Re-Exams, Progress reports and a trip to Disneyworld

Imagine this scenario: A father hears about this magical place where a family can be happy, healthy and feel right about the world. He races home and yells out to his wife and kids, “Honey, lets pack the car and go to Disneyworld!” So they make some simple preparations, jump in the car back out of the driveway and look at each other. “Which direction is Disneyworld?” A moment passes and the Dad blurts out, in semi confidence, “South, let’s travel south. I know its south of here!” So the family, trusting in the vision with limited knowledge heads south. Well it doesn’t take long before fatigue, boredom and doubt start to creep into the plan. The kids are whispering, “Are we there yet”? Mom is casting quizzical looks at the driver and the driver is starting to doubt the whole value of the magic Kingdom when all of a sudden a billboard comes into view that shows happiness, joy and a picture of Disneyworld. Reprieve for all! End of Part I of this tale.
I think you get the picture. Disneyworld is the metaphor of what wellness can be like. It’s so powerful and right that people will move mountains and their families to get to it. It’s not the vision alone that keeps people on the journey, it’s the roadmap. This is where re-examinations and progress reporting is essential. No one wants to fly blindly for too long. It’s human nature to search for wins along the way and to celebrate the successes while strategizing for the next leg of the journey. There also has to be a tangible end point or the , as you will see the kids incessant questioning will win every time or create enough conflict that the value of the trip comes into question.
Part II, Wellness and the road to Disneyworld
So, as the family motors along there is now a search for road signs to confirm the distance to the destination. Games are played as to how fast and how much fun it will be “when we get there”. Regardless of all the effort to keep the family focused, fatigue sets in. It’s a long road to Disneyworld. The travelers stop in to gas up and Dad starts a conversation with the attendant and asks directions to confirm his success at arriving at Disneyworld. The attendant, a 17 year old part timer, looks at the father and says, “ Disneyworld? In that car? No way, you’ll never make it. It’s not worth the effort. Just down the road a few miles is Six Flags. Its’ got rides and is almost the same as Disneyworld and is a lot closer. You should go there.” Doubt, fatigue and new options are about to derail the quest!
End of Part II
The patient has made a commitment to start the journey and has seen a few road signs confirming the correct direction yet there is a constant pull from time, finances or, as we see, uninformed outside parties. The only solution is to focus on the benefits and the uniqueness of what wellness and success really mean. Only chiropractic can get a person to wellness and Disneyworld. Six Flags represents an alternative that is inferior. (In fact, Six Flags recently declared bankruptcy. A comment to the enduring value of Disneyworld. ) It’s one thing to report on the physiologic success but the emphasis needs to shift to sharing the “life” message. Remember that chiropractic only exists because of its uniqueness. Nothing replicates or replaces an adjustment done with right intention.
Part III…”When there is a big enough Why, the How’s take care of themselves”… John Demartini
As you can see, the early times in a care plan are focused on the road signs, confirming right direction. This is where the progress and comparative exams are essential. All care plans must have continuance based upon, exam-to-exam protocols. The later communication is all value driven based on what it is like to stay in wellness , not just getting there. The more you revert back to the original problem or their perception of ill health the more they anchor their relationship to chiropractic as a pain and symptom model.
Lets see what happens to the family…
So, confronted with the dilemma of choice, Dad looks at the time and money involved and discusses the options with Mom. The kids are tired , the path ahead is unclear and the vision is diminishing. On the other hand, Six Flags doesn’t offer what Disneyworld has. In the end, the decision is made to stick with the plan BUT with provisions. The family wants some control and so they negotiate a compromise with the kids to get them there. What began as a joyous adventure has turned arduous and fraught with decision making. The happy ending finally occurs when now can immerse themselves in Disneyworld and create amazing memories.
Relevant points from this part of the story: When the enthusiasm eventually wanes, the big picture is all the patient has to focus on. This is where the Disney team, who are amazing at creating memories and customer loyalty, comes in. They clearly understand what it took to get to Mouse-world and they honour their guests’ presence at every step. Most chiropractic offices diminish this part of the relationship and focus more on the new patients. Stay tuned for the next blog on Customer loyalty and the law of diminishing returns.
In Closing:
Re-exams and progress reports are the road signs and mile markers of progress. Do them in an organized care plan and then focus on the customer loyalty aspect. Remember, in this business we are only as relevant as the patient is inspired.
Make it a GREAT Day,
Docfletch