Just over three years ago, I wrote an article on How to Run a Chiropractic Practice for Under $1000. It is still one of the most read articles on my site and has stimulated many discussions with other colleagues about how technology is changing the way we practice.
What specifically is stimulating these changes?
Apple’s iPad — these devices, coupled with Apple’s revolutionary iOS software, are literally transforming the way chiropractic offices operate.
Let’s examine three ways the iPad can help transform your practice as you prepare for the New Year.
Patient Education
You can more easily educate your patients about their conditions through the use of apps like Spine Decide from Orca Health.
Besides its fantastic library of spinal anatomy and related disorders, this app allows you to customize its material for patients so that they better understand their condition and treatment protocols. They can then access it through a HIPAA-secure web portal that’s linked to your profile.
The power of its 3D animated videos for educational purposes is much greater than simply providing reading material or telling them about their conditions. It makes the entire process of communicating with patients about their health much simpler.
How does this help you?
Think higher patient retention, improved patient satisfaction and reduced clinical inefficiencies.
I also like the fact that SpineDecide offers a free 14-day trial. This gives you the opportunity to try out all the app’s features without being charged a dime. Then, when the 14-day trial is over, there’s no pressure to subscribe.
However, if you do choose to subscribe at the end of the trial, you simply select a payment plan that works for you — either their monthly subscription for $20 per month or their annual subscription for $200.
Patient Management
In our rapidly changing world, I understand the challenges of finding good Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software. Future Health Chiropractic Management Software, though, is changing the story by delivering a true EHR system that meets the needs of even the most demanding chiropractic practice.
Here is a small sampling of what they offer:
• Billing
• Scheduling
• Record Keeping and Documentation
• Patient Education
• Record Storage
• Business Analytics
As should be expected from a true EHR system, their features work in tandem to increase the efficiency of your clinic, boost profitability, and improve patient outcomes through its SmartCloud technology.
Another nice touch is that you can completely customize it to meet the unique needs of your chiropractic practice no matter what technique you practice. And, to make things even sweeter, you can easily access patient health information, outcome assessments, or even DOT exams through their iPad compatible apps.
The best thing though is that all of these features and benefits come as part of a software package that protects privacy and complies with HIPAA standards and requirements while offering access to authorized users wherever they are, whenever they need it.
To find out more, simply request a demo today to see how useful this EHR can be for your practice.
Office Efficiency
Office efficiency is the profit center for chiropractic practices. To put it another way, the more efficient you run your office, the more profitable your practice will be.
Unfortunately, not every app that promises to improve overall office efficiency can deliver the goods.
The Workflow app, though, does deliver by automating the flow of work by connecting apps with actions. Some people even describe Workflow as an Automator for iOS.
Workflow includes a wide range of actions that allow you to truly customize the experience on your iPad. The following are among those that are of specific interest to a thriving chiropractic practice:
• Contacts
• Calendar
• AirDrop
• Safari
• Facebook
• Dropbox
• Evernote
• iCloud Documents
• Reminders
• Maps
• Photos
• Camera
• And more!
There are more than 100 actions included in Workflow.
The current price is $2.99 which represents a 40 percent discount over its regular price for a limited time. That’s a very small price to pay for an app that literally improves the efficiency of your office.
While the iPad might not at first glance appear to be the most useful tool to bring into your chiropractic practice, once you load the right apps and master the use of cloud storage through services like iCloud, Dropbox and Box, you’ll see for yourself just how useful a tool it can be for improving efficiency, overall patient experience, patient satisfaction, and profit for your practice.
Now is the perfect time to explore your options and look for new ways to make this next year the best year yet for your chiropractic practice. Adding the iPad to your lineup of tools and equipment is a great place to start.
Have you used the iPad to transform your chiropractic practice? What apps have you found useful? Let us know by leaving your thoughts in the comment section below.
Patrick MacNamara, D.C., is the founder of Chiropractic Marketing Websites and DCRank. He also teaches chiropractors how to successfully use the Internet to market their practices through his blog found over at www.nextgenerationchiropractor.com.
