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Team Tip #15

TO ASK OR NOT TO ASK

Last week I indicated that the question, "How are you?" should not be 
in your vocabulary when addressing patients and gave several 
alternatives instead.  There are times, however, when asking the 
patient, "How are you doing?" is the correct thing to do!  Your doctor 
should be the one to let you know when to ask that question.  For 
instance, your doctor can write on a post-it note when the patient is 
checking out, "Ask Mr. Jones how he's doing."  That's your cue!  Mr. 
Jones will now announce in front of everyone that he's doing much 
better.  We all need to hear about success, especially other patients 
who are probably listening.  Another way is to have your doctor tell 
the patient, "Mr. Jones, please tell my staff the same thing you just 
told me.  They need to hear it too.  They will be so happy to hear 
about your success."

Often, patients will tell staff members how well they're doing and 
then won't mention it to the doctor.  Remember, doctors need to be 
encouraged also!  So, do your doctor a favor.  When a patient is 
excited and enthusiastic about their improvement, be sure to tell 
them to let the doctor know.  We all love to hear success stories 
from patients.  It validates what we do and it helps us stay positive 
and enthusiastic.

Finally, make sure you are focusing on positive comments, gestures, 
and stories.  We are so well trained to focus on negativity that often 
we miss the obvious positive events.  How lucky we are that we hear 
these stories on a daily basis, over and over again.  In fact, we tend 
to take them for granted!  We must never, ever take the wonders of 
chiropractic for granted.  Each and every day we must be 
enthusiastic and excited and share those stories with others who 
need to be encouraged and educated.  Remember...enthusiasm is 
contagious!


The preceding information has been excerpted from The Chiropractic 
Team Training and Practice Management Manual written by Susan Hoy 
and available at Back Talk Systems.  This manual contains over 200 
pages of team training tips and practice management procedures and 
forms.  Why not join the hundreds of chiropractors who have already 
made the commitment to organize and systemize their office.  For 
more information contact Back Talk Systems at 800-937-3113 or 
log onto their website at www.backtalksystems.com