Each day brings with it new challenges and potential rewards. How you view these challenges often dictates your success in dealing with them.
The Internet brings special challenges to the publishing industry, and many publishers are beginning to react. Some see the world wide web primarily as a way to send e-mail, and ignore the broader potentials. Others dive into the web without much consideration for the pitfalls that await. DC tries to maintain a balance. We're excited about the opportunities, but keeping the realities in mind.
Will we see the end of the paper publication? Probably. Will it happen all at once? Doubtful. The publishing industry will change as technology and the marketplace dictate. As long as you prefer receiving Dynamic Chiropractic on paper, the presses will continue to roll. For now, only the previous issues of DC are on line (www.chiroweb.com). Our resolve is to evolve as needed.
Chiropractic practice is also going through a metamorphosis. Our chiropractic pioneers would be perplexed by the myriad challenges facing today's DCs. But just as they coped when doctors of chiropractic were being jailed, they would learn how to succeed in today's seemingly hostile environment. They would make their way to the top of the mountain.
The medical profession seems to be throwing in the towel on private practice. A recent article in American Medical News1 presented the figures on the employment status of MDs:
| Self-Employed Solo | 25.9% |
| Self-Employed Group | 30.7% |
Employee:
| HMO | 2.7% |
| Group Practice | 11.1% |
| Private Hospital | 7.3% |
| Medical Schools, Universities | 7.0% |
| State & Local Government | 9.6% |
| Unknown | 1.1% |
| Independent Contractor | 4.7% |
If you do the math, you realize that less than 57% of the medical doctors in the United States are still self-employed. Is this better or worse?
Obviously, the figures for the chiropractic profession are much higher. But we are changing away from self-employed, single-doctor practices. Is this a positive step?
If you've sat through a few economics classes, you've probably heard about economies of scale and other concepts that business people discuss when companies merge. When such economic policies are implemented, the question becomes, do these practices benefit society, or are they just better for business?
While there are many generalized economic concepts about chiropractic practice, the reality comes down to where you live and practice -- that's where the opportunities are. Your best choice may be a single-DC office; a multiple-DC office; a multi-disciplinary clinic; or perhaps on staff at the local hospital. There are many difference practice models, and many more waiting to be developed.
The choices you make and live with depend on your own personal circumstances. But before you make a particular choice, look around.
- Has your community changed?
- Is your current practice model still the best?
- What if ... you did it differently?
- What opportunities are waiting for you?
- Should you be talking to other DCs in your area?
- What about talking to the medical community?
The best ideas are obvious, once someone else has unveiled them. Stop a minute. Take a look around. Play a few minutes of "What if?"
Here at Dynamic Chiropractic, we try to keep playing the "What if" game. It helps us serve you better and more efficiently. It also helps keep us in touch with what you need.
As you drive home tonight, imagine what could be. It's there and waiting for you to find it.
Reference
1. More physicians are employees. American Medical News, March 9, 1998.
Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD (hc), FICC(h)
Editor/Publisher, Dynamic Chiropractic
Don-DCMedia.com
Click here for more information about Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher.