Editor’s Note: This post references AcuGraph 5, which has been succeeded by AcuGraph CS. The clinical concepts discussed remain applicable to current practice.
Did you know AcuGraph 5 has a built in framework for sending patients home with instructions and images of acupuncture points that they can treat at home to continue improvement? With a single click you can mark any of the points from your treatment plan for Home Care.
Why should I make Home Care suggestions?
If you’re not doing it yet, using Home Care treatment options is a good idea for 3 reasons:- Improved Outcomes: When your patient is given a task that extends their care away from your office, it positively enhances their care and the extended treatment has a greater effect. These effects are cumulative over time. Patients notice this and expect better results.
- Patient Compliance: Your patients are reminded of you and your treatment every time they repeat this Home Care treatment. When they think about you often, they’re more likely to follow your suggestions with other health choices.
- Increased Loyalty: What other medical provider treats their patients AND teaches them how to treat themselves for ongoing care? If you’re not doing this yet, you need to start with your very next patient visit. Your patients will recognize the difference and will become more loyal because of the enhanced relationship. Also, they will more quickly and easily refer other people to you for your services.
Okay, I get it, so how do I do it?
AcuGraph 5 makes this super easy and practically automatic, as part of the exam and treatment you already provide. To do it, simply click on the box in the column under the “house” icon. This will automatically add this point and instructions to your patient printout.
If you would like to add special instructions for the patient for any point or other recommendation, simply click on the “Home Care” tab at the top of the graph window, and add your Home Care Instructions in the window below.
And finally, when you email or print the report, make sure the Home Care boxes are selected.
Not only does this automatically give the patient homework to do at home to continue engagement with you, but it marks the note for the treatment in the patient file as having been treated at home. A quick file review will alert you to follow-up with the patient at the next visit.
As you can see, the Home Care options in AcuGraph 5 are really easy to use and very important for successful outcomes.
If you’re not using them yet, think about making that recommendation to the very next patient you see.
This is just one more way AcuGraph is making your life a little easier and your practice life a little better.
