Essential Communication Skills

As you embark on your chiropractic career, communication skills become increasingly useful. Communication plays an important role in how you build trust, attract new patients, explain the philosophy of chiropractic, and work with colleagues and other professionals in your practice. As a result, your communication skills will play a crucial role in your career. What are the essential communication skills for chiropractors? Read on to find out!

Successful Chiropractors Use Plain Language to Explain Chiropractic to Patients

Patients can sometimes feel nervous or unsure when they first visit a chiropractor due to being unfamiliar with how adjustments are completed. One of the best ways chiropractors can help relax patients is by addressing questions and taking the time to explain how chiropractic works in a way they can understand. As you complete your chiropractic training, you can gain patient communication experience at your college’s in-house clinic. Schools like Sherman College, with chiropractic accreditation, help students build valuable communication skills right in the classroom where they learn how to explain the philosophy of chiropractic. Customarily, it’s best for chiropractors to use plain, simple language when explaining the concepts of chiropractic. Try using analogies that are easy for patients to relate to, and use everyday language instead of unfamiliar chiropractic terminology.

Active Listening Helps Chiropractors Build a Rapport with Patients

Being able to talk with your patients and carefully explain complex concepts is important, but so is the ability to listen to their concerns and questions.

Try using active listening as your patients explain their medical histories or voice any concerns they might have. Active listening involves carefully paying attention to what the other person is saying, and then asking questions or rephrasing what they’ve said to make sure that you’ve fully understood them.

Not only will patients feel better having voiced their opinions, but active listening also helps build trust and a sense of connection between a health professional and his or her patient.

Communicating with Co-Workers and Employees in a Chiropractic Practice

Being able to talk with patients and explain complex concepts is crucial, but so is the ability to listen to their concerns and questions. Try using active listening as your patients explain their medical histories or voice any concerns they might have. Active listening involves paying attention, then asking questions or rephrasing what has been said to make sure you comprehend. Not only will patients feel better airing their opinions, but active listening builds trust and a sense of connection between a health professional and a patient. Once you graduate from chiropractic college, you could open your own practice or work at an established practice. Often, there will be a need to work with an assistant who books appointments, files paperwork, and answers the phone. You might also work with several other chiropractors or healthcare professionals. To keep a harmonious work environment, communication skills become more important. Try communicating with staff members. Thank each for a job well completed and let them know about important changes in policy, customer requests, or feedback so they can act in a timely manner. Open and regular communication helps create a welcoming and friendly work environment.

Written Communication Skills Can Help You Market Your Practice

Written communication skills are also a vital part of chiropractic care. You use these skills to fill out important forms and paperwork and to help promote your practice. Many chiropractors use marketing tools like social media, a blog, or a website to help market their chiropractic business. To help promote your practice, use a professional and accessible tone in your writing. You don’t want to scare away patients with unfamiliar terminology, nor appear as too casual that people question your expertise. What other communication skills do you think helped contribute to chiropractic business success?