How chiropractors address the opioid crisis and telehealth, Part II

Avoid mistake with the opioid crisis and telehealth by staying within your scope of practice and improving health through natural, proven solutions

In Part I of this two-part series, Tabor Smith, DC, answered questions about how chiropractors can address the opioid crisis and telehealth, what they can and can’t do, and the biggest challenges to treating them via telehealth.

In this part, Smith covers mistakes DCs can make, the importance of continuing to treat opioid patients, and virtual tools they can use:

What are the biggest mistakes chiropractors can make with opioid crisis and telehealth?

As a chiropractor, it’s never within our scope to recommend medications or take a patient off their medications, but it’s our job to help patients see opportunities to improve their health through natural, proven solutions – solutions they would probably never hear about from their mainstream medical doctor.

The solutions you are providing your patients can be packaged in many different formats that can provide income for your practice.  For example, you can charge patients for your time by seeing a consultation price for every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1-hour phone or video calls.

You can create a series of educational videos and host them on a membership area in your website, or conduct group trainings that you allow a group of patients to attend.  You can charge a price for live consults, trainings, and classes you give and then offer products like exercise equipment, spinal hygiene kits and/or appropriate vitamins, and supplements you recommend during your sessions.

Why is it important for chiropractors to continue treating opioid patients via telehealth?

Just because there is a pandemic going on outside doesn’t mean people’s aches and pains are going to slow down. In fact, in many cases the isolation and stress from quarantines and lockdowns can make their pain and problems even worse.

It’s important for us as chiropractors to take care of our patients. If that means we have to shift from less physical (adjustments) to more mental (education), then so be it. The knowledge you have is valuable and useful. Your patients will pay good money for it.

I’ve found that many times, the philosophy of chiropractic is just as valuable as the application. If you will dedicate yourself to doing whatever it takes to help people, even if that means it’s over the phone or computer, I’m certain you’ll find success and fulfillment with treating the opioid crisis and telehealth.

What are some of the available tools?

It’s important to know the tools for going virtual are already out there. All it takes is a little time and dedication to discover what works for you and your patients.

Some of the online tools I’ve found useful are:

• ActiveCampaign (email software)
• us (video chat software)
• WebinarJam (webinar platform)
• ClickFunnels (landing pages, sales pages, and membership sites)
• Instagram and Facebook (social media advertising)

There are many more resources out there, but the ultimate goal is to provide your community with valuable information, products, and services in regard to the opioid crisis and telehealth.  Focus on providing all of that consistently and you will continue to build your audience and your business even during a pandemic.