| Q: |
I am a sole practitioner. I appreciate all this great information but want to know the best and easiest place to start. |
| A: |
Congrats on finishing the course! Being a sole practitioner, you certainly do not want to get in over your head. If you are comfortable in the sports world and understand most of what you just learned, the easiest place to start is with your patient base. Do you have any patients that coach kids or who are kids that play in a recreational league? Through them, try to find out what sport and league they play in. Get the name of the commissioner of that league. Email him/her directly with what services you can provide for his/her organization. But be prepared in what it is you will do. I like to start with lectures to either parents, kids and/or coaches (or all of them). Select 20-minute maximum topic on heat related illness and preventing dehydration or prevention and recognition of concussion. Be sure to be comfortable with what you present. |
| Q: |
I have been asked to work with a local college, but it seems like a lot of responsibility in addition to the needs of my practice. I do not have an associate doctor to assist. Not sure whether I should accept this offer. Any suggestions? |
| A: |
GREAT question and easy answer. Get help. Find someone you know and trust that will geographically not be in “competition” with you. Get them to understand that you are the point person and work out all the dirt and details for coverage, payments and emergencies. It is not worth doing it yourself if there is even the slightest potential for throwing your world out of balance. |
| Q: |
I was offered a position with a local minor league team, and they offered me less then what I think I am worth. I am afraid to turn it down just because it is not enough money for the time. What should I do? |
| A: |
Do the math. Give them the benefit of the doubt. They are a business too. Communicate your expectations in a professional manner (this many hours times this many services = what I want). If they are businesspeople, they will negotiate, but know your bottom line. Remember, no deal is better than a bad deal. |
| Q: |
If I sign up for this class, will I still need to purchase consulting time? |
| A: |
Every situation is different. The information in this training can assist you in making your way through the process of getting involved and staying involved with sports teams at all levels. However, every once in a while, a situation may arise that require additional guidance or direct assistance. That is why I am making myself available to answer the more unique questions and help you through your unique process. |
| Q: |
You said you taught athletic trainers what to look for in hiring a Doctor of Chiropractic. What are the top three things you tell them to look for? |
| A: |
I recommend that they find someone:
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- who will listen (attentively) and be a team player.
- who would invite you to visit their office and observe their work.
- who appears to be willing to adapt to change, because things are always changing.
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