Most students have perceived fears about the eventuality of practice. Like most fears, these are often irrational, based on myth, or are the result of illusions that prevent many new graduates from being as resourceful or effective as they might otherwise be.

Some fears are legitimate, however, and if you’re a new or student doctor, here’s what you should be worrying about:

Paying back your loans

It’s difficult to serve two masters and debt is a harsh taskmaster indeed. Today’s six-figure student loans can distort reality or, worse, cloud the debtor’s vision and result in decisions that will sabotage one’s ultimate success and influence.

Ironically, many with huge debts forget that the ability to pay back their loans is a symptom. And like most treating of symptoms, focusing on symptoms instead of the cause rarely solves the problem.

Those whose vision extends no further than paying back their loans and making a decent living will find their lives are nothing more than a long, strenuous, juggling act of bill-paying. There is little joy, as they find that they have traded their signatures at the bottom of the loan application for a job. Escaping this arrangement starts from a change in attitude.

Instead of worrying about paying your loan back, worry about how you can serve more patients, giving them what they want, so you’ll have more than enough financial resources to fulfill your financial obligations. Then you’ll be rewarded with a lifestyle befitting someone with your talent and willingness to take risks.

To associate or not to associate

Most chiropractic colleges don’t do a good job of acquainting their students with the realities of actual practice, which is why internships, externships, and associate relationships are so important. These can be especially helpful for the vast majority of student doctors who enter practice lacking the hands-on skills of running a small business. Working in a busy office beside an experienced chiropractor and seeing the rhythm, the paperwork systems, and the other day-to-day realities of a profitable exchange between doctor and patient can be invaluable.

There are several major reasons for an established doctor to hire an associate. A common scenario is to make money off the new doctor in exchange for teaching him or her the ropes. These relationships are often heavy-handed and rarely last.

Another reason is to hire an associate to allow the main doctor to take time off for vacations, extended weekends, or to spend more time with a growing family. As long as the associate doctor is fairly compensated and motivated to carry the patient load, this can be a long-lasting win-win relationship.

Picking the right location

This worries a lot of student doctors who spend hours analyzing data about the concentration of chiropractors per population. This mentality assumes that there are only a finite number of chiropractic patients in the world, and to get your fair share, you need to locate as far away as possible from other chiropractors.

Check out the density of chiropractors per population within a 10-mile radius of virtually any chiropractic college. In fact, a high concentration of chiropractors tells the general public that there is a huge demand for chiropractic.

Determine the best place on the planet for you to raise a family and a place you’d be willing to dig deep roots into the community. Focus on finding a location with a likable climate that is either close to or far from your parents, depending upon your relationship. In short, recognize that there is a boundless supply of patients, so pick a location that will make serving them convenient and enjoyable.