Doctors of chiropractic are showing amazing resiliency as the nation emerges from the COVID-19 lockdown, while other health care professions have suffered an estimated 1.5 million job losses, including 520,000 in dentist offices, 217,000 in physician offices, 134,000 in hospitals and 212,000 others.1-2
According to a survey conducted by Dynamic Chiropractic in early April,3 approximately 80 percent of U.S. chiropractors remained in practice as stay-at-home orders went into effect. A second survey, conducted in late May, found that with restrictions relaxing, approximately 90 percent of DCs were practicing. Their willingness to adapt to the needs of their communities during this time has reportedly resulted in an expansion of their patient bases in many cases.
According to the second survey,4 as of late May 71 percent of DCs were seeing at least half of pre-pandemic patient volume, with 9 percent seeing almost 100 percent of previous volume, over a quarter (26 percent) seeing around 75 percent and over a third (36 percent) seeing about half.
Both surveys also suggest doctors of chiropractic who stayed open and communicated with their patients through phone calls, social media and texts had a greater chance of seeing higher patient visits when they were open.
While the loss of jobs in any health care profession is truly unfortunate, it does open the door for many people to experience chiropractic care for the first time. As states relax their protective orders, many patients may still be more comfortable resuming their chiropractic care – or trying it for the first time – than visiting their medical provider.
References
- "43,000 Healthcare Jobs Lost in March." Becker's Hospital Review, April 3, 2020.
- "1.4 Million Healthcare Jobs Lost in April." Becker's Hospital Review, May 8, 2020.
- Practicing During a Pandemic Survey. Dynamic Chiropractic, April 17, 2020.
- Restarting Your Practice after a Pandemic Survey. Dynamic Chiropractic, June 3, 2020.
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