It's always best if you can arrange it so the spouse can accompany your patient for your report of findings. The spouse can be a major influence, affecting your patient's compliance and results. So, getting the spouse on your side is worth the effort.

If getting both partners to converge on your office at the same time is impossible, remember that when your patient gets home, the first question he or she will be asked is, "What did the doctor say?"

How will your new patient answer this simple but important question? Stumble for words? Struggle to explain the simple concept of chiropractic? Tell their spouse that you found several "submarines" in their spine? In other words, will they project a confident, hopeful attitude about their chiropractic care or will they sound confused as they make attempts at repeating what you said?

Consider having your patients "rehearse" their answer to this common question before they even leave your office! Help them become more confident by asking at the conclusion of your report, "When you get home you're probably going to be asked about what we've talked about today. When you're asked, 'What did the doctor say?' what are you going to say?"

Coach if you need to. Congratulate them if you can. Gently correct them if you must. But it's a great question that can reveal how well your patient will be able to defend their chiropractic decision when they get home, and perhaps even more important, it can reveal how well you communicated your findings while everything is still fresh in your mind.

# 1 Dimmer Switch

# 2 Spinal Flossing

# 3 Record Your Reports

# 4 Have Patients Hold Your Model

# 5 Compare With Textbook Normal

# 6 Modify Based on Generation

# 7 Use Metaphors

# 8 Use More Power Words

# 9 Link to Key Value

#10 Rehearse Their Explanation

Discover that it's not what you tell a patient that makes a difference. It's what you ask. Million Dollar Questions is a one-hour "mini-seminar" that explores 21 non-clinical questions to ask patients that will improve their understanding and stimulate referrals.