Becoming integrated by getting involved.
By Jarod Hall, PT, DPT, and Mike Connors, PT, DPT, PhD
While we all can agree that a private practice exists to provide healthcare to the members of the area in which it is located, contributing value to the local community is equally important. Simply opening your doors does not necessarily guarantee that you will become an integral part of the community you serve.. Here are a few ideas to help you contribute to your community:
The biggest changes are yet to come.
By David McMullan, PT
In Part 1 of this two-part series on the evolution of the physical therapy industry, we left off about 10 years ago, when the patient population began to decline as a result of increasing copays. At the same time, staff costs started to rise substantially and physical therapists saw a decrease in what they were paid. In Part 2 of this series, we will discuss how physical therapy clinic owners can successfully thrive in this ever-changing health care environment. We will explore how the combination of value-based care, advocacy, an informed patient population, and technology advances have the potential to push the physical therapy industry into a second boom.
The following is an excerpt from a presentation given at the 2017 Graham session.
By Efosa L. Guobadia, PT, DPT
The question of “what I believe” led me on a mental exercise in which I reflected on the past, studied the present, and then glanced ahead at the future. Toeing the line of all three time phases elucidated my deep-down beliefs, how they developed, and how they might evolve.
A mentor of mine in physical therapy school once encouraged me to take to the mountains and valleys after graduation and to maximize life through service and exploration. After getting a job in Chicago in 2010, I began doing service work domestically and internationally in different environments. During those experiences of using my hands, heart, and words to support others on their healing journey, I garnered a better understanding of different people in different environments. In 2015 I took things further. I traveled to 22 countries in eight consecutive months, wanting to capture a mosaic of physical therapy, local service, and different cultures from all over the world. My activities included setting up clinics while mentoring clinicians, consulting with health care and municipality leaders on how to best meet their local needs, and teaching at hospitals. In all of these efforts I did my best to leave something behind and to foster sustainable change. As you would expect, I saw much, I felt much, I learned much.
The biggest changes are yet to come.
By David McMullan, PT*
The physical therapy and rehabilitation industry has grown and changed considerably over the years. With the move toward value-based care, perhaps the biggest changes and growth opportunities are yet to come. As physical therapy owners across the country prepare for massive health care–wide transformation, a look back at the evolution of the modern physical therapy industry seems fitting.
How to innovate wisely.
By Emily Teetzen, PT, DPT
Private practice physical therapy sits at the intersection between health care and business, both of which can present challenges. You are running a clinic in a fluid, ever-changing market while also facing the challenges presented within the health care system, which can be just as unpredictable and tumultuous. Direct access has increased our access to patients, but their path to our door can still be riddled with hurdles such as insurance coverage, visit limitations, copays, and physician referrals. You play a game of constant adaptation in trying to maintain your company’s unique identity while continuing to provide the best service and patient care. In addition, private practices need to innovate to attract and maintain effective and driven employees.
