Why Your Report of Findings Can Make or Break Patient Retention

The Chiropractic Report of Findings:

Four Steps That Drive Patient Confidence and Retention

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The Report of Findings (ROF) is one of the most important conversations you have with your patients, yet it’s often rushed, inconsistent, or skipped altogether. When delivered properly, the chiropractic Report of Findings builds trust, clarifies expectations, and lays the foundation for long-term patient relationships. When handled poorly, it can lead to confusion, drop-offs, and missed opportunities for continued care.

Let’s break down the four essential components of an effective chiropractic Report of Findings and why each one matters.

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1. Feed the Patient’s Hunger for Information

Patients walk into your office looking for answers. They want to know what’s wrong, why it happened, and what it will take to get better and stay better. The Report of Findings is your opportunity to step fully into your role as the doctor and provide clear, confident guidance.

During this phase of the ROF, structure matters. Explain your findings in a way that connects the exam results to the patient’s symptoms. When patients understand their condition, they feel more confident in both you and the care you recommend.

2. Clearly Lay Out the Plan of Care

Once patients understand the problem, they want a roadmap forward. A strong chiropractic Report of Findings clearly communicates three things:

• The issue: What the exam revealed
• The goal: What improvement looks like
• The plan: How care will progress and when re-evaluations will occur

By outlining timelines, expectations, and re-exam checkpoints, you reduce uncertainty and help patients commit to the process with confidence.

3. Plant the Maintenance Care Seed Early

Many practices wait until the end of active care to introduce maintenance or supportive care—and by then, it’s often too late. Instead, the Report of Findings should begin framing maintenance care early in the episode.

Explain that graduating from corrective care is a success, not an ending. Help patients understand that insurance may stop covering care at a certain point, but their long-term spinal health does not. When patients hear this message consistently and early, it prevents frustration and last-minute financial objections.

4. Create a Clean Financial Handoff

After the doctor delivers the clinical Report of Findings, the financial conversation should transition smoothly to the team. This handoff is critical.

Patients want transparency. They want to know what insurance is expected to cover, what limitations may apply, and what their financial responsibility will be moving forward. When your front office reinforces the ROF with clear options and no surprises, trust increases, and so does retention.

Why the Chiropractic Report of Findings Matters More Than Ever

A well-structured chiropractic Report of Findings improves patient understanding, increases acceptance of care plans, supports compliance, and strengthens long-term retention. It also sets the tone for referrals, supportive care, and overall patient satisfaction.

If your ROF feels inconsistent or unclear, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The KMC University Library offers tools, training, and examples to help you refine this critical process. One-on-One coaching is also available for practices that want hands-on support. If you are unsure what membership is the best fit for your practice or would like support,  Schedule a Free Discovery Assessment! Our specialists are ready to guide you.

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Dr. Erin Stubblefield graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA in 2006. After practicing privately, she transitioned to Chiropractic education for 13 years before joining KMC University as a Specialist in 2024. Currently, Dr. Stubblefield is the owner of Sunflower Consulting, LLC, a healthcare consulting and practice coaching group. Dr. Stubblefield partners with KMC to provide accurate, current, and compliant information. For further information, you can reach her at drerin@kmcuniversity.com