In the meantime, I have something on my mind that comes from some of the most important people in all of chiropractic -- the faculty at the chiropractic colleges. These dedicated people are the backbone of chiropractic's future, for without them there are no chiropractors to go forth and forge our destinies. More than that, the faculty shape our future because they mold the student into a chiropractor who then leaves the college to make their mark in the field. So in one way or another, the faculty in the chiropractic colleges around the world are a key to the future of every field doctor.
So, What's the Point?
With this latest economic downturn and coincidental attempt to overhaul the nation's health care system, there appears to be a resurfacing of doubt about the future of chiropractic. Field doctors are nervous about their own future. Will they continue to be able to provide for their spouses and children? Or should they change careers? Should they send their children to chiropractic college? Will they be out of a job soon if the new health care plan is passed? Should they go back to school and get another degree -- one that assures them of a job -- like an MD degree?
Add to this mix the recent (planned?) symphony of chiropractic bashing appearing in the public media. Understandably, the field doctors who work diligently day-in and day-out doing a fine job in their practices and serve as fine representatives in their community, may get nervous and afraid. This is good. Fear is a great motivator and can be used in very positive ways to get ourselves to do things we should have been doing all along -- like investing in our future: not just our own personal future, but the future of chiropractic.
Changing careers or getting another degree are fine for personal growth and should be commended. But these things are not investments in the future of chiropractic. We must do both. It is our professional responsibility to do both. It is a time-honored custom shared by all professions -- dentistry, osteopathy, medicine, etc.
What Can I Do?
There are literally hundreds of simple ways to invest in our future. For instance, I have been saying for years that every single field doctor should donate a subscription of a chiropractic journal to their local library or to a non-chiropractic professional in their area. Think about it. Think about every time that person hears or reads chiropractic bashing and has nothing to balance the opinions being forced on them. Think about what their new reaction would be if they saw a chiropractic journal travel across their desk four to six times a year. Even the busiest of people find time to satisfy their curiosity -- you can bet they would scan that journal when it arrived, and you can further bet they would read at least one article all the way through in that year.
Now, tell me what is their reaction to the opinions expressed in the public media. Different! They will be less likely to agree with the negative bias and more likely to agree with the positive connotations of chiropractic. Trust me on this one. This is a well-known and extremely successful strategy used every day by anyone or any company who is trying to make a positive statement about themselves in our society.
But There Is More!
The example given above demonstrates how simple and inexpensive your contributions to chiropractic can be. But there is more you can do.
I opened up this column with a commentary on our educators and their vital importance to chiropractic's future. I can personally attest to the fact that every single chiropractic college I have visited world-wide is trying to stay abreast of the sweeping technological changes in how we educate our students to become doctors. They need help -- they REALLY need help.
As some of you may know, I am a diehard computer afficionado. (Knowledge Engineer is my name, technology is my game.) The other day I was reading in one of the computer journals that people and companies literally throw their old computers away. Someone from some unnamed school wrote to the editor saying that these computers should be given to someone or some organization rather than being thrown away. Viola. Idea time.
So, Here's What You'll Do
Computers to an educator are as important as adjusting tables are to the field doctor. In other words, they are a basic necessity.
- Do you have an "out-of-date" computer lying around? Call a nearby chiropractic college and speak with those in charge of donations. Chances are, you'll get more money for the computer as a gift write-off than if you sold it.
- You do not have an old computer? How about old software?
- (I saved the best for last.) Start a drive to collect computers from companies who are making upgrades in their equipment. Now is the time to get started! Trust me on this one. I guarantee you that companies, small and large, and individuals will be making sweeping upgrades in their computers in the months to come. This once-in-a-life-time change in hardware will only last a year or so and there is enough "old" equipment out there to equip every chiropractic college to the teeth. So let's not miss this opportunity!
Draft a pleasant form letter and send it to every company you can think of. Tell them you will come by to pick up their old equipment.
Better yet, contact a nearby chiropractic college and talk to the person in charge of donations. The best way to go about this is with planning and organization. The ideal way is to put the pleasant form letter on the letterhead of the college along with the proviso that donations are tax deductible. Then, follow up those letters with phone calls and personal visits. Offer incentives for their donation. Bribe them if necessary. (Just kidding! On second thought ...). Just make sure they will send those computers to the college instead of the waste bin or a dusty storage room.
Finally, if they will not donate the stuff, offer to buy the equipment. I guarantee you the price for these used 386s and equivalent Apple computers is way below ridiculous! I further guarantee you the computing power these old units possess far exceeds the power needed to be useful as highly effective, technology based, educational tools.
No matter what you do for the remainder of this year you must commit to help our educators make the best possible doctor out of every student.
With each article I encourage you to write the questions you may have, commentaries on patient care, or thoughts to share with your colleagues, to me at the following address. Please include your return address.
Darryl Curl, DDS, DC
2330 Golden West Lane
Norco, California 91760