I have spent time with experts who talk about how one can grow the practice by implementing online community tools like Twitter, Blogs, eNewsletters, Facebook etc. There is essentially no cost involved. When communicating with many "younger docs" they are not focusing on how to best use these tools.
One big challenge is building a more trusting relationship with the general public as chiropractors. Surveys have been done where we are far from the top of the list when evaluating which profession is perceived as more trustworthy to the general public. Chiropractors must work more to become the relied-upon trusted information research on health-related issues to improve quality of life.
Why do you think so few docs are using online tools and what can you recommend to help me to get chiropractors more involved/interested?
Sig
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
State Assoc vs. National
I did a survey asking Assoc NJ Chiro (ANJC) if they were a member of either ACA or ICA, and if not why? The responses were rather ugly. No need to go into.
I realize the argument not to join any organization is either 1) WIIFM - What's in it for me, or 2) Too much bickering/disunity and just don't want to partake.
Others might perceive that if the state assoc is effective, then you don't need to support the national org since you don’t believe they could have any impact at a local level.
ANJC has over 60% membership (1600 members). Anticipate around 2200 by end of 2010. When chatting with nonmembers I often ask "what would it take for you to join?”
Along those same lines of thinking, I am trying to find out what it would take to join a national organization. Give me one other reason other than “I would join if ACA/ICA unified.”
Many state associations are active nationally supporting efforts of ACA/ICA in Wash, DC. In fact, we are heading up to Wash, DC with a contingency through the efforts of ACA’s NCLC during late Feb.
In addition, I just spoke with a top official at the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (www.COCSA.org); members are leaders of every state association. He had a good idea that might entice some to join their state/national organizations. I actually tried this 5 years ago and it worked nicely.
Here is the idea: What if after joining approx. 25-30 national vendors provided you a FREE gift pack of products/services valued at $4000 if you joined your state assoc. and $7500 if you joined your state and national organization; along with that you received a 60-day free trial to one or both organizations? Would that get you to pull the trigger?
ANJC provides a 2-month free trial where we also get the credit card info on the potential member so at the end of that trial period we begin billing the monthly fee. If the doctor wants to discontinue membership they would have to call the association and make that request. I’ve done this for years and attracted over 300 new members and lost only two.
Thoughts please…
Sig
I realize the argument not to join any organization is either 1) WIIFM - What's in it for me, or 2) Too much bickering/disunity and just don't want to partake.
Others might perceive that if the state assoc is effective, then you don't need to support the national org since you don’t believe they could have any impact at a local level.
ANJC has over 60% membership (1600 members). Anticipate around 2200 by end of 2010. When chatting with nonmembers I often ask "what would it take for you to join?”
Along those same lines of thinking, I am trying to find out what it would take to join a national organization. Give me one other reason other than “I would join if ACA/ICA unified.”
Many state associations are active nationally supporting efforts of ACA/ICA in Wash, DC. In fact, we are heading up to Wash, DC with a contingency through the efforts of ACA’s NCLC during late Feb.
In addition, I just spoke with a top official at the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (www.COCSA.org); members are leaders of every state association. He had a good idea that might entice some to join their state/national organizations. I actually tried this 5 years ago and it worked nicely.
Here is the idea: What if after joining approx. 25-30 national vendors provided you a FREE gift pack of products/services valued at $4000 if you joined your state assoc. and $7500 if you joined your state and national organization; along with that you received a 60-day free trial to one or both organizations? Would that get you to pull the trigger?
ANJC provides a 2-month free trial where we also get the credit card info on the potential member so at the end of that trial period we begin billing the monthly fee. If the doctor wants to discontinue membership they would have to call the association and make that request. I’ve done this for years and attracted over 300 new members and lost only two.
Thoughts please…
Sig
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
NJ Passes Scope of Practice - What's Included
Association of NJ Chiropractors Lauds Passage of New Scope of Practice - S-565 / A-2029
The Association of New Jersey Chiropractors, which represents approximately 1600 chiropractors statewide, is extremely grateful and pleased with the vote completed on Monday, January 11, 2010, in the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly that ushers in a new scope of practice for chiropractic care in the state for the first time since 1953.
Senate bill S-565 sponsored by Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Loretta Weinberg, and Assembly bill A-2029, sponsored by Assembly leader Bonnie Watson Coleman, Assemblyman Diegnan, Assemblyman DeAngelo and Assemblyman Scalera were passed with clear majorities.
ANJC has been working closely in a bipartisan manner with state legislators over the past five years to enact passage of this long overdue scope of practice change, which enhances the way chiropractors treat and manage patients. There are over 3000 chiropractors actively practicing in New Jersey who will benefit.
“This new scope of practice is not only historic for the chiropractic profession in New Jersey but, most importantly, serves as a victory for the one million patients we treat statewide each year who benefit from chiropractic care,” said Dr. Steven Clarke, President of the ANJC.
Dr. Sigmund Miller, ANJC executive director, goes on to say, “The chiropractic profession has turned the corner with the passage of our scope of practice. Chiropractic patients and the general public will benefit mostly, as chiropractors continue to serve as the cultural authority on wellness and in improving the quality of life for thousands of people, statewide.”
Some of the components legislated by this new scope of practice include:
The Association of New Jersey Chiropractors, which represents approximately 1600 chiropractors statewide, is extremely grateful and pleased with the vote completed on Monday, January 11, 2010, in the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly that ushers in a new scope of practice for chiropractic care in the state for the first time since 1953.
Senate bill S-565 sponsored by Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Loretta Weinberg, and Assembly bill A-2029, sponsored by Assembly leader Bonnie Watson Coleman, Assemblyman Diegnan, Assemblyman DeAngelo and Assemblyman Scalera were passed with clear majorities.
ANJC has been working closely in a bipartisan manner with state legislators over the past five years to enact passage of this long overdue scope of practice change, which enhances the way chiropractors treat and manage patients. There are over 3000 chiropractors actively practicing in New Jersey who will benefit.
“This new scope of practice is not only historic for the chiropractic profession in New Jersey but, most importantly, serves as a victory for the one million patients we treat statewide each year who benefit from chiropractic care,” said Dr. Steven Clarke, President of the ANJC.
Dr. Sigmund Miller, ANJC executive director, goes on to say, “The chiropractic profession has turned the corner with the passage of our scope of practice. Chiropractic patients and the general public will benefit mostly, as chiropractors continue to serve as the cultural authority on wellness and in improving the quality of life for thousands of people, statewide.”
Some of the components legislated by this new scope of practice include:
- Term chiropractic subluxation, for the first time, is now written into statute.
- Permits chiropractors to provide dietary/nutritional counseling, and the ability to dispense nutritional supplements.
- Permits chiropractors to diagnose, analyze and treat all joints and soft tissues of the body independent of spinal subluxation.
- Splinting and bracing, for the first time, will be put into law so that collars, braces and sports taping are forever adjuncts to chiropractic care.
- Permits chiropractors to administer physical modalities and therapeutic, rehabilitative and strengthening exercises.
- Chiropractors can sign or certify temporary or permanent impairments and other certifications consistent with a chiropractic practice, such as pre-employment screenings.
- Makes it unlawful for any person, other than a NJ licensed chiropractor, to render a utilization management decision that limits, restricts or curtails a course of chiropractic care.
- Consistent with chiropractic practice provide a full complement of diagnostic and analytical tests similar to other physicians.
- Requires chiropractors to maintain malpractice liability insurance.
- Requires chiropractors every two years to complete 30 credits for continuing education.
For more information contact ANJC executive director by emailing sig@anjc.info or calling headquarters at 908.722.5678.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Chiropractic Credibility Gap
I'm addressing an issue many choose to ignore or are simply not minful of. Why if so many people suffer from chronic pain resulting in reduced quality of life, why then at the very least don't these folks have chiropractic care on their list of treatment options? I suggest there exists a significant credibility gap; that is chiropractors are not generally trusted by many throughout the community they serve. If that's not the case then please provide a simple explanation as to why we continue to see a very small percentage of the overall general population? We must work to become a relied-upon trusted information resource throught our communities. What say you? - Sig
Chiropractic State Associations - One lawsuit from going out of business
I serve as exec. director for Assoc of NJ Chiropractors. We have 1600 members (60% of members). We unified 6 years ago and have had major soon-to-be and completed accomplishments ie expand scope; class actions on Aetna/BCBS; Supreme Court decision to win back extremity adjusting, etc.
My concern is most state assoc are hurting financially and fewer and fewer doctors are members supporting. I understand the typical reasons why BUT...have you considered that a state association is the only entity in a state positioned to fight the fight on your behalf as a practicing chiropractor? It's not the Board of Examiners; they are there to protect the general public, not you.
If I was representing a payer and wanted to destroy state assoc, it was be easy. Most of them are one law suit away from going broke. I would make a change in claims handling that undermines what you do; then force you to seek a legal remedy and in no time you're out of business because the monies gone. I realize this is harsh but tell me what I'm missing. - Sig
My concern is most state assoc are hurting financially and fewer and fewer doctors are members supporting. I understand the typical reasons why BUT...have you considered that a state association is the only entity in a state positioned to fight the fight on your behalf as a practicing chiropractor? It's not the Board of Examiners; they are there to protect the general public, not you.
If I was representing a payer and wanted to destroy state assoc, it was be easy. Most of them are one law suit away from going broke. I would make a change in claims handling that undermines what you do; then force you to seek a legal remedy and in no time you're out of business because the monies gone. I realize this is harsh but tell me what I'm missing. - Sig
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