Are the needs of the patients you regularly see really at the center of your practice? Today’s expert used to think she was fully empowering patients until she discovered that she was really just scratching the surface. Stacey Zeigler, PT, DPT, GCS and Professor at Clarkson University, recently had the opportunity to present “Empowering Patient Autonomy for Outstanding Outcomes”the APTA Combined Sections Meetings held in New Orleans.
Zeigler defines patient autonomy as empowering the patient enough to make their own decisions in the treatment process. She recommends starting out with something as simple as discovering the patient’s motivation for coming to see you. Once you truly understand why patients come to see you and what they hope to accomplish, you’ll be able to help them achieve their goals. A patient may only want to be able to get on the floor and play with their grandchild, instead of regaining full strength and the ability to complete a full knee extension.
A number of tools are available to help physical therapists successfully empower their patients. Learn about some of the tools Zeigler recommends by listening to the full podcast. Her presentation is also available for download below the podcast link.
In recent years, the APTA has invested in educating consumers about the services and benefits physical therapists provide patients. A number of physical therapists have also dedicated their time and energy to educate the public about physical therapy. This week’s expert, Karen Litzy, PT takes her education efforts to the airwaves in a weekly radio show entitled Healthy, Wealthy & Smart.
In her live one-hour talk radio show, Litzy interview experts on a variety of health topics. From women’s health issues to the challenges of running your own clinic, each show makes a connection to physical therapy and health issues. Her primary audience of listeners includes physical therapists, health professionals and individuals interested in their health and well-being.
Want to learn more about promoting your clinic by hosting your own radio show? Listen now.
Patients have more options than ever for physical therapy. From privately-owned physical therapy clinics to those owned by a large corporation, the successful physical therapy clinics have found a way to differentiate their clinic from others in their area. Today’s expert, Cindi A. Prentiss Lattanzio, MBA, PT, OCS, Cert. MDt, LMT of Physical Therapy and Beyond enthusiastically shares some tips for marketing your clinic and why finding your own unique niche is critical to your success.
After working as a physical therapist for other clinics, Lattanzio opened her own private clinic 11 years ago. She decided to focus on back pain and women’s health issues to help set her clinic apart from other physical therapists in the area. The clinic still does everything that a patient would need physical therapy for, but highlights spine and women’s health issues in their marketing efforts. The clinic also offers monthly “Helping You Help Yourself” patient educational seminars and invites local specialists to join her in educating patients. These seminars offer another benefit, educating the specialists and physicians about ways physical therapy can help their patients.
Listen now to learn some new techniques to address women’s health issues and enhance your patient referrals.
When a patient complains of shoulder pain, should you just treat the shoulder? Or is another issue causing the pain? Today’s expert makes a case for looking at the whole body instead of just the area causing the pain when treating patients. Clare Frank DPT, MS, OCS, FAAOMPT utilizes Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization in her private clinic based in Los Angeles, California and is a certified instructor for Kolar’s Approach to Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization and Janda’s Approach to Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes. She’s also the author of “Assessment and Treatment of Muscle Imbalance: The Janda Approach.”
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) is a form of manual rehabilitation based upon development kinesiology. DNS incorporates all the elements of movement and works to stimulate movement control centers in the brain by activating inborn movement stereotypes. The process examines motor control, stability and quality of movement. The DNS method helps prevent irritation to injuries by balancing the body while teaching the brain to maintain central control and stabilize movement.
Hear more about Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization and motion analysis by listening to Dr. Frank now. Additional information on Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization can also be found at www.rehabps.com.
Patients have more options than ever for physical therapy. From privately-owned physical therapy clinics to those owned by a large corporation, the successful physical therapy clinics have found a way to differentiate their clinic from others in their area. Today’s expert, Cindi A. Prentiss Lattanzio, MBA, PT, OCS, Cert. MDt, LMT of 