• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Retain patients with visual diagnostics

Christina DeBusk December 3, 2015

Instrument-adjusting-visual-diagnostics-webEngage patients for better outcomes

One of the reasons infographics have gained popularity in recent years is because they take complex topics or ideas and make them easy to understand. They use visuals (charts, images, and other media) to help express their points, processes, or opinions. This same benefit can be achieved in the healthcare field by using visual diagnostics, improving patient understanding so they are engaged in their own care.

Better patient care

In a report published by the Institute of Medicine, the authors note that “the delivery of care often is overly complex” which can lead to “loss of information” and, ultimately, lower levels of care.1 Their suggestion is to change the way the healthcare system functions so that patients can experience better, more effective care. This can be accomplished using a patient-centered model, and one of the institute’s six “aims of quality” when taking this approach is increased patient engagement.2

With increased engagement, patients will become interested in making informed decisions about their own healthcare. This makes practitioner and patients partners in the healthcare process, and enables the patient to retain control of their healthcare choices.

With a clearer understanding of both current and future health-related goals, patients will truly understand available preventative and treatment options.

Use visual diagnostics for patient engagement

Visual diagnostics are a great way to improve patient engagement. They make educating patients a simpler process. Your patients will be able to interpret the same information that you use to make your recommendations and suggestions to patients.

To better illustrate, consider this example: If you’re not familiar with car engines or why they break, you’ll find yourself easily lost when a mechanic describes what needs to be done to fix one. However, if you’re able to understand the diagnostics yourself, you wind up with a clearer explanation of what’s wrong with your vehicle and allows you to intelligently decide what the best course of action is based on your wants and needs.

Visual diagnostics for chiropractic

As a visual diagnostic tool, X-rays are great to show patients’ what is going on under the skin. Digital X-rays are more easily accessible and sharable with patients. Some EHR software will allow for X-rays to be stored with patient histories for better progress-tracking, but not all EHRs offer this option.

If your EHR doesn’t offer this, there are adjusting instruments that connect to a monitor. They display data such as where subluxations or problem areas are and patient progress over several visits.3

Other types of visuals that can help provide patents with easy to understand information include informative posters, models of spinal columns, and information patients can take home.

The more your patients understand what is going on in their body, the more engaged they become in their treatment. Patient outcomes and retention are improved when you use visual diagnostics to facilitate patient understanding.

 

References

1 Institute of Medicine. “Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century.” [e-book]. Washington, D.C.

2 Davis K et al. A 2020 Vision of Patient-Centered Primary Care. J Gen Intern Med. 2005;20(10):953-7.

3 Sigma Instruments. “Products.” http://sigma-instruments.com/shop/. Accessed December 2, 2015. Published July 2015. Accessed November 2015.

Related Posts

  • Mastering the perfect chiropractic office visitMastering the perfect chiropractic office visit
  • Why do infographics make great marketing tools?Why do infographics make great marketing tools?
  • Analyzing the results: Computerassisted adjustmentsAnalyzing the results: Computerassisted adjustments
  • Authors: Healthcare reform should start with evidencedbased financial incentivesAuthors: Healthcare reform should start with evidencedbased financial incentives
  • Incorporating instrument adjusting into a collaborative practiceIncorporating instrument adjusting into a collaborative practice
  • Instrument adjusting for postureInstrument adjusting for posture

Filed Under: Instrument Adjusting

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • MediHerb® introduces Ashwagandha Forte for patient sleep, stress, immunity support
  • HealthLight expands to include blue light therapy for chiropractors
  • Chiropractic student scholarships awarded by National Board of Chiropractic Examiners