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.

Trading time for dollars is not necessarily a challenge exclusive to chiropractors or healthcare workers; any service oriented business has the same problem. 

For those who provide a service and are not bothered by this exchange they either really like what they are doing or they are making a lot of money doing it; maybe both.  If I had to be trading time for dollars I can’t think of a better vocation to do this with; I love being a chiropractor.  My challenge is as the business of healthcare continues to be more absurd with each passing day, the infamous “Burn Out” becomes more and more imminent!  With burn out comes depressing thoughts of trading time for dollars.  Actually, as much as I DO love chiropractic, burnout has occurred for me.  It actually started to rear its ugly head at about year number 17 or 18, 2002 or 2003.  Not too bad; I lasted about 18 years!  For the many chiropractors I have spoken with, burn out can come as early as after 3 or 4 years.  The question I have is, is burn out a by-product of length of service or is it just a sign of the times?

Are you burned out?  I suspect that if you are reading this that you maybe, in fact, at least on the verge of burn out.  What is your precipiting factor, or factors?  Heck, just the thought of needing to be in the office to actually be making money could be a factor for many.  You know in years gone by a chiropractor, or any other healthcare worker for that matter, could make a decent living.  No question that there maybe some who may still be doing that.  However, I dare say that the vast majority are making less, BUT the big second question is where are you putting your money to create that “nest-egg”?  Investment are clearly challenging, risky, and often times much less fruitful than they once were.

Again, I love what I do, but it would be nice to tap into a program that creates a secondary stream of passive income, money you make while sitting on the beach or while sleeping.  Imagine that!

In fact, over the past 4-5 years I have learned a lot about this industry and I can’t wait to share it with you.  Go ahead and click through MY Dream and My Solutions to see the journey I have had and where I am heading.

And, Click Here if you are really interested in pursuing YOUR dreams.

Thanks for visiting . . . until next time at Frustrated With Healthcare.

Plop down your credit card, hit the fast-food stand, take a pill; whether we are satisfying a whim to purchase something, satisfying our hunger, or medicating an ache or pain, instant gratification is as American as apple pie, baseball,  and bariatric surgery.  Maybe our current economic situation has, at least, temporarily quelled our desire to overspend, but we all know that we have all become accustom to getting what we want when we want it; instant gratification.

Who’s to blame for Americans becoming so spoiled, and trust me, I can be just as guilty as the next person . . . ; it’s so hard to avoid.  As a society we have become lazy and dependent; we depend, or have depended, on credit card companies to provide our little trinkets, fast food companies to fill our belly, and pharmaceutical companies to pump us full of drugs.  With the help of mass media, these industries have each contributed in their own way to our gradual demise.

So what’s the point; how does this all relate to our frustration with healthcare?  Well, first and foremost, is the time issue; what do we tell our patients, “It takes time to get sick and it therefore takes time to get well”.  As chiropractors, we know that all too often whether our new patient feels better or not, they “check out”, either completely or partially, once they have reached their limit, which could be based upon finances or their pre-conceived timeframe expectations.

Another instant gratification frustration we face as healthcare providers is the “fix me” mentality, which stems from the “quick fix” promises of the pharmaceutical companies; “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is”.  All we need is a pill, potion, or a special lotion to be cured . . .   “so tell me again doc why do I need to do those exercises?”

As a healthcare provider, this can all be VERY frustrating, especially when I know that a little compliance would make all the difference in the world for a patient to get a phenomenal result as apposed to just a mediocre one.  And, to make matters worse we know that any result that falls short typically will result in a chronic condition.  Unfortunately, who’s to blame when this happens?  That’s right; either the doctor, the treatment method, or both.  Again, VERY frustrating for a healthcare provider. 

Now before you go and think that I am pointing fingers, remember what I said at the top, I am often times just as guilty of falling prey of the need for instant gratification.  However, this does not necessarily make it any less frustrating, especially when I know I could have helped that patient who stopped care too early. 

After 24 years in practice you’d think it would get easier.  The truth is, at least for me the need for instant gratification seems to be more prevalent.  And, please don’t lump me in with one of those providers that doesn’t care about their patients.  If you knew me, you would know that I take an inordinate amount of time helping my patients understand chiropractic and the role stress plays in their life; it causes subluxation, the very thing we treat.  Additionally, I make sure they understand that stress causes heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and about 80-90% of all disease processes.  Collectively, these are lifestyle conditions, which are best “treated” by a chiropractic lifestyle, not with drugs!  And yet, it distresses me that during tough economic times patients often view chiropractic as a luxury, instead of the necessity that it is!

I love chiropractic, I’m proud to be a chiropractor, I love helping people change their life and become more vital; I am sorry to say that, after 24 years I am tired of the need to keep reinforcing the need for chiropractic care.  I mean, Socratic method and all, there are times where I sound like a broken record.  How does it go, ”If they knew what you knew, they’d do what you do”.  The rest of that story should be, “but be aware of the need for instant gratification!”  I guess I am just burned out from needing to overcome the brainwashing of the legal drug pushers; ”plop, plop, fizz, fizz”. 

That’s it for now, until next time at www.frustratedwithhealthcare.com