Any medical professional can lose their license – including chiropractors. One small slipup could cause you to risk losing everything you worked for and built.
As a licensed chiropractor, there are rules you have to follow. Otherwise, you may have to face probation, suspension or revocation of your license. Here’s what you should avoid:
1. Intimate relations with patients
Healthcare providers are prohibited from having sexual relationships with their patients. Suggesting having a relationship with patients or staff may be construed as sexual harassment. Chiropractic treatment is a very engaging procedure and the wrong gesture or touch may be considered inappropriate.
2. Medical negligence
Because of the line of work a chiropractor is involved in, the wrong action may cause a patient serious injuries. Likewise, the lack of medical treatment and dismissal of a patient’s symptoms may worsen their medical condition. Either of these actions may be considered medical negligence.
3. Intoxication or drug abuse
Coming into your work intoxicated or under the influence of drugs may result in a license suspension. Not only is this a violation of work ethics but it may show harshly on your records. It reflects poorly on the profession as a whole and can be considered an ethical issue.
4. Acting outside the limits of your ability
Your license proves that you have a particular skill set that allows you to perform on patients. Acting outside the scope of your license may cause irreparable damage to a patient and cause a license suspension or revocation. For example, “diagnosing” a patient with an autoimmune disease based on your hunch as you treat them without running tests would be beyond your skill set.
It’s always best to stay professional and stay within the bounds of your license. However, accidents do happen and you may need to reach out for legal help when creating a defense.