Joining forces with other healthcare providers allows patients to get treated from multiple different paradigms thus receiving the best possible care. Further, surveys have shown that joining forces with complementary specialists is a great way to expand your practice and boost your bottom line. Thus it is a win-win. A multidisciplinary clinic is defined as having a practicing DC and any other complementary medicine practitioner on staff (e.g., acupuncturist, PT, LMT). About 1/3 of all Chiropractors work in multidisciplinary clinics. Here at R3, we believe being able to treat patients with multiple perspectives allows us to restore them back to optimal functioning quicker. This also ends up boosting clinical outcomes.

 A large percentage of DCs reported having other specialists working in or consulting with their practice. Those specialists include LMTs, PTs, acupuncturists, fitness trainers and LDNs, in addition to MDs and DOs. The specialists who become part of your health care team allow you to offer a wider range of treatment options and programs. When evaluating how this benefits you, the numbers speak for themselves: According to a national chiropractic survey, Clinics employing specialists see more patients per week, bill more (average of $774,050 versus $612,725); and collect more (average of $552,890 versus $448,850). As a result, clinics employing specialists averaged a higher total compensation than those practices without specialists ($144,750 and $140,050, respectively). Practices employing specialists also attract a higher number of new patients per week (11) compared to nonspecialist clinics (9). The most common specialist along Chiropractors were Massage Therapists. Other popular specialists include:

• Acupuncturist

• MD/DO

• PT

• Fitness trainer

• Nutritionist

Common modalities performed in Chiropractic clinics include:

• Chiropractic, 99 percent

• Electrotherapy, 64 percent

• Instrument adjusting, 63 percent

• Exercise programs, 57 percent

• Nutrition, 56 percent

• Kinesiology tape, 52 percent

• Massage, 51 percent

• PT/rehab, 44 percent

• Laser therapy, 37 percent

• Decompression, 35 percent

• IASTM, 30 percent

• Acupuncture, 24 percent

• Weight-loss programs, 17 percent

• Homeopathy, 10 percent

• Medical services, 8 percent

So, statistics have proven that providing additional services, whether it’s an extra modality or another healthcare professional, is a good way to boost a clinic’s volume as well as provide better service to your patients. Let us know what services you provide and think are a must for a multidisciplinary clinic.