Acupuncture Practice Management - Lecture by Clara

Introduction

• Audience: Students and practitioners of Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
• Focus: Making content accessible and engaging.
• Today’s Topic: Acupuncture practice management and effective communication with patients.

Communicating Diagnosis to Patients

What Not to Do

• Avoid using TCM jargon like "liver qi stagnation," "kidney yin deficiency," etc.
• Patients typically do not understand TCM-specific terms and may misinterpret them.

Effective Communication Strategies

• Root Cause Explanation:
  • Explain diagnoses in terms patients can understand.
  • Example: Stress creates tension in the body, leading to acidity and heartburn.
  • Translate TCM diagnoses into relatable terms.
• Patient's Perspective: Relate explanations to patient's experiences and lifestyle.

Examples

• Stress and Digestive Issues: Explain how stress leads to physical symptoms like acid reflux instead of saying "liver qi stagnation."
• Fatigue: Discuss diet and emotional causes instead of "spleen qi deficiency."

Building Patient Trust

• Patients appreciate understanding the root cause of their issues.
• Use eye contact to build confidence and trust.
• Introverted practitioners should work on feeling confident and making the patient feel understood and valued.

Case Study: First Patient Experience

• Clara’s early practice: First month was slow with very few patients.
• Hashimoto's disease case: Demonstrated the importance of symptom-based diagnosis even if the disorder is unknown.

Treatment Plans and Appointments

Discussing Treatment Plans

• Explain the importance of a treatment plan in simple terms.
• Set realistic session expectations (e.g., "Give me three sessions").
• Customize based on patient compliance and lifestyle.

Addressing Patient Questions

• Frequency of Sessions: Explain consistency is key, especially for chronic conditions like infertility or insomnia.
• Clarify that acupuncture helps the body self-regulate rather than cure or treat directly.

Handling Uncertainty and Trust

• Educate patients on the self-healing mechanism of acupuncture.
• If there’s no improvement in three sessions, re-evaluate the treatment plan.

Enhancing Patient Experience

Detailed Attention

• Address patient comfort: lighting, music, room temperature, and body support during treatments.
• Follow up with patients (e.g., call them within 48 hours after their first treatment).
• Use clear communication and provide extra care to build strong patient relationships.

Answering Common Questions

• Address concerns about pain and needles by starting with one needle and gauging patient reactions.
• Explain how acupuncture works in terms patients can easily grasp (e.g., "it helps the body self-heal")

Final Tips for Practice Management

• Educate Patients: Keep them informed to build trust and understand treatment efficacy.
• Be Welcoming and Approachable: Encourage them to ask questions and express concerns.
• Follow-Up: Personal follow-ups enhance patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans.
• Consistency is Key: Emphasize the importance of regular sessions and patient compliance.

Conclusion

• Recap: Importance of communication, treatment plans, patient education, and follow-ups.
• Goal: Building a trustworthy and effective acupuncture practice.
• Resources available at Clara's website: accuproacademy.com.

Key Takeaways

• Use patient-friendly language to explain diagnoses and treatment plans.
• Build trust through eye contact and confidence in your communication.
• Ensure patients understand the importance of follow-ups and compliance.
• Enhance the patient experience with detailed care and personalized follow-ups.