COVID-19 has been with us for nearly a year, and while life hasn’t gone back to normal quite yet, it hopefully will soon. When that happens, people will resume habits and traditions they had prior to the pandemic.
That includes visiting the chiropractor, so make sure your chiropractic EHR is up to the task!
Based on a survey we conducted earlier this year, 15.1 percent of chiropractic offices saw a decrease of more than 50 percent of patients.Most saw a decrease of between 10-50 percent, while 11% said that their visits have gone up.
Despite the fact that visits have gone down, people who relied on chiropractors for pain management aren’t suddenly feeling better. They’ve most likely simply postponed their visits due to economic uncertainty or out of a desire to maintain social distancing.
At some point in the future, they will come back. Make sure that you’re prepared for an increase in visits when that time comes.
1. Educate yourself on the physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Our bodies are under a lot of stress whether we’ve been infected with COVID-19 or not. The anxiety alone surrounding a pandemic can result in clenched teeth, tense shoulders and other physical responses to stress. Add to that the terrible posture most people have when they’re working from home, and a chiropractor has never been more necessary!
For people who regularly visit a chiropractor, the benefits of chiropractic adjustments can not be overstated. Studies have shown that adjustments improve cortisol levels, reducing stress. It can also reduce headaches and general aches and pains caused by stiffness. Not only do you have the opportunity to become an expert on the physical, mental and physiological effects of the pandemic, but you can also use that knowledge to market your services.
Awareness of your patient’s physical response to stress caused by the pandemic offers you the opportunity to offer treatment plans based on that. Times are not normal right now, and neither are your patient’s physical ailments. Whether it’s pain related to working from home and bad posture or a physical response to chronic stress, be prepared to see unique symptoms and come up with a plan to address them appropriately.
2. Make sure the check-in process is smooth with chiropractic software
Once your patients start booking appointments by the dozens, you’ll want to shave off as much time as possible wherever you can. Collect as much of your patient’s information as possible during the first phone call. The smoother your check-in process is, the more time you save. That means you can see more patients in less time.
Platinum keeps your patients’ records organized and easily accessible. Our simple chiropractic software also has a feature that proactively sends patients an email requesting their information, which is then auto-populated into your Platinum software.
Any time you can create a frictionless experience for your patient, the better off you are. Great patient experiences increase patient retention, which boosts your revenue and reputation.
3. Upgrade your chiropractic EHR in 2021
If you're looking for a new chiropractic EHR, now is the time to make the switch to a comprehensive, simple chiropractic software solution. Make sure the transition from your old EHR is included during set-up, and see what other people are saying about the software before you make the switch.
A robust chiropractic EHR will ensure patients don't fall through the cracks and miss appointments, keeps all patient information easily accessible, and works as hard as you do. For example, some of the features included in Platinum's chiropractic software include:
- Patient self check-in
- Online patient intake forms
- HIPAA-compliant SOAP notes
- Digital X-rays
- Text and email appointment reminders
- Patient activity tracker
- Doctor auto billing
- Automated insurance posting
If your practice is seeing a lower number of patients due to COVID-19, it won't always be this way. Take time to prepare for the future. Spend some time now perfecting your processes, marketing heavily, and preparing your practice for an increase in patients.
If you're ready to switch to a comprehensive chiropractic software solution, book a short 30-minute demo with us today. We're offering free onboarding and data transfer, saving you thousands.
