By Terry A. Rondberg, DC
There’s an aura about wellness providers, some indescribable sense that they’re morally and ethically superior to medical doctors. Frankly, I agree! But I think sometimes we take that image of altruism too far when we shy away from having (or admitting to have) a profit motive in our practice.
Jasson Urbach, speaking of South Africa’s enormously popular Vitality program, noted: “Innovative wellness programmes, such as Vitality, that are driven, not by altruism, but by the profit motive, are an important method of tackling the increasing burden of chronic disease across the globe.”
There’s nothing wrong with making a good income by helping people reach new heights of health and wellness, and it’s time we stopped thinking of profit as something that sullies our image. If you want to be totally altruistic, open up a free clinic and give your services away for free. If you’re independently wealthy or have a spouse to support you and your family, that might be an option. Otherwise, we have to charge for what we provide.
The problem isn’t with profit. It’s with making patient and client health care decisions BASED only (or even primarily) on profit.
Should a doctor of chiropractic recommend weekly visits only because he or she wants to buy a new car and needs the extra income, that’s WRONG. It’s exactly the same as surgeons performing unnecessary procedures just to pad their checkbook.
But if those weekly visits are honestly going to help the patient, then it’s the RIGHT recommendation, regardless of how much or how little the doctor charges for those visits.
The same goes for other products and services provided in your office. Do you REALLY believe in the efficacy of the vitamin supplements you’re selling, or are you doing it just for the money they bring in? Have you personally tested the pillows and mattresses you’re recommending or are you selling them because you get a nice fat commission?
If you can honestly say that you recommend and/or sell ONLY those services and products you feel are beneficial, then why be ashamed to make a profit on them? Can your patients get the same thing for free elsewhere?
Making money from health care has gotten a bad rap thanks to the obscene profits being made by drug makers and some medical providers. Yet, when you really examine the issues, the fact that they make profits isn’t the real problem. It’s the fact that they put profits before the welfare of the public. They make billions of dollars selling overpriced and dangerous pills that don’t cure anything, performing unnecessary surgical procedures, and recommending and administering useless (and even harmful) vaccines.
Do you really think you’re in the same category because you charge a fee for your services, or give patients the opportunity to purchase helpful products in your office? How many of your patients work eight hours a day for free?
You have two choices:
1) Embrace the profit motive and build a high-volume, successful and prosperous practice that can provide wellness care to THOUSANDS of people.
2) Go broke, close your doors, and be unable to help anyone.
By choosing a wellness practice, you’ve already proven that you aren’t in it solely for the money (a successful drug sales rep can easily make more money than a doctor of chiropractic, acupuncturist, or other non-medical health care provider!). So, hold your head up high and make your practice a super success!
Terry Rondberg, D.C. is Founder and CEO of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), an international organization that promotes subluxation-based chiropractic. A leading figure in the health care community, Dr. Rondberg is dedicated to promoting health and wellness. Dr. Rondberg, is an accomplished author, public speaker, educator and advocate of drug-free chiropractic. 
Interesting topic….especially in the United States right now with so many health care changes coming in the near future. This is definitely something we should all explore as a community. It’s a unique balance between caring for your patients and also benefitting from that care in terms of financial gain.
Great article! A great addition to terry a rondberg.com!
Great article, the notion that you are unprofessional because you are making money is a nonsense. So long as you are ethical in your practice, why shouldn’t you benefit. You education wasn’t for free, your not employed to only perform public services. Its a great life if you can derive an income and provide a service like chiropractic, you can have a good life while helping others find health and wellness.
Great article!
I think you are spot on. From what I can see in the Bible, God wants us to prosper and to make profits. Profits help us to help others, whether by expanding business and employing more people, and/or by giving us the opportunity to fund charitable organizations. God bless America, where a person can still make profits–at least for now.
It is so refreshing to have one of our professions leaders address this topic. You hit this one perfectly. Please keep it coming…
I agree Terry. The notion that a Dr. should not be getting paid for fitting a TENS unit on their patient is absurb. What better way to bring in the additional income you deserve. Its Your office, Your patient, Your experience and Your time.
This Joe Manion is always acting as if TENS is the “end all”. Joe, sounds like you are a TENS unit provider. Lol….Don’t be so obvious. Learn the business, lol.