If you were to ask almost any chiropractor in America what would make the biggest improvement to his or her clinic, the answer would probably be: “More new patients,” or “Higher patient volume.” In most doctors’ minds, this would handle their income demands and make them happier.

Instead of changing your mind or considering another direction, tackle this problem head on. It’s time for a real-world look at increasing your patient volume.

Patient volume is defined as the number of patient visits in a given week per doctor. With that definition, you can say that 200 visits a week is a higher volume than 100 visits a week. You can also assume that 200 visits a week with one doctor delivering them is a higher volume than 200 visits being delivered by two doctors.

In order to determine how to achieve a higher patient volume, you must first break down the component parts of the task. This is so you can focus on the exact details that will produce the results you want.

Any complex issue can seem overwhelming. But by looking at its small, easy-to-manage component parts, it can be easier to make effective changes.

Some doctors say the economy is bad so there is nothing they can do to increase patient volume. However, since nothing in this world stays the same, doing nothing just ensures things will get worse.

Break down the problem of increasing your number of patients into the following components, as each one contributes to overall patient volume:

1. New patients in the door
2. New patients converted into acute care patients
3. Visits per patient
4. Inactive patients reactivated
5. Maintenance or wellness care patients

These five contributors to patient volume can also be grouped into two distinct categories. New patient volume belongs in the area of your practice devoted to reaching the public. This is typically the purview of the public relations CA, along with things like advertising, marketing, health fairs, spinal screenings, and public lectures.

Items two through five are internal clinic matters that can be improved with policy changes, staff training, an improved computer system, and attention to detail.

New patient volume: This can be improved with proper marketing and advertising. For many, this is a step often missed or done poorly. Marketing is positioning yourself in the public eye in such a way that they want your services. Advertising is the communication of that marketing message. You can advertise in different ways such as with newspapers, Internet websites, e-mail, radio, and TV.

Full story