ADVANCE, the journal of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER), just published the article, “Where to Be In 2004? AASP…The Fastest Growing Organization of Its Kind.” On pages 4/14 in the Winter issue ADVANCE outlined the ways for chiropractors to “stand out from the pack.” The most important such ways follow:

1)       Recognition as a Spine Expert

2)       Extra Qualification(s)

3)       Highly Regarded Colleagues/Referral Source

4)       Presence in Online Listings/National Directory of Spine Physicians

5)       Education of Patients

6)       Media Exposure

The articele described the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP) as helping chiropractors/chiropractic physicians by giving enhanced recognition thorugh the above listed six ways to stand out:

1)    Recognition as a Spine Expert via the AASP membership wall certificate and opportunity to be credentialed as a Spine Physician. (Note: “Spine Physician” denotes an interest in the care of patients with spine problems, not necessarily the limitation of practice to treating spinal disorders.)

2)    Extra Qualification(s) for chiropractors and neurosurgeons who pursue the same educational programs online to obtain Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians (D.A.A.S.P.) and Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians (F.A.C.S.P.). More and more patients are looking for doctors with special expertise and diplomate/Fellow status give a significant competitive advantage.

3)    Highly Regarded Colleagues/Referral Sources certainly describe neurosurgeons who are at the highest level of the medical profession. Chiropractors who work with neurosurgeons get enhanced recognition from patients because of the “halo effect".

4)    Presence in Online Listings/National Directory of Spine Physicians is becoming mandatory as exponentially-increasing numbers of individuals are searching for doctors online. AASP members get special priority listing, many with website hookups.

5)   Education of Patients demonstrates to the patients the doctor’s interest in them. The educated patient is the doctor’s best referral source. Having a Patient Information Center (PIC) on the chiropractor’s website is made possible by a seamless link to the extensive AASP database (all written in language the public can understand).

6)    Media Exposure is very helpful to the chiropractor and the AASP offers members a media kit with press releases that can be personalized (each doctor’s name and location). A newly added “Build Your Own Press Release” program is available so that AASP members can incorporate news items from the AASP newsletter, ACADEMY NEWS, into personalized press releases. These press releases are often found by internet search engines and, thus, further increase the visibility of the AASP member (chiropractor or neurosurgeon).

In summary, the AASP gives its members a SIGNIFICANT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE and is, indeed, the place to be in 2004 as the article in ADVANCE stated.