Part 47

Just as too frequently the young Chiropractor overlooks the fundamental logic of Chiropractic which may be epitomized with the terse command, “Adjust the cause,” and considers his practice as requiring him to dabble in every suggested or discovered method of treating effects, so, too frequently, the young Chiropractor is prone to consider that his practice consists solely of the adjustment of vertebrae, that he practices a mechanic art rather than a profession; too frequently he overlooks the thousand details which lead to and surround the adjustment and are essential to its success.

The practice of Chiropractic involves more than correct technic. It includes the use of a vast fund of knowledge; the constant study of diseases and of patients; the art of controlling and directing others sometimes in their very trivial acts. Successful practice requires a proper setting, proper business methods, and a knowledge of psychology.

Anyone entering upon a profession assumes a great moral responsibility and the greatest responsibility of all falls upon the doctor, of whatever school. He enters the stricken home at a time when all members of the household are off guard, as it were, at a time when all turn to him as to one of higher knowledge and of greater power for their guidance and often for their strength in affliction; he becomes the repository of their most sacred confidences. He who is unable to meet this responsibility, to realize his influence and his power and to prepare himself with care and conscientious training to acquit himself well, has mistaken his calling. He is unfit for his ministry.

The thorough student wrestles not alone with the technic and the text-book branches necessary in practice but also studies his profession from every possible standpoint, broadening his field of usefulness wherever possible.

This section does not by any means contain all the information not found elsewhere in this book but necessary to the Chiropractor in his practice. It is intended merely to suggest some of the many sides and phases of our work and to open the way for a life study of humanity and of professional life as a Chiropractor.

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

Value of First Appearance

The patient, upon first entering an office, consciously or unconsciously forms an estimate of the personality and standing in his profession of the occupant of that office. This impression is gathered from the kind and arrangement of the furniture and visible equipment, from the neatness or disorder of the room, from countless little things which play each their part in making up the whole appearance. This first estimate is sometimes the only one, for an unfavorable first impression may lead to the loss of a prospective patient. In any case it will play a part in all subsequent judgments which the patient may form concerning the Chiropractor and his work.

Many patients entering our offices have no previous knowledge of our profession; their minds are open and curious, alert for new impressions of some sort. We may impress them as we choose. Every good business or professional man realizes the value of the first impression and strives for a good one. Therefore, upon entering practice, choose for yourself every article which shall have a place in your office. Your surroundings will then truly reflect your personality and will attract those upon whom that personality can work in harmony and understanding. It is of no avail to attract the type of patients you cannot hold, to draw through the borrowed judgment or taste of another surroundings alien to yourself and thus to attract people who will at once sense the incongruity and be repelled by it.

Yet one may aspire. And if you are able to perceive and appreciate truly professional surroundings you may hope to school yourself by association and study to harmonize with them.

Choice of Articles

In choosing the contents of your office keep in mind good taste, utility, and the psychological effect upon all visitors. Remember that you expect to spend many hours each day in the company of your furniture, and select such things as will contribute to a proper professional state of mind in yourself. A Chiropractor’s profession is in many ways like, yet in many ways unlike, any other. Therefore his office equipment, while following in general the equipment of other professional offices, must be selected with an eye to the special and particular needs of the Chiropractor and his patients. Too little attention has been paid thus far by the profession to the selection of office equipment.

Furniture in General

The furnishing of an office depends upon the amount and disposition of the room at your command. One must have at least a waiting room and a private office even if a single rented room must be cheaply partitioned to make the division. A larger suite is a better investment when possible. In the waiting-room should be found easy chairs, library table, hall-rack, mirror, and an easy divan or couch. The floor should be covered with a good rug or carpet and the walls properly and cleanly decorated and hung with restful, pleasant pictures. A book-case filled with carefully selected books is a good addition.

On entering your private office the patient should see your diploma, which hangs in full view of the entrance and which bespeaks with no weak voice your fitness to practice, your professional ability. The importance of this point cannot be overestimated. The intelligent visitor expects you to have had careful training and to possess thorough knowledge of your work. If he notes the diploma as evidence of it and of your pride in your college he is assured.

If only two rooms are at your command the second must be at once consulting room, adjusting room, dressing room. As such it should contain your desk, desk chair, chairs for the patient or patients, adjusting table or tables, towel cabinet, lavatory, and a curtained recess for a dressing-table, chair, and hooks for hanging clothing. On the wall hang those charts from which it is at times necessary to explain a part of the human mechanism to the inquirer.

This room should convey a two-fold impression--business and professional. It should contain the special paraphenalia of your profession and some of the suggestive contents of the ordinary business office, such as desk, card-index file, typewriter, etc.

Let us consider these points more in detail.

Waiting Room

In your waiting room new patients wait and form their estimate of you before your appearance. They are tired patients, worn perhaps with years of disease, and their comfort must be considered. Some time is theirs for use in some way and the use of their minds during the waiting interval must be studied.

For these reasons first of all the waiting room should be furnished quietly, in perfect taste, but well furnished. A good dark rug for the floor rather than matting or linoleum with their suggestion of bareness, a tinted or papered wall done in a soothing shade, upholstered furniture pleasing to the eye and comfortable for tired, weak bodies, and a library table with proper literature for the occupation of the mind--these are the proper furnishings for a waiting room.

Let the table contain chiefly Chiropractic literature and select that literature with care. Be sure that it reflects the view-point toward your profession with which you wish your patients to be impressed. It must be scientific, well written, not sensational, not dealing coarsely or vulgarly with the revolting diseases or features of disease, but quietly convincing. Your literature must impress with the greatness of Chiropractic without setting forth extravagant claims which your patients will expect you to vindicate. Your selection of books for the book-case must convince all observers of your proper literary taste or the book-case had better be omitted. Likewise the pictures on the walls must suggest pleasant things, restful things, good to contemplate.

When possible secure a high-ceilinged room with good ventilation, plenty of fresh air without drafts. And then let all the articles in the room harmonize. One jarring note in form or color may mar the entire effect, which should be that of comfortable simplicity.

Private Office

Even more important than the contents of the waiting room is the equipment of your private office. It is in this room that your work is done. There your patients confide to you their weaknesses; there they determine finally whether to trust themselves to your knowledge and skill; in that room they form their judgment as to your cleanliness, your use of system; there they meet you.

Arrangement of Furniture

Every bit of furniture for the private office having been carefully selected its arrangement should be studied.

When the patient first enters the private office he should be able to see your diploma. He should also sit where he can notice it as he consults you and every other object within his vision during the consultation should be picked so as to avoid attracting his attention to anything foreign to his visit and its purpose.