as a chiropractor, which I thought would be parlayed into “fame and fortune”.  Let’s face it, as a self-employed chiropractor we are taking risks, which we are supposed to be rewarded; the question is, are we?

Early in my chiropractic career I dreamed that the money would begin to roll in, which would give rise to investment opportunities.  Then of course, at the end of the trail, I’d have a great practice that a young and aspiring chiropractor would purchase from me for at least $250K . . . my how times have changed?!

Again, not withstanding this, I still dream . . . you see, I happen to be one of those crazy people that believes that while money may not bring me happiness, it is a whole lot easier to be happy with money than without.  In fact, for the most part, I don’t believe you will find too many rich people saying that money doesn’t bring you happiness.  Think about it for a minute, if money was not a consideration, how would you live your life; how would your life be different?  Wouldn’t you be happier doing the things you enjoy doing?  Well . . . I’m sorry to say, but to live the life of your dreams it takes money.  In fact, wouldn’t you agree that as a rich person you would be a much bigger asset to society, to your community?  You bet you would; I know I would!  Not only would I contribute greatly to the local economy, but I would have more time and resources to give back to my community.  I happen to be an active member of our local Lion’s Club; they would benefits dramatically.  Historically, I have given unselfishly to our church; they would also reap the rewards of my good fortune.  Think of the civic organizations you can help; how about your church?  This is something I have thought about for quite a while, and I still do.

While I love serving my community with quality chiropractic care, I no longer have the delusion that it will fulfill my financial dreams.  This is why I have diversified.  This is why I have pursued network marketing over the years, and this is why I have turned to the internet to study Internet Marketing!

Since I no longer feel the need to continue venting, which just perpetuates negative energy, I feel the need to transition this blog to a more positive direction of solutions to the healthcare frustration.  In this vain, it would be my pleasure to share internet marketing ideas that I have learned that would benefit you in any product you would like to market, including chiropractic.

What are your ideas?  Are you more into venting or solutions?  Certainly I can continue with the occasional bitch session, but I think this blog would be better served with constructive solutions.

Just when I think I’ve gotten it all out of my system and I’m ready to start talking about some positive, constructive stuff another article comes across my desk that I feel compelled to discuss.  This is yet another article that adds to my frustration, and yet, supports my moving forward plans.

The newest article was in this past weekend’s Parade; “Don’t Let the Economy Endanger Your Health”.  This hard-hitting story reports some sobering facts about how people are reacting to the economy relative to their health.  In fact, based upon conversations I’ve had with many other doctors these figures come as no surprise. 

Startling results of a survey from the American Heart Association reveal that 57% of those surveyed report that the economy has affected their ability to take care of their health.  The impact is obviously greater amount those with lower incomes, although 33% of those earning $75,000 or more say that they also feel the squeeze.  People are forgoing lifesaving care; 10% have reportedly stopped or reduced their medication for chronic diseases such as high cholesterol and asthma.  13% have elected to not get a flu shot, while 18% have avoided getting needed exams like mammograms. 

However, in reality the state of our economy may not be completely to blame for this; health care has just gotten to be so freakin’ expensive.  In 1970, Americans spent approximately 7% of their budget on health care.  At 17% for 2008, this represents a 2.4 trillion dollar outlay, which exceeded our spending on housing or food.  The truth is that the U.S. leads the world in advanced specialty care; as such, we spend more money on health care than any other nation in the world, and what do we have to show for it?  In spite of our huge price tag, the World Health Organization reports that the U.S. is ranked 31st in over all health as compared to all other industrialized nations; a very sad commentary!

So, what does the author, George Anders, recommend us to do?  He suggests that prevention must be our priority and that we should find creative efforts to encourage wellness; sound familiar?  To me, this sounds like it is right out of a chiropractor’s mouth, after all, isn’t this what chiropractic is?  All we need to do is demonstrate that our care is wellness orientated and that we are a great health care option; that’s all it should take, right?  Well, actually, I believe that because of the economy another part of this puzzle is to demonstrate affordability and possibly re-think our fees in these tight economic times.

Like most chiropractors my desire has always been to help as many people as possible.  In fact, in my career there have been times where it was not uncommon for me to see upwards of 90-100 patients a day in my practice.  Today, I’m lucky if I see 30-40 a day; clearly a significant drop.  So what happen?  Did these patient’s condition get better?  Do they all-of-a-sudden no longer require my services?  Obviously not!  The solution?  We just have to find newer more modern ways to communicate with our patients to bring them back in.  Lightening bolts in the Yellow Pages doesn’t work.