What are the best ways to retain patients in physical therapy?

In order to keep our patients/clients we need to be attentive, open and communicative to their needs. Clearly explaining the what and why before doing the how. Some practitioners go jump into the how can we fix the problem. We also need to involve them in their plan of care by setting goals and expectations with them. Let them be involved in working out towards their own goal as well. That way we have a good relationship with our clients

It all starts in the initial evaluation- patients want to know that you are an expert and that you care about them specifically. Building trust in that first interaction is vital.

Very true. You win them Over the first visit as well as your front office staff. Make sure you are attentive, explain their problem and how you will work on it

Word of mouth - strongest referral source. Quickest way of fostering great rapor with the community. SMART goals extremely effective

To retain patients in physical therapy, focus on: 1. **Effective Communication:** Clearly communicate treatment plans, progress, and involve patients in decision-making. 2. **Personalized Care:** Tailor therapies to individual needs, considering their goals and lifestyle. 3. **Empathy and Support:** Show genuine concern, understanding, and provide emotional support. 4. **Educate Patients:** Explain the importance of exercises and routines, empowering them to take an active role in their recovery. 5. **Consistent Follow-ups:** Regularly check in with patients, even after their formal therapy period, to monitor progress and address any concerns. Remember, a patient-centric approach fosters loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

When it comes to retaining patients during physical therapy, clear communication is key. Make sure to express your concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback to your therapist. By clearly communicating your needs and goals, you can ensure that your therapy program is tailored to your specific needs, which can help maintain your patience and motivation throughout the process.

I have learned the different patients require different forms of communication. Some are more verbal and some are non-verbal. Some want to hear logical reasoning while others want to hear motivational story telling. The better I understand how my individual patient prefers to communicate the more clearly I can explain the importance of what we are doing and why we are doing it.

In addition to clear communication, offering flexible and convenient options to physical therapy patients can greatly enhance their experience. By providing alternative scheduling options, such as early morning or evening appointments, patients can better fit therapy sessions into their busy lives. Additionally, offering telehealth options or home exercise programs can make therapy more accessible and convenient for those with limited mobility or transportation challenges. By being flexible and accommodating, patients feel supported and empowered in their rehabilitation journey.

Today, in my clinic I had a returning patient tell me how embarrassed she was because she stopped doing her home exercise program and has fallen out of shape. I explained the importance of giving herself permission to focus on other things and when the time is right, like right now, she will then come back to resume her physical therapy. We offer flexible scheduling and we eliminated cancelation and no-show fees because it did not improve compliance but rather inadvertently caused patients to feel guilty and quit coming to physical therapy.

Value and quality are tough to define. I have been a licensed physical therapist since 2006 but the way I define quality is very different than the way many of my patients define it. The first priority is to understand your patient's true goals and then with your patient's involvement develop a treatment plan and performance metrics that will guide the measurement of quality. I always ask my patient to define what success will look like and establish ways to measure that success.

In my physical therapy practice we use a self report form that allows my patient to answer the question "Since I started physical therapy at [Name of Practice] I have improved my ability to _______." This allows patients to develop their own thoughts and put into writing their self assessed progress. We then ask for permission to share these assessments with other patients and prospects to help them see what is possible.