Chiropractors often face challenges in marketing their services compared to medical doctors and dentists. However, the concept of medically integrated practices offers a solution. By embracing this model, chiropractors can tap into the market advantage of medical doctors and provide patients with comprehensive care.
Closing the Gap: Chiropractic vs. Medical Care
According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractors treat over 27 million patients annually. However, statistics show that a smaller percentage of the population seeks chiropractic treatment compared to medical care. Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 83.6% of U.S. citizens visit medical healthcare practitioners within a year, while only 25% of U.S. adults have sought chiropractic treatment in the past five years. Nevertheless, studies by the National Institute of Health indicate that chiropractic care can be highly effective in reducing pain, with 94% of patients experiencing significant relief.
Reaching the Public: A Marketing Challenge
Chiropractors and their patients are aware of the effectiveness of chiropractic care, but convincing the wider public remains a challenge. To bridge this gap, chiropractors engage in intensive marketing, community outreach and expanding their staff. Meanwhile, many medical doctors struggle with a high patient load and limited time for each interaction.
Recognizing the market advantage of medical doctors, chiropractors are increasingly embracing medically integrated practices. These practices combine medical professionals’ expertise with chiropractic care, offering patients a comprehensive treatment approach. Medically integrated practices generate more revenue than chiropractic-only practices and eliminate the need for extensive marketing campaigns. Moreover, they help educate the public about the benefits of chiropractic care.
Building Trust and Embracing Change
In integrated practices, skeptics often embrace chiropractic treatment when recommended by a physician. Additionally, individuals who may have never considered chiropractic treatment become regular patients, advocating for its benefits. Chiropractic packaged within a medical office becomes a bonus for new patients.
Changing Roles and Expanding Opportunities
While financially lucrative, integrated practices require chiropractors to assume the role of chief executive, overseeing practice operations instead of solely providing adjustments. This shift allows for stronger foundations, enhanced staff and business development and improved quality of care. With an increasing number of patients seeking conventional medical care, practice owners can reduce their investment in marketing efforts.
Amplifying the Impact: The Value of Integration
Medically integrated practices offer medical providers a fresh perspective on chiropractic care and provide patients with additional tools for their treatment plans. Patients view chiropractic as a valuable component of their overall healthcare journey. In contrast, medical doctors often face the challenge of managing patient expectations and resort to quick fixes such as prescriptions. Medically integrated practices provide a departure from this pharmaceutical-centric approach.
Integrated offices present an effective solution to marketing challenges faced by chiropractors. With the help of AMI, chiropractic owners can tap into and take advantage of the physician’s market. Allowing for chiropractors to provide comprehensive care and educate the public about the benefits of chiropractic treatment.
