Hope and Opportunity
By Stacy M. Menz, PT, DPT, PCS
As I read through Sturdy’s article this month, appropriately titled, “Hope and Opportunity,” I was struck by exactly that, the hope and opportunity that our profession has. The article discusses how when we contract with employers directly to provide services to their employees, we are not only getting their employees back to work, but also we are preventing lost time from work—creating a savings on the company’s bottom line. Through these actions, we are demonstrating our value as a profession.
What I found even more compelling was that therapists are contracting with companies in ways that are innovative. One therapist is working with the ballet, while another works with a tech company. If you are in pediatrics like me, you can contract with school systems (this is the kiddo version of work). The opportunities are there if we as a profession look for them and continue to promote our own value.
Even more exciting is how we have moved beyond just getting employees back to work, we are also preventing injuries and thereby preventing days missed. And as employers ourselves, who cannot get behind the idea of keeping our employees working! What are some of the innovative ideas you and your company have supported employers by keeping their staff healthy? I can only speak from a pediatric perspective, but I know that we have begun using motor groups in the pre-schools where we work, which has cut down on the number of referrals for physical therapy overall; it has also empowered the teachers and staff on how to support their kiddos. It would be great to hear your ideas on our discussion board www.ppsapta.org.
On a different topic, we are going to start running a new column occasionally called “What’s on my Desk?” I know as a business owner, and as a person, I am always looking for new and interesting ideas for things to listen to, read, and explore. So, I am sharing four of the things that I am into at the moment. I would love to hear from other members of the private practice section with regards to what’s on your desk (or iphone, or computer, or ipad). If you want to share, please write it up and send it into me, and we will include it in one of our issues.
