For those who have been to PT before, what was the experience like? And for those who have not been, what do you think the experience would be like?

Having talked with current and prospective patients, I realize the perception and understanding of what PT is and does is all over the place. Some associate therapy with stretching and things like heat/ice/estim (modalities). Prospective and patients alike believe they are likely to spend time with multiple providers and support personal “watching” them do exercise (they could be doing at home). Maybe getting about 10-15 minutes of direct contact with the provider. They think experiencing more pain with every session is just a part of the process. And that they must go 3x/wk to achieve success.

What if I told you that was the old way of thinking and treating?

Now, what if the treatment was solely focused around YOU (the patient)? What if there was mutual collaboration on the entire process? And what if it could be completed with fewer visits per week and more time spent with the primary provider?

This patient-centered care is how therapy should be. Wouldn’t it be nice if a provider actually looked at you during an examination and not a computer typing? We should be talking with our patients and learning everything we can about their “problem”, how it impacts their life, and to learn exactly how we can then help that person. By fully listening and learning, we will be more likely to find success treating that person FASTER. With more time (up to an hour per session), fewer sessions will be needed because more can be accomplished each session. And with all the time spent with the primary provider, there will be less guesswork with treatment and better modification of the program to take the patient to their goals quicker.

The treatment should be focused on assisting the patient achieve their goals actively. Treatment should NOT be heavy on the passive modalities such as ice/heat and estim. While they may feel good, rarely do they take the individual toward their goal. An active plan may include hands-on care in addition to exercise. The final piece of the puzzle is patient education. It is important that each patient fully understand what is going on and the plan to address it.

So…how does that sound??? More time with the provider. Fewer visits necessary meaning less time spent away from work or family. Shared decision making. And learning about your condition and how to overcome it.

With continued cuts in healthcare reimbursement will this be possible? Not likely in the standard model of care. To get this time and attention to detail, one must be ready and willing to step outside the box to find the provider who can deliver this level of care.

Are you ready for the change?