Larry Benz, DPT joins Jeff Worrell for a discussion about private practice physical therapy and how to stay competitive in a changing healthcare market. Dr. Benz knows what it takes to be successful as he is the former owner of Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team, (KORT), a chain of Physical Therapy Clinics which was ultimately sold to Select Medical. Now, holding the position of President of PT Development, Dr. Benz guides clinicians looking to improve their position in the market.
In today’s show, Benz recommends that therapists focus on what they do best by increasing their knowledge of the basics through continuing education and improving their expertise of the conditions they see in their practice. He believes in creating processes to better manage the practice and then he strongly suggests a focus on providing excellent customer service and gives solid reasons to back up his approach.
To learn more about the work of Larry Benz, visit www.evidenceinmotion.com or www.myphysicaltherapyspace.com. To comment on this podcast, send an email to feedback@PTtalker.com.
2 Comments
While I understand Benz to mean that customer service brings previous patients back for quality service the description of making people patients for life smacks a bit too much like the unsavory chiro model I disagree with.
I also disagree with his stance against PTs getting involved in more wellness dimensions. A therapist’s competencies can and should extend to the breadth of human movement, both well and dysfunctional. The characterization of Pilates and Gyrotonic as “flavors of the month” seems to run counter to the previous interview’s theme from Alison Cabot. I realize you are presenting a different viewpoint, and I am all for seeing many sides of an issue, but it seemed a bit derisive in the tone with which it was discussed.
I applaud Benz’s focus on evidence and relying on our expertise in efficacy and cost control. I think that as we keep ourselves “open” to the deepening of our knowledge of what the research supports we don’t “close” ourselves off to the new avenues of knowledge and practice growth, yet to be justified with literature but still delivering significantly positive outcomes in clinics everyday.
Bob,
I totally agree with Dr. Benz’s prescription to make the PT-patient relationship a long term commitment defined by patient need, not by a physician’s order.
This relationship puts the patient in the driver’s seat as far as determining ‘value’ (a struggle third party payers are currently unable to win).
Unfortunately, their is no future in a cash pay system where the patient chooses providers based entirely on short-run benefit. These systems exist and are often dominated by excessive reliance on ‘rubbing’ or the ‘unsavory chiro model’ you mentioned in your post.
No, the American PT of the future needs to keep a sharp focus on risk reduction to demonstrate value. Risk reduction (such as falls or reducing chronic re-occurances of LBP)is a long-term outcome that is only measurable by large, well-organized payers or their surrogates.
Tim