ON Chiropractic encouraging words can make a patient on the verge of giving up feel valued and able to try again .
Patients who have a working alliance with an empathetic coach have higher rates of satisfaction and self-efficacy .
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APPLY EVIDENCE-BASED CARE
Chiropractors are developing new techniques and treatments all the time , and research evidence is constantly being updated . What ’ s more , as you grow and mature in your practice , you will learn new ways to interact with patients , deepening your clinical expertise . Take advantage of tools like RRS Education ’ s research reviews ( available free to all CCA members ) and the information available through the Canadian Clinical Guideline Initiative . Talk to your colleagues about how they are applying new techniques and approaches with their patients , and keep trying new things in your own practice .
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ADDRESS THE PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHRONIC PAIN
As the biopsychosocial model of pain becomes more and more understood , chiropractors have a range of tools to consider combining with manual therapies in order to address the psychosocial factors associated with chronic pain .
Motivational Interviewing and its partner technique , Brief Action Planning , can both be used with patients who have become discouraged to enable them to rediscover their ability to make positive lifestyle changes . Members can find a guide to using Brief Action Planning in the Spring 2016 issue of ON Chiropractic or online via the Chiropractic Clinical Guideline Initiative .
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy is another tool which can be used to address comorbid depression and anxiety , two conditions which have been found to increase chronic pain and disability . The Spring 2014 and Fall 2014 issues of ON Chiropractic address how this tool can be used within chiropractic treatment plans to help patients recover . OCA members are also encouraged to keep an eye out for our next Concepts & Practices in CBT : An Introduction for Chiropractors workshop in spring 2018 .
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GET PROACTIVE WITH PREVENTATIVE CARE FOR SENIORS
As the Canadian population ages , ensure that you can offer excellent care experiences for seniors . It may be surprising for some to note that aging patients can be your most compliant patients , so lifestyle changes and exercise homework can be an easier assignment than usual — and that ’ s excellent , because being proactive with preventative care can have a profound impact for our older patients . Simple preventative strategies including falls prevention , increased physical activity and nutritional counselling can help these patients avoid surgery , broken bones , and in-patient care while enabling them to spend their retirement years doing the things they love to do .
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REACH BEYOND THE CLINIC THROUGH VOLUNTEERING
High quality patient experiences can come from your work beyond the clinic . Many chiropractors in Ontario volunteer at free clinics , offer educational sessions at health fairs , run physical activity programs , and volunteer at interprofessional trade shows or engage in government relations with organizations like the OCA . This kind of work can serve to reinvigorate your commitment to the profession , strengthen the reach and diversity of your professional network , and allow you to work with patients who may not have ever met you through your clinic . You may even wish to run a charity event through your clinic , such as a fall food drive . Many members find that this kind of community service brings their staff and patients together with a sense of joy and purpose .
15 REDISCOVER
THE JOY OF CHIROPRACTIC !
It may be true that all work contains some drudgery , but chiropractors came to this profession because it is meaningful for them . Shifting your perspective from the day to day grind to your patients ’ ability to live fuller , healthier lives can bring new joy to your everyday work . There are a few tools you can use each day to enable yourself to have a positive , focused outlook :
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Explore mindfulness . While our daily routines can sometimes lead us to function on autopilot , this can lead us to miss the world around us .
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