The objective of the Mobile Chiropractic concept is to provide the highest-quality complete chiropractic experience with benefits at least equal to those of a traditional fixed-site practice at the location of the patient—wherever that may be. The more a patient feels like they are having an experience no different than the quality of a traditional chiropractic office, the more successful the practice will be. If using a mobile unit, the service should be provided from a vehicle large enough to be fully equipped with traditional diagnosticand treatment-related equipment. Both the mobile unit and the house call doctor then travel to the patient, alleviating driving and waiting time.
Mobile Chiropractic offers flexibility in scheduling appointments not available through the fixed office environment. Patients can be treated at times that are convenient to their schedules and the Doctor’s schedule. In the case of a mobile unit, patients also have the choice of traveling for treatment at any place the mobile unit may be located. These conveniences provide an attractive alternative for today’s mobile society.
Services should include consultations, physical examinations, chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic treatment and services. Supportive health care products, exercise plans, nutritional advice, lifestyle counseling, and health care products and supplies should all be available in a mobile practice. Injury treatment and disease prevention should be incorporated into the service.
The Advantages of a Mobile Chiropractic Practice
A chiropractor that chooses to practice in a mobile setting will realize four major advantages over other chiropractors located in a traditional stationary practice.
1. Increases Patient and Market Accessibility
The typical chiropractic practice will attract most of its patients from the population that lives or works within a three-to-five-mile radius around the office.
Of course, this number will vary depending on the community: urban vs. rural. Within that radius will be a demographic profile. Population, number of residences, number of businesses, ages, and incomes are some of the most common statistics of the available demography. One of the most significant figures any chiropractor should consider in the light of managed care is what type of reimbursement they are most likely to receive from the patients they will attract in their communities. Starting a practice in an environment with an adverse population for the reimbursing of services will limit the success of most doctors who make that choice. In some cases, the community may start with a favorable population, but it may deteriorate over time for many reasons. However, removing geographic restrictions will eliminate many adverse patient populations.
The most common complaints people have about going to doctors are, “too much traffic,” “too far to drive,” and the ever-favorite “I can’t stand having to sit in a waiting room.”
Many people would like to take advantage of a chiropractic service, but they do not because of inconvenience. The removal of these excuses for not receiving care is an appealing advantage to mobile practice and results in many new people utilizing chiropractic who never have. Also, a patient who uses care for only symptomatic relief is, by far, more motivated to use convenient chiropractic care for correction and maintenance.
2. Increases Patient Selectivity
Having the ability to quickly fill a practice with a preferred category of patients allows a doctor to enjoy success and appreciate greater job satisfaction.
Many doctors struggle to achieve this goal, but geographic limitations commonly limit their capacity regardless of their efforts and expertise. However, mobile chiropractic service offers the opportunity to providers to be selective and serve the specific patient market they wish. Sniper marketing is easy, cost effective, and as simple as deciding what population or category of reimbursement you wish to work with and going there. The options are numerous: occupational, sports, pediatrics, personal injury, workers compensation, major medical or cash to name a few.
In a mobile chiropractic practice, you can choose your preferred demographic patient population by removing geographic restrictions classically encountered in a traditional fixed-site practice.
A larger and denser population enhances greater opportunity for attracting patients with less effort put into marketing by simply driving the mobile unit to the locations where they congregate.
3. Decreases Operational Expense
To operate a typical chiropractic office there are many variables related to expenses. Usually the greatest cost is rent, which creates no equity.
A doctor who owns the space their practice occupies has a distinct advantage. To manage the daily functions of the practice a staff is required. With larger space, more personnel are often needed to manage the facility, which results in increased costs for payroll. Maintenance expenses are also significantly increased with a larger office. Aside from these primary expenses there are also other costs built into fixed-site facilities.
As a result of modern technologies reducing size and increasing the efficiency of professional tools, a mobile practice is possible.
In a mobile practice, less space is required to perform service and procedures are simplified. There is no need to have numerous fully equipped and decorated rooms. Therefore, there is less maintenance. Reduced space increases efficiency. Because only one or two patients are generally seen at a time, fewer staff are required to perform daily functions. For these reasons a mobile practice is extremely practical and cost efficient to operate. Also, a mobile unit provider will normally own their mobile chiropractic vehicle. The unit is a tangible asset like that of a doctor who owns their own space. Although the asset will depreciate in equity over time, an appropriately maintained mobile unit should last at least 20 years of regular use.
4. Increases Practice Profits
A combination of increasing market accessibility through mobile chiropractic units where a doctor goes to the patient, selecting a specific market segment with satisfactory reimbursement capability, and decreasing the operational overhead of practice all result in significantly greater profit margins.
Increased Market Accessibility + Increased Market Selectivity -Decreased Overhead Expenses = Greater Profit Margins $$$
4 Keys to Mobile Practice Success
To attain success with a mobile chiropractic, practice a mission to achieve an unparalleled level of service must come first. Regarding that duty, there are four categories of interest that always deserve the highest level of attention for a mobile practice to grow and maintain strength:
a. Patient Care
• Thorough consultation and examinations addressing the patient’s needs, not the needs of the doctor.
• Comfortable expedient result-oriented treatment. •Courteous, respectful, and honest communication
avoiding sales-oriented pressure.
• Efficient use of patient time avoiding waiting, trivial procedures, and irrelevant communication.
• Empathy for how the patient feels both physically and emotionally.
b. Quality
• The highest-quality service from a provider that is expertly trained and credentialed in the techniques they utilize and the method in which they operate their practice.
• Reasonable and customary fees for service with appropriate discounting for the underinsured and uninsured.
c. Cleanliness
•An obviously clean and professional environment without unpleasant odors, clutter, and controversial decor.
• Appropriate grooming and comfortable professional attire for the doctor and any staff.
d. Productivity
• Efficiency in operational responsibilities is essential.
• Being conscientious of time management.
•Routing conveniently and effectively to maximize
patient encounters.
•Timely, precision-information gathering, and submitting of accounts receivables.
• Appropriate efficient professional documentation.
• Taking advantage of inherent resources.
Convenience Plus Creates a Satisfaction Reaction
A 1982 Graduate of Life Chiropractic, Diplomate in Sports Injuries from New York Chiropractic, President of Mobile Chiropractic Inc. Past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association, and A.C.A. Sports Council, 2006 Winter Olympics Team USA Medical Staff Chiropractor. While serving the film industry Dr. Jeff developed the first state-of-the-art chiropractic office on wheels; he provides care for patients at corporate and industrial sites throughout Miami-Dade County. You may contact Dr. Solomon at [email protected] or 786-412-8555.
