The benefits of engaging with online reviews (even the worst ones)
By Peter Decoteau
Online reviews are a vital resource for customers, especially those seeking
service providers. Consider the last time you hired someone to provide a
service — car repair, dinner, dentist — without researching their Google,
Yelp, social media, and/or other reviews. I’ll wager it was likely during the
Bush Jr. presidency, or they were referred by a friend or family member — what
those in the digital sphere might refer to as an “IRL (in real life) review.”
Guidance regarding fraud in telemedicine and nondiscrimination in telehealth.
By Paul J. Welk, JD, PT
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many physical therapy practices quickly
implemented, or otherwise accelerated, the use of telehealth as a method of
providing patient care services and surviving a very uncertain business
environment. With a very short timeline to implement a telehealth program,
many practices may not have had adequate time and resources to consider
appropriate policies and procedures governing the provision of telehealth
services. Recently, a number of federal agencies have published guidance
relevant to the provision of telehealth. This guidance provides a good
opportunity for practices to either develop, or otherwise reevaluate, their
telehealth policies, procedures, and processes from a legal and compliance
perspective. This article will highlight some important issues addressed in
this recent guidance.
How two practices are growing by giving back
By Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT
Creating personal connections with patients has never been more important.
Patient referrals, brand reputation, and social media are influencing how and
where patients choose to seek care. According to the recent PT Patient
Experience Report, “44% of patients are choosing clinics without a doctor’s
recommendation, and 89% use other factors, such as social proof (e.g.,
reviews) and schedule flexibility when deciding where to seek care.”1
However, after two-plus years of a pandemic and social distancing, some
practices may be struggling to build the authentic connections so crucial to
patient loyalty and employee retention.
Federal laws that regulate the relationship between clinician and referral source
By Jason W. Bialker, Esq
Physical therapists in private practice have always been challenged by the need to generate new referrals and new
referral sources to maintain their space in the market to not only keep the doors open, but to maintain a steady, and
hopefully increasing supply of patients in a competitive market.
Show appreciation to employees, patients, and your community.
By Heidi Rose Bender, MBA
What does gratitude truly mean and how can you create a culture of gratitude
within your organization? The Brittanica Dictionary defines gratitude as “a
feeling of appreciation or thanks.” As a practice owner, you want to ensure
your employees and patients know how thankful you are for them and to them. In
keeping with that sentiment, you want to create an atmosphere of appreciation
– but where do you start? Creating a culture of gratitude in your practice
starts from the top down. For clinic owners and administrators to develop a
complete culture of gratitude, employees, patients, and the community at large
must all be considered. Each audience is equally important in fully embracing
an “attitude of gratitude.”
