Robert Silverman, DC, on adapting to digital patient care in COVID-19

In this live video interview, Robert Silverman, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, MS, CCN, CNS, CSCS, CIISN, CKTP, founder and chief executive officer of the Westchester Integrative Health Center in White Plains, New York, joins Integrative Practitioner editor, Katherine Rushlau, to discuss adapting to digital patient care and telemedicine from a chiropractic and clinical nutrition perspective in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We need to do whatever we can to stay connected with our patients,” said Silverman. “For us, we’ve moved a lot online and I strong recommend telemedicine and telehealth. Reach out and help your patients, even if it’s just talking through things.”

Silverman said his clinic is continuing to work with patients, completing assessments and diagnostic tests, nutrition consulting, and embracing media to offer education, including online workouts, podcasts, and webinars.

“You’ve got to get your message out,” he said. “Beyond that, your patients need you now, they need you more than ever, they’re scared, and they don’t know who to listen to and who to trust. This is novel, so there is no playbook.”

Silverman said the it’s been a fast learning curve trying to adapt and suggests practitioners start taking advantage of multiple channels to reach out to patients, including social media, e-mail, and other virtual opportunities to stay in touch. This will set practitioners up for success when patients can return to their practice in-person.

“Patients will remember when this all ends, and it will,” he said, “and they will come back.”

Please enjoy the rest of the video interview, featuring strategies for adapting to a digital practice, overcoming challenges specific to chiropractors and other practitioners offering manual therapies, and strategies for maintaining optimal health and wellbeing through nutrition and lifestyle. Silverman shares his experiences and how life has changed since COVID-19, including his tips for making the most of this time.