Comments on: Modeling the White Coat: Does it Belong in Chiropractic?

By: Brandon Harshe, DC

Brandon Harshe, DC — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:06:29 +0000

All chiropractic schools teach clinical diagnosis as it is required by the CCE. When you learn how to properly clear a subluxation at the level of Atlas, many “presenting” symptoms tend to go away as the body heals itself… back pain, Meniere’s, allergies, bowel distension, constipation, neck pain, headaches, insomnia, migraines, menopause… all these are effects of incoordination between brain and body communication and I have personally seen all these symptoms and more completely disappear in people once the upper cervical subluxation was reduced.

Chiropractors are not physicians as there is nothing medical about chiropractic, thus the silliness behind wearing a white coat. It was not founded upon diagnosing symptoms. It’s a shame that the schools carry out the CCE lie that we can be just like medical doctors, osteopaths, and physical therapists, but the fact of the matter is that we are not.

By: DrK

DrK — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:11:02 +0000

I have been in private practice for ten years and my motivation for entering the profession was not to ‘restore nervous system’ function. My motivation came from being a physician level trained specialty that addresses patient spinal complaints in a conservative non surgical manner. A white coat is a symbol of being part of the healthcare profession, however, I would find it silly if a DC was wearing one. I do agree with one individual where I have seen some of m y peers wearing shorts and flip flops to their clinics.
The school I attended taught clinical diagnosis and I apply those critical thinking skills in my practice everyday. There are times when I am unsure, as all healthcare professionals are, of a clear clinical diagnosis for presenting symptoms, and I do refer them to the appropriate medical professional for followup.

By: Brandon Harshe, DC

Brandon Harshe, DC — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:28:34 +0000

Dr. M, you are obviously not versed in what Chiropractic is and isn’t. Chiropractic is completely opposite of medicine and is not about diagnosing. Dumbing down the practice? I think a lot of medical minded chiropractors aka medipractors dumb their practice down from Chiropractic and try to practice medicine without a license. To say that not wearing a white coat is a sign of inferiority is silly. I don’t wear a white coat and certainly don’t feel inferior to any other practitioner out there. The duty to diagnose comes from getting paid by insurance only, that’s it. No other reason except for that. I don’t accept insurance, and I don’t provide documentation for my patients to bill insurance themselves. So diagnosing does not happen in my office. In fact, I could care less about symptoms, I focus on restoring proper nervous system function and my patients are doing pretty darn well from that.

By: dr M

dr M — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:09:30 +0000

well, personally, I think people who refuse to be in the medical model, while being in healthcare, are denying themselves of being part of the team that takes care of their patients. Isolating yourselves does nothing for you patients nor your business. No doctor can be all things to patients. It seems like rejecting a healthcare uniform that is worn by all healthcare professionals (eg, vets, dentists, optometrists, dietitians, assistants, nurses, naturopaths, osteopaths, acupuncturists…..etc.) that work as a team, identifies you as a rebel who refuses to work as a team player and with a greater inferiority complex as well as rivalry towards your counterparts. Some doctors may choose to dumb down their professional practice, it does not mean that’s the rout of the profession. Chiropractic is advancing and you must stay updated. A duly licensed chiropractor has the duty to diagnose. To not do this makes you negligent and incompetent. Do your job doctor, and wear your white coat. Your patients need you.
fyi, the term medipractor does not exist.

By: Art Javid

Art Javid — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 04:47:18 +0000

I am a marketing person, not a chiropractor – so keep that in mind when reading my comment. My fiancee is a chiropractor, and I have been hanging out at many chiropractic seminars, chiropractic offices, chiropractic workshops, chiropractic graduations, etc. I have a lot of respect for the profession, and I have been on the healing end of a miracle by the hands of my fiancee – but thats another story.

Unfortunately though every chiropractor I know dress for work as if they are either going to a cocktail party, golf game, or worst – a day at the park – shorts, flip flops, or jeans. As a “patient” I expect my healer / doctor to seem scientific or medical. I want him or her to seem authorative, knowledgeable, and sterile!

From a psychological perspective, people listen to professionals in uniform. A badge, a white coat… not an average guy with jeans and flip flops. I want the person putting their hands on me, to seem like they have earned that right. For crying out loud, the unlicensed acupuncturist, the wanna-be pharmacist at CVS, and the college drop-out dental hygienist all wear their white coats and collect the money and the attention they DON’T deserve.

So why are chiropractors burning their white coats or refusing to wear them? That’s your call and I respect your reasonings. But having assembled over 10 marketing focus groups of 25 people (250 unbiased people) for the purposes of branding my chiropractic clients in the past two years has taught me something… potential patients want their chiropractors to look more doctor-ish. That’s not me saying that… it’s 250 of your potential patients who need that psychological reassurance when they walk into a chiropractic office.

By: LUIS E MARTINEZ DC

LUIS E MARTINEZ DC — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:12:52 +0000

Good stand, I’m being in practice 15 yrs. and never use a coat to practice. At school Dr. Sid mentioned the WCS and low self esteem of some colleges. I remember a DE where a company that sell pictures adds took your picture with a white coat and a stethoscope around the neck, the ad looked too medical confusing to the lay person. Eventually that was in 1990 and today the company no longer exists. As Dr. Sid and other pioneers said, “be a Chiropractor not a medipractor.” Enough said!!!

By: Marco J. La Starza, D.C.

Marco J. La Starza, D.C. — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:52:25 +0000

I would never wear a white coat. Am I in gross anatomy lab? Am I going into surgery as a surgeon and I’m going to get blood all over me? Or better yet, am I a Chef in a bakery?

Chiropractors that wear a white coat should go to school to be medical docs, sorry but I feel very strong about this.

Thank You

By: Dr. Ben Kuhn

Dr. Ben Kuhn — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:07:02 +0000

Burning my clinic jacket (and lab jacket) at the end of school was a great time. I never liked the whole “white coat” routine and have never worn one in my office. Dress to look professional, but there is no reason in my mind to wear a white coat when the experience I am creating for patients in my office is about as far from any medical experience they could possibly have.

That, and how many specialists have you seen wearing white coats? I view myself and my practice the same way.

By: Travis Robertson

Travis Robertson — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:11:20 +0000

Ha ha ha! I love the comments I thought I was the only one that burned their coat after I was done. Glad to see that I am in good company. White coats aside, I still think that many Chiropractors attempt to justify their high fees in various ways when to me it appears that they are stuck in the medical mindset that as doctors there is a certain amount of prestige and status associated with it or that they are entitled to because of the title or work/education that goes into it. We know that some of the best chiropractors had less training and less prestige. My wife does a great deal of geneology research and doctors historically were not rich people. They were simply, as Patch Adams put it, “trusted and learned friend who visited and treated the sick.” Medical Doctors have lost that path and it seems that Chiropractors have been losing that path as well. We need to simplify the education, reduce overhead, and pass those savings on to the patients of the world and we as doctors can live simply as well. Or we can charge large fees, add more classes to the curriculum, and attain all of life’s extra because of our status and prestige in our communities while the masses can’t afford to see us regularly or at all. The choice is ours.

By: Rob Shaw, D.C.

Rob Shaw, D.C. — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:00:17 +0000

A white coat on a chiropractor is ridiculous…. SCRUBS are even worse! If your patients bleed after you adjust them (the original purpose of a white coat and scrubs is to keep the blood off you), then you need to lighten up on your technique.