R. Jay Wipf, RN, BS, DC Associate Doctor Syndrome Associate doctor syndrome is the main cause of multiple doctor group chiropractic business stagnation and plateau, thereby limiting the growth of aspiring multiple doctor group practices. Identifying and understanding associate doctor syndrome is the first step in dealing with it effectively and implementing a remedy to mutually benefit all that it adversely affects. Presently employing 10 associate doctors and having had as many as 13 under contract, I've observed a syndrome specific to chiropractic physicians.
Civilian systems are similar.
It must be the school loans that are the real issue. They seem to forget that school loans can be put into forbearance during any residency. At this point, the dreaded associate doctor syndrome becomes clinically apparent. He sees himself at the top of Maslow's hierarchy pyramid, i.e., self-actualization. There are no further levels to ascend.