Why Should You Start a Chiropractic Practice?
Recently, a brand new doctor of chiropractic said to me that coming out of school he didn’t feel qualified to start his own practice and that he should associate for a while before trying it on his own. What do you think? Could that be fair to say of the majority of new graduates?
Unfortunately this is not the first time I’ve heard this kind of statement. Being around this profession long enough, I would have to agree with his fear and reservation coming out of college. My question is, if this is a common scenario could there be a solution to overcome it?
We all know new chiropractors that come out of school and open their own chiropractic offices and have great success. Are they special, gifted or privileged? Or have they just by chance found the keys while in school and simply applied them after graduation with a predictable result?
How many of you have seriously looked into associate positions? If you have then you’ll agree that finding a associate ship with a fair salary with a doc willing mentor you to prepare you to leave their practice and open up your own practice really don’t exist. Now there may be one or two exceptions where the lead doctor loves to mentor and develop the next generation of the profession. God Bless them and there needs to be more of them. But think about it, as a business owner are you going to pay someone with no experience and train and mentor them for a year or two, and just when they may start to bring a profit in for you they leave and open their own business. No wonder there aren’t good associate positions out there. They don’t make any sense for a businessman.
Where does that leave you, the insecure new doctor? Honestly it leaves the responsible directly where it always should be, on you! Ooh did you expect that? Don’t for a second kid yourself and think someone else is going to pull you up. Has anyone taken an exam for you?
The sooner you realize if it’s going to be it’s up to me. Then you’ll be the one searching out the answers in first or second quarter and gathering the education you’re not going to get while at chiropractic school. You’ll come out of Chiropractic College with confidence and a plan.
Question: Why would you spend 1-2 years working for peanuts, not being truly mentored or appreciated, only to start a practice and do everything you would have had to do 1-2 years ago?
p.s. I’m willing to share the keys to success, but you need to take the step and ask…I’m here for you.
Hey Dr. Taylor, That’s exciting you want to step out on your own, but like any business start up, it is going to take some form of working capital to get going. There are low cost ways to get open, sub-letting space in another office is one way to get your feet wet, and grow a practice, then transition into your own space when you can. One thing to remember is that starting any new practice is going to take planning, a proven system and a good market to do it in. Especially if you have a limited budget, you can’t afford not to succeed right out of the gate.
Dr. Brubaker
Thank you for your website. I have just stumbled upon it and find it useful. Currently I am a sixth quarter student. What are your thoughts on shared space opportunities instead of becoming an associate? For me this seems like it would be the ideal situation. Thank you for all of the great info you have put online!
Hey Jared,
). My best advise is don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Find a success and copy it! Heck that’s what we did. Saying that, you must be careful who you copy. Make sure they are moral, legal and ethical. And, this is a big one, they must have a track record of success across the board, not just with certain people or situations.
Congrats. on Part I boards! It’s awesome that you are thinking about this now and not 3 months before graduation like most students (Like me
Thank you for the advice. I have been trying to job shadow as many docs as I can, and then taking the things that I like and keeping them in store for the future. My biggest fear though is that I don’t have a business background, and so when I get into practice I’m not certain how to integrate everything that I have learned. Would you recommend doing an associateship, or sharing space for a time for that reason? Or should I jump in feet first and trust my instincts?
Thanks again for your time and response!
Jared
Ok so I should have re-read this article to get your take on associateships and I agree. But, what are your thoughts on shared space situations?