Classroom education A laboratory for learning
By Kent S. Greenawalt

Online education is cost-effective and quick. But going back to the classroom for continuing education provides a unique opportunity for professional growth.

Among the options for earning license-renewal credits, classroom learning is a great way to remain connected and competitive in your field.

The combination of experiential learning and peer interaction makes the classroom seminar one of the best educational tools for sharpening the professional edge.

According to Chiropractic Economics 8th Annual Salary and Expense Survey Report (Vol. 51, Issue 6, p. 21), 68.7 percent of chiropractors are in solo practice. If you are one of these solo practitioners, you are often faced with making important decisions on clinical protocols, technique and therapies, equipment purchases, staffing and marketing — without advice from anyone else.

A solution to staying connected is to have others to lean on. Classroom seminars can provide resources and support that may not be available in your community.

THE CLASSROOM MODEL FOR SUCCESS

Why invest time and money in continuing-education seminars? These sessions offer a variety of benefits that you may not get in daily practice.

• Professional networking. The classroom brings you into contact with a professional instructor and other doctors who, collectively, have a wide range of experience in the field. Meeting new people and developing relationships creates sources of support for clinical consulting, business analysis and decision-making.

• Practice management. In addition to teaching clinical technique, many instructors include direction on insurance reimbursement, marketing and use of support staff in seminar content.

• Clinical skill building. Live demonstration and step-by-step instruction are benefits unique to classroom seminars. Experiential learning is the most successful method for mastering clinical technique. Hands-on adjustments are performed in the classroom with immed-iate instructor feedback. Practicing the techniques in the classroom makes them easier to implement in your office.

• Staff development. A staff formally instructed in insurance, billing, products and equipment used in patient care adds value to the practice. Off-site classroom training with peer interaction is a most effective learning forum for chiropractic assistants. Time and money spent training your CA in administrative and clinical procedure is an investment in your practice.

• Product knowledge. Live seminars provide opportunities to test products and equipment firsthand, which helps you make better decisions on adjunct therapies. Vendor representatives are available to explain usage, answer questions and order your supplies.

How to pick a classroom seminar

To select the best in classroom seminars, look for these features:

• Professional speakers. The seminar you choose should be conducted by experienced and well-trained chiropractors with practice specialties related to their seminar topics. Speaker credentials should appear prominently in seminar promotions. The sponsoring organization can help guide you in identifying speakers that will address the appropriate subject matter and learning style for you.

• Interactive format. A live seminar should be interactive. Check the seminar program for scheduled Q&A and hands-on demonstration sessions in addition to lectures.

• Lecture notes and visual aids. Make sure the seminar provides lecture notes prepared by the instructor. This minimizes your note-taking, allowing you to give your full attention to the speaker, and equips you with reference material to use in your practice. Check to see if the instructor uses slides or a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate concepts and facilitate learning.

• Post-seminar support. You will need access to the information afterwards when you implement your new skills. Find out if post-seminar contact with the speaker is possible. Check into the availability of learning aids and references at the seminar or from the sponsoring organization.

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR SEMINAR

How can you maximize the benefits received from classroom seminars? The following guidelines can make the difference between a weekend’s outing and a career-boosting experience.

• Participate actively. Attend all sessions and get involved by asking questions and participating in demonstrations. Do not hesitate to approach the speaker and other participants to discuss key concepts. Make plans to contact doctors you meet to share experiences afterwards.

• Use the tools. Review seminar notes and purchase instructive texts, videos, audio tools and products offered at the seminar to support your new protocols.

• Practice what you learn. Put your new skills to work as soon as you return to the office. The longer you wait to start using them, the less likely you will be to implement and profit from them.

• Get multiple exposures. It may take more than one course to become fully proficient and confident in new techniques. Follow up with a refresher course of the same type as soon as possible to advance your skills.

BEFORE YOU SIGN UP, BECOME INFORMED

It pays to know the options for fulfilling your annual licensing requirements. Since license renewal is a key reason to take part in continuing education, check with your state’s licensing board for acceptable courses and course formats. Knowing state requirements before enrolling in courses of any type is a good business practice that will help you avoid wasting time and money.

Kent S. Greenawalt is president and CEO of Foot Levelers, Inc. in Roanoke, Va. He is also chairperson of Foot Levelers’ educational division, which presents license-renewal seminars and other programs throughout the nation. For more information on seminars and other products and services, call 800-553-4860.