Implementing the Recovery Insert
Implementing the Recovery Insert
This is the take home version of our Road to Recovery wall chart. Use one or more of the implementation strategies below. Or a combination.
Idea #1
Indicate the three recovery tracks that emerge from the "Suffering."
"At first when you begin your care there are three possible responses." (Referring to the upper track.) "Some patients, after a series of visits, show swift improvement, quickly reaching the yellow zone where they're feeling better." (Referring to the bottom track.) "Other patients, because they've experienced a lot of trauma or inflammation actually seem to get a little worse before getting better up in the yellow zone." (Referring to the middle track.) "And most of our patients show steady improvement as one visit builds on the next and they too reach the yellow zone where they're feeling better."
However, the most important part of your journey is right here. (Circle the fork in the road at decision time.)
Explain how some patients frequently experience a return of their symptoms after getting relief because they stopped their care before the retraining of muscles and soft tissues (pointing to the upper green track), which happen with continued care after symptoms subside. Lasting spinal changes are more likely to occur with continued supportive care. Otherwise you're predisposed to a relapse (pointing to the word "Relapse" on the lower track).
Idea #2
Circle the three initial recovery tracks below the fork in the road and label it "Patch Care." Circle the upper green track above the fork in the road and label it "Fix Care."
"When you reach the fork in the road when you're feeling better you'll have an important decision to make. You'll be feeling better, but the supporting muscles and ligaments haven't fully healed and strengthened. So results are rarely long lasting. That's why we refer to this as patch care.
"Without the strengthening and healing that happens up here, you'll be predisposed to a relapse. It's hard to predict when, but it's usually when you're experiencing some type of stress.
"When this happens, I hope you won't blame me or chiropractic. Just come on back in and we'll get you going again."
Idea #3
Circle the upper paragraph in the Decision Time text, drawing an arrow to the fork in the road at decision time and reading the line aloud.
"If you end your care before fully healing muscles and soft tissues, you can invite a relapse. Regardless of your choice, and you don't need to decide now, just remember our job is to offer the finest chiropractic care possible, and your job is to decide how much of it you want.
"Oh, and when you've had enough, let me know. That way we can celebrate your success, archive your case file in case you need us again and send you on your way."
Idea #4
If the patient is relying heavily on insurance to pay for their care, circle the red areas to the left and right of Decision Time to indicate the areas their insurance company may reimburse for.
"The green track will be largely your responsibility. Fortunately, the visits are usually only once or twice a month, based on your particular problem and stress level, so it's quite affordable for just about anyone."
Idea #5
Draw a line showing the downward slope of each Decision Time following each relapse.
"One of the things our patients notice is that as they get older it takes more visits each time to get their symptoms to clear up."