I had a discussion this week with an alumnus who is looking for ideas in regard to the above topic. I told him I would post this on our blog for ideas and suggestions. Preceptors please ask your docs for their thoughts also. Thanks...
Hi , Alexis
Thanks again for some of the tips/advice you offered during our phone call. My question I brought up was relating to what avenues DCs in the field have used to open doors into working with local high schools and colleges athletic departments. I have a few opportunities in my area with the opportunity to make a proposal to their ADs. Thanks again in advance for any suggestions you can afford.
Scott Cichosz DC
Thanks again for some of the tips/advice you offered during our phone call. My question I brought up was relating to what avenues DCs in the field have used to open doors into working with local high schools and colleges athletic departments. I have a few opportunities in my area with the opportunity to make a proposal to their ADs. Thanks again in advance for any suggestions you can afford.
Scott Cichosz DC
Group 3:
ReplyDeleteAfter discussing this topic with my precepting Doctor, she explained that there are a number of avenues to take in order to work with athletes.
1. The first idea was to look from within your practice for athletes who are already patients. By providing excellent and getting patients back on the court, field, or track, they become walking advertisements. Most athletes in certain sports often have similar injuries or ailments. When you can rid of the problem and prevent it from happening again you have a happy athlete, coach and parent. Talking with the coach, athletes and parents about how chiropractic can work to build an injury free team will open the doors to the office for more athletes no matter what sport or school. My preceptor field doctor expressed her desire to bring patients into the office rather than going onto a high school campus. One reason for this is you do not lose your time in the office by going off site. Another reason is there are many modalities and services within the office that would not be provided if a doctor would go to a high school campus. Patients would be provided with better care and a doctors time would not be taken out of his/her office. It is a win win.
2. Another avenue to take would be to present to the school board the benefits of providing chiropractic to the districts young athletes. Offering to do sports physicals for all athletes gives a doctor the opportunity not only the opportunity to become a familiar face but to also educate athletes on how to play at their optimal performance with chiropractic care. Working out a deal with the school to become the athletic department's chiropractor would be great option for doctors who have a passion for working with athletes. However, this option is very time consuming and may take doctors away from their office hours and patients.
Personally, I believe marketing from the inside is the best route to go. Let the athlete patients you have work in your favor.
Great blog topic!!!
Group 4:
ReplyDeleteAndrea- Many of the doctors I’ve worked with in the past did a lot with local high school athletics. They would often donate to have their ad featured in any school program and would offer sports physicals for those kids in the athletic program. One of the doctors was involved with his son’s hockey team and he volunteered as much as he could to help with team activities, wore full fan gear at games he attended, and brought in snacks for the team at practice. Of course if you already have patients that are athletes this would also be a good avenue to get raving reviews and referrals for other fellow athletes that may have similar health concerns.
Ed L- I have worked with DCs who also had a foot in the door with local schools. The one doc would volunteer his time at the Friday night High school football games, being the “team doc” on the sideline. When players had issues on the field, he would be first to evaluate the situation. He would also see the players in his office at no charge to follow up with there care, and shoot xrays when needed.
Alissa-Another idea to get a foot in the door at local high schools and colleges could be to volunteer to do “safety talks” during several of the P.E. classes. It could be on topics such as athlete nutrition, running form, or stretches to perform post event. This could open doors to networking with the teachers and coaches of the teams. Once your become a familiar face to the coaches in that avenue, start attending the team events so they can see you are interested in their success. This way when you broach the topic of becoming a team doctor its someone they are familiar with and can trust.
Ed K- I think a good way of getting into local high schools and colleges would be to volunteer you time as the team doc like Ed said. Showing that you are able to help the athletes perform better by not only adjusting their spines, but also treatments such as extremity adjusting and athletic taping. Also, another way would be to begin by coaching “summer league” athletic teams, showing the players and parents what benefits you have to offer. Gaining the trust of them may increase your chances of getting your clinic into the schools.