This year, you can create more lifetime care patients than you ever thought possible. With health care headed away from allopathic answers and toward integrative solutions, now is the time for chiropractors to step into their role as the "gatekeepers of health" for the children and adults in their communities.

As a frequent first "point of contact" for patients in today's world, chiropractors have become a "primary health care provider" and valuable resource for their communities when it comes to family health care issues.

If you haven't already done so, you should be thinking about how you can refer to, support, and integrate the services of other holistic health care providers in your area into the active care plan recommendations you are making for your own patients. Not only will the recommendations benefit your patients, but they will also open the door for dozens of referrals to roll through your practice each month as these same providers begin to reciprocate and respond in kind.

In fact, most chiropractic offices around the country are becoming "gatekeepers" of knowledge, assisting patients in finding the care they need, whether from a single resource or a combination of care options (including so-called "alternative" methods such as acupuncture, massage or homeopathy).

The time when health care providers were competing against one another is now ancient history, and today, the goal is to unify and integrate services in order to achieve optimum patient health.

As a health gatekeeper, you can capitalize on this new climate of cooperation to create a "cross-referral" system that will consistently bring you new lifetime care patients.

Make sure that you network with businesses that support your vision. Visit these establishments in person and introduce yourself and your services. Show them the value of what you can offer them and vice versa. It doesn't matter whether your practice is already established or you are just beginning. You are going to have lots of patients and they will be needing other services and products in the community, whether it be from nutritionists, herbalists, exercise outlets, spas or homeopaths.

Here are some mutually beneficial promotional ideas you can offer these providers:

*** Complimentary on-site health screenings.

*** Health handouts and educational material for their clients.

*** Enclose their marketing materials (or gift certificates) in your new patient folders.

*** Do fundraising with them or collaborate on special community events.

*** Give their patrons discounts on chiropractic care.

*** Let them hold a lecture or do a demonstration in your office.

Once you've introduced yourself, here are some great questions you can ask to help you build a relationship that will deliver results for everyone involved:

1. Where do you envision your company in the next three years?

2. What are your greatest challenges in getting there?

3. How can I support you in solving these problems or help you reach your goals?

4. Tell me more...

Remember, referrals are what drive any profitable business, including chiropractic. So, don't pass up the opportunities that are waiting right outside your door. Become the primary referral source for other health care providers in your community and build a first class family practice.

(Dr. Eric Plasker is the founder of The Family Practice, a chiropractic coaching and training organization that provides all the systems, tools and support to build a highly successful and profitable family practice. Internationally recognized as a speaker and educator, he is best known for rallying chiropractors around the Lifetime Care For Everyone [LCfE] and Family Practice visions. For seminar, coaching, training, or product information, call The Family Practice toll-free at 866/LEAD-DCS [532-3327], ext. 118. Or visit online at www.thefamilypractice.net.)