Adapting is key. Staying ahead of the curve on the three biggest risk management challenges will ensure your practice stays on the right path.
Posted in Articles on Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Good things come to those who wait, but in the ever-changing world of chiropractic, not being proactive could prove to be detrimental. Navigating the future of chiropractic will require a willingness to embrace change and manage risk.
What are the three biggest risk management challenges currently facing chiropractors?
Inevitable Change
The constant state of change of the chiropractic profession poses challenges, but it can also open doors for growth and opportunity. The ability to adapt business models to changes in the field is crucial, as is staying current on compliance.
Utilizing associations can be a great resource in this area. Associations provide valuable information and tools to remain aligned with regulatory changes, which can help ensure you are not caught off guard by auditors or changes in the legal landscape.
Don’t just embrace upcoming changes. Get out in front of them.
Social Inflation
An emerging trend affecting malpractice insurance is social inflation—insurance claims that often exceed general economic inflation due to other factors like increased litigation, unusually large jury awards, and changing social and legal trends.
Recent rulings have shown the potential for jury biases that might benefit patients even when a practitioner isn’t at fault.
To combat this, strong risk management strategies are essential. Having detailed, proper documentation and a firm adherence to standards of care can help reduce the risk of facing nuclear verdicts (those exceeding $10 million) while promoting patient trust.
Technological Stresses
The continual advancement of technology can have a dual role—while technology can make your professional life more efficient and easier, it does require due diligence, research, and training. While AI offers groundbreaking advantages in record-keeping and diagnostics, there is caution in relinquishing clinical judgement to technology.
The human connection in chiropractic care is irreplaceable, and technology should complement rather than supplant this bond.
As social inflation, technological advances, and regulatory changes shape the future, chiropractors face the unique opportunity to not just navigate these challenges but lead with innovation. By staying informed and adaptable, you can continue to provide exceptional patient care and continue to flourish in the field.
To discover more valuable risk management insights from NCMIC’s Mike Whitmer, check our our podcast episode "Crisis or Opportunity? Top 3 Risk Management Challenges for DCs."