Thriving Alone: Overcoming Isolation as a Solo Chiropractic Practitioner

Even if you are a solo practitioner – you should never have to feel alone in practice!

One of the most difficult parts about starting your own practice, is the impending fear of being alone. Not just lonely, but alone. Undoubtedly, during your first few weeks of practice, a patient will present with symptoms that immediately make you doubt all of your training. You will find yourself with no idea what is going on! Or, you will know exactly what is going on, and it is serious. Should you order imaging? What imaging should you order? Who should you refer this patient to? 

Why we Need Support in Practice

About five months into practice, I had a serious case present to my office. He was a 30 year old male, avid cyclist without health insurance. He presented to my office complaining of a pulled muscle in his glutes and requested the Graston Technique. I took a thorough history in which he did not know a mechanism of injury. In short, he also had no pain, just started noticing weakness with lifting his leg over his bike and a large lump in the glute area. Upon exam when I palpated the lump it was hard and shaped like a golf ball. I had never seen anything like this in my life. I was instantly worried, and alone. My plan was to order imaging – but what kind?

Luckily, a few days prior I had attended a networking dinner with local radiologists in the area. I was able to phone one of the radiologists and he recommended a CT scan. When I received the results of ‘osteosarcoma in the Gluteus Maximus’ I knew from my schooling that this was bad. A malignant bone tumor. How would I tell the patient? Should I tell the patient? He had no primary care doctor and I was it. I reached out to the office of the top extremity oncologist in Colorado and shockingly, after hearing my plight they put me right through to the doctor. She helped me navigate the conversation I would need to have with my patient – not telling him he had cancer – and referring him to her practice so that she could be the one to deliver the news and solutions. 

Where to Find Support in Practice

You never know where you will find community in practice, and sometimes you will need to find it where you least expect it. I am grateful for the relationships I still have with this radiologist and oncologist. While you may benefit from similar professional relationships, I can guarantee you will benefit from making connections with more closely affiliated professionals.

Here are a few practice tips to ensure that you never feel alone in practice:

1. Find Mentors. If you are still in school, prior to graduation, build your network of chiropractors with more experience in practice than you! Especially those who will return a text or call fast. Here are some places you may find these mentors:
   1. Symposia or conferences
   2. Professors at your school
   3. Peers graduating before you
2. Meet chiropractors in your area. Knowing chiropractors in your area will give you a lot of information quickly, but you may also be able to collaborate on time-off coverage, patient cross referrals and of course, mentorship in the same time-zone as you. Easy ways to connect locally:
   1. Facebook and other social media groups
   2. Meet in person – drop by with some goodies
   3. Google local – search local chiropractors and see who’s practice may complement yours
3. Connect with professionals in other fields – As you are starting out, having medical professionals that you can connect with is invaluable. Texting a radiologist or neurosurgeon to get an idea of next steps with a serious case will save everyone valuable time. In order of importance, find some common ground with the following:
   1. Radiologists
   2. Neurologists and neurosurgeons
   3. Orthopedists
   4. Pediatricians
   5. ER or Urgent Care doctors
   6. Hospitalists or Primary Care

When I started my own practice in 2006, I knew I wouldn’t be practicing alone. Well, technically I was practicing alone, but I never felt alone because I created connections early on! These connections will benefit your practice, but ultimately will benefit your patients and our profession.

Dr. Lisa Goodman is a former advertising media manager turned chiropractic entrepreneur and she believes we work in the best profession in the world! Dr. Goodman is a clinician, international speaker, author of The Manual for the Chiropractic Entrepreneur and founder of Washington Park Chiropractic in Denver, CO.

Much more about starting your practice and networking are available in my book, THE MANUAL for the Chiropractic Entrepreneur available now on AMAZON!