Pig in the Python; Chiropractic Geriatrics

There is a shortage of healthcare personnel at all levels and patients are waiting weeks or months for appointments.  Many DCs are already answering questions from Medicare patients beyond “subluxation” concerns.  Any increase in Medicare coverage for Chiropractic Physicians, even for examinations, is likely to open a floodgate of new patients.   Are YOU ready?

This course is to…

-Point out some of the potential weaknesses in our present education, scope and personal practice relative to elder patients.

-Recommend how we as Chiropractic Physicians might become more pro-active in anticipation of expanded Medicare coverage.

-Provide resources for increasing involvement with an aging population.

Recognizing every practice is unique, hopefully this course will encourage you to explore what expanded Medicare coverage, and the patient population it brings, might offer you. 

Perhaps you will consider continuing education, review of your forms and exams, training for staff, remodeling to increase accessibility or purchasing new equipment.

By starting to incorporate aspects of the recommended  history & exam of geriatric patients, as well as exercise, nutrition and prevention counseling, your transition to full coverage may be smoother. 

At the least, this may be a good opportunity for forming referral networks and updating past interprofessional relationships.

In our “flight” of topics

We will explore some of the assessments & screening tools that will be expected.

We will discuss how to communicate with patients and the barriers they face to seeking healthcare.

We will detail examination, documentation and treatment for falls prevention, a subject  chiropractic physicians should own.

Finally, we will note the comorbidities, lab tests commonly used for their diagnosis and some diseases that masquerade as primary musculoskeletal disorders including pharmaceutical toxicity.

Karen Konarski-Hart is a Chiropractic Physician in private practice in Little Rock AR for over 40 years.  She is an EMT and holds a Masters degree in Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Management.  

She has served on the AR state board of health (the only DC to serve as president), has served on CCE and as delegate and eventually VP of the ACA.   

She now serves on the ACA’s Committee on Equity Diversity and Inclusion as advocate for the aging and disabled populations and sits on the Advisory Council for University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

This course counts towards your NCMIC Credits.