Communicating the Principles: Patient Education Every Visit

Michael W. Shreeve, D.C., L.C.P. Palmer College of ChiropracTIC Florida Campus

Learning Objectives

Explore methods to explain the science, philosophy, and art of chiropractic to a variety of audiences Explore the positive chan es that can occur in patients! lives throu h specific spinal ad"ustments # chiropractic care. Discuss methods of effective patient education a$out the positive results from chiropractic care

Whats Your Objective?

% % %

Expand a patient!s understandin of chiropractic principles

Lan ua e they can understand Analogies to &hich they can relate 'Small chun(s! at a time

Every visit % a patient education opportunity)

Patients

All walks of life -Housewives, Professionals, Plumbers, Electricians, Hairdressers, . . . .

 You have an inborn or innate ability to be well and to get well. There may be times when you are not well. Chiropractic helps maintain or restore wellness by careful attention to your bodys own healing ability. This depends on the nervous system and its ability to control. ccurate communication by the nervous system is a primary factor in health. Chiropractors identify circumstances where your body structure! particularly your spine! is interfering with the functions of your nervous system! and removes that interference.

Patients

Patients

"o symptoms# $ften! people confuse a symptom%free state with wellness. &essons from the Titanic . . .

Patients

The goal of the chiropractor is to help you achieve the ma'imum e'pression of life and health! not merely to ma(e you feel better. )t is important to have a regular chiropractic chec(%up because we can identify many problems with the spine and nervous system before you become symptomatic %% often before you are aware of them.

Patients

*lectrician +usiness e'ecutive ,ousewife

An Example

Grade School
Grade School hildren
Chiropractors are doctors. -octors help people. Chiropractors can help people when they are sic(! and also if they want to grow up healthy and strong. Your body is intelligent . /ust li(e you.

Children

Grade School hildren

0hat happens when you cut yourself or brea( a bone# Cuts and bro(en bones heal. The body can often heal itself when its sic(. ,ow does your body (now what to do# The same way you (now what to do % you get instructions.

Grade School hildren

"erves from all parts of your body tell your brain what needs to be done. "erves from the brain give your body instructions so it can stay healthy. Problems in your spine! or bac(bone! can hurt nerves! and the messages between your brain and the rest of your body can get mi'ed up. )f this happens! part of your body might hurt or not wor( right. Chiropractors can correct spinal problems and help the right messages to get through! so you can get better and stay that way1

An Example
You are sic( and have a fever. 0hats going on#

Students

Hi!h School " olle!e ,igh 2chool 3 College 2tudents

Chiropractic is a clinical science based on the biologic law of homeostasis and the theories and hypotheses dealing with the structure% function relationship in health.

Hi!h School " olle!e Students

The hypothesis that /oint malposition and dysfunction! especially in the spinal column! can cause nervous system dysfunction is the basis for research! which is leading to new (nowledge that shows the importance of chiropractic as a ma/or system for health care.

The Media
The Media

Television, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines

Chiropractic is a specialized profession in the health care system. Today it is well known that without interference, the body can heal itself. The Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), deals with those factors within the body that promote healing and prevent illness, without drugs or surgery. Chiropractors focus on interactions in the neurological and musculoskeletal systems.

The Media
ur research shows that structural problems can lead to interference in the nervous system that distorts communications and control mechanisms within the body. Chiropractors make corrections that restore proper communication and coordination, which leads to increased levels of well!being. "ou might say that a Doctor of Chiropractic is, in a sense, a Doctor of Communication.

4overnment! &egal! )nsurance

Education for Those Who Impact Laws That Govern Your Profession 0ithin the health care system! Chiropractic is a licensed profession whose practitioners serve as primary portal of entry health care providers concerned with the neurological and musculos(eletal systems! as they relate to health and disease. Chiropractic functions to enhance the individuals ability to be healthy without drugs and surgery. )t is based on the concept that at every level of organi5ation in the body! structure determines function.
$ne common structural problem for which specific ad/ustments are made is the 6ertebral 2ublu'ation Comple' 762C8! which is part of our scope of practice that may also include such rehabilitative and3or preventive measures as e'ercise! rest! nutrition! and other procedures identified by state licensure laws.

Government, #e!al, $nsurance

Government, #e!al, $nsurance

Government, #e!al, $nsurance

reas not covered by state licensure! or falling outside of the chiropractors scope of practice would lead to referral and3or concurrent care with other health care professionals.

Government, #e!al, $nsurance

As a Chiropractor . . .

We communicate poorly and that is a fact *n +,-., approximately +/0 of the 1.S. population sa& chiropractors *n .//2, &e provide chiropractic care to less than +/0 of the 1.S. population Education a$out &ho &e are and &hat &e do is a ma"or and si nificant pro$lem &ithin our profession 3oin me in tellin the Chiropractic story 4rm yourself &ell

Critical mass is !hen ever"one understands and demands.#

5When the pu$lic understands chiropractic, &ould they $e &illin to hold you at unpoint demandin that you provide chiropractic service to themselves and their families67