How To Use Chirotouch for Post COVID Care

Highlights:

  • 92% of chiropractic practices have seen a decline in patients during the pandemic due to fear of being infected. 
  • 92% of practices report patients having more chronic pain related to working from home and stay-at-home orders.
  • Practices can be proactive about getting patients to return to appointments. 
  • Alternative methods of care, like telehealth, can be a possibility for some.
  • CTInTouch can help keep contact with patients so they know it is safe to come back and facilitate telehealth visits where appropriate.

As with most chiropractors during covid that required close contact with clients, chiropractic practices have struggled to keep people coming in during the COVID-19 pandemic. 92% of practices said they had fewer patients coming to the office because they were fearful. That fear has been slow to dissipate for some, even as the pandemic seems to be receding.

We are now living in a Post COVID world and the U.S. is reaching a level of comfort. People are planning more vacations, feeling more comfortable eating out, and even attending large sporting events and concerts again.

And they’re beginning to reschedule healthcare visits. Yet, many are still fearful as new COVID variants arise.

Greater Need for Care

So how are those who have been away from their chiropractors these many months feeling? Many people who have worked from home during this time have experienced more pain because of inactivity and long periods of sitting. One study found that up 70% of people with chronic pain surveyed said their pain worsened during the pandemic.

Others have embraced exercise as a way to fill empty hours. Many people may need chiropractic care for overuse of muscles and joints as well as injuries from vigorous exercise.

These increased care needs offer an opportunity to get existing patients back to regular appointments and bring new patients to your practice.

Best Ways to Keep in Touch With Patients

During the pandemic, we surveyed chiropractors to learn how they were adjusting their efforts to communicate with their patients. We found that 52% were increasing e-mails to their patients, and 42% were using texting.

Here are a few tips on some good ways to do that for Post COVID care:

  • It’s best to encourage patients to come back to your practice for Post COVID care when they feel comfortable. In the meantime, you can stay in touch to let them know what measures you’re taking to protect their health.
  • Use email or text campaigns to let them know about any updates to your hours of operation and options for care like telehealth, if you offer them. This will let your patients know that you are open for appointments and ready to accommodate their needs.
  • Highlighting specific services that could be useful to them is another way to let them know you’re there to help. Also consider offering a discount or waiving co-pays to patients who book appointments within a specific time frame.
  • Remind them that self-care is important. Many people have neglected their self-care routines during the pandemic due to fear of leaving the safety of their homes and possible financial stressors. Point out that they can enhance their health by a return to chiropractic care.
  • An email campaign with basic tips for staying limber between visits is another way to remind your patients that you care.

Using CTSmartFit to Send Exercise Routines to Patients

This is not a full lesson on how to use chirotouch, however an excellent way to take an interest in patients’ self-care is to use CTSmartFit to send exercise routines to patients that they can do in their homes. Like other automated ChiroTouch tools, you can set up CTSmartFit to send automatic individualized messages to patients — in this case, exercise videos and instructions that will help them stay healthier until they are ready to come back to the office.

CTSmartFit can also be used for patients who are having in-person visits as well, because everyone can benefit from exercising at home between visits.

Chiropractic practice table

Safety Measures Reassure Patients

You may also want to educate and reassure your patients about safety measures. Many businesses have upgraded their ventilation to kill airborne viruses, so if you have done this in your building, be sure to highlight it so your patients know their chances of infection are extremely low.

Make sure that patients see evidence of these changes when they do return to your office. Maintain social distancing and make the requirement visible. Post signage reminding them that you are maintaining a safe space so they will feel comfortable booking their next visit.

Using CTInTouch to Keep in Touch With Patients

Knowing how to use ChiroTouch can help you get these messages to your patients with CTInTouch.

CTInTouch is a patient communication tool that automates messaging to all or a subgroup of your patients. Using CTInTouch is the perfect way to get patients to come back to chiropractic care.

You can send messages as often as you want by either email or text. (But don’t overdo it, or your patients will tune them out.) Your messages don’t have to explicitly ask patients to make an appointment. CTInTouch also works well for practice updates, automated birthday messages, and promotion announcements.

These messages will keep your practice in your patient’s minds, which may also prompt them to make return appointments.

You can also use CTInTouch to ask active patients to refer family and friends who may have a need for your services. You can offer a reward such as a discount on services, a chance to win a gift card, or a free adjustment as a way to encourage participation.

Positive word of mouth is one of the best ways to get new patients and can be much more successful than spending money on advertising.

You can learn more about how CTInTouch works here.

Looking at a chiropractic EHR on a Tablet

Using CTInTouch and CTAppointments to Help Telehealth Visits Go Smoothly

Even before the pandemic, telehealth had been transforming healthcare, and chiropractic is no exception. While ChiroTouch is not designed specifically for telehealth visits, using CTAppointments in combination with CTInTouch can support a telehealth service and let patients know it’s available.

Patients can use CTAppointments to book visits online. With CTInTouch, you can then send automatic text or email instructions to those who book telehealth appointments so they know how to prepare for the visit and join the session. Be sure to provide contact information in case something goes wrong and the patient is unable to connect for their telehealth visit.

To see more about how you can use CTAppointments and CTInTouch together to make scheduling telehealth visits easier, check out this video.

To learn about other ways ChiroTouch can help make telehealth visits easier for you and your patients, watch the two videos we’ve created on the topic, “Learn About the Successful Use of Drip Education and Telehealth in a Family Wellness Practice,” part one and part two.

Upgrade to ChiroTouch Cloud-Based Chiropractic EHR

ChiroTouch, the standard in chiropractic software, is now available as a cloud version, giving you access to more features and functionality than ever. Cloud capabilities deliver a fully integrated software solution that you can manage from any device and any location.

We’ve built cloud capability into every ChiroTouch feature. Your practice’s backbone — all your business and patient data, macros, records, and workflow — is safe, up to date, and always available. All you need is a device, a browser, and an internet connection.

Our end-to-end practice management software eliminates the need for multiple vendors, systems, and software. Access all of your patient data from anywhere, whether you have multiple practice locations or need quick answers when you’re out of the office.

ChiroTouch Cloud empowers your practice with continuous innovation you can count on.

Take a Peek!

If you’re curious about all the new features available in the new cloud-based ChiroTouch, one of our specialists can take you on a tour.

SCHEDULE A DEMO 

Have a well-adjusted day!

Your practice made perfect

 

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