The physical therapist you choose should be someone who you feel comfortable with and with whom you can connect. Developing this connection is often the most important aspect of treatment.
Your PT should be willing to try new things when it comes to your recovery. They should also be open to listening if they know something isn’t working.
1. Experience
Physical therapists like https://laclinicasc.com/ continuing education is a vital component to staying up-to-date on current treatments and techniques. Some PTs even choose to pursue additional certifications in specific areas of practice, such as women’s health.
This extra work can make it tough to find a balance between PT work and family life. However, some therapists can be so dedicated to their patients that they sacrifice their own health and well-being. When this occurs, it’s important to find a new physical therapy professional. You can do this by researching therapists and their credentials.
2. Reputation
As a patient, you want to find a physical therapist that will treat your injuries with integrity. Integrity means that they are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and treating patients with the respect they deserve.
You can check a physical therapist’s reputation by looking at online reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp as well as healthcare provider-centric sites like HealthGrades. It’s a good idea to task someone in your clinic with keeping track of these platforms regularly so that you can directly respond to any patient concerns or compliments and also identify recurring themes that need attention.
3. Personality
Physical therapists must be compassionate, humble and communicate well with their patients. They also need to have a good moral compass. They should be able to guide and encourage their patients through the difficult times of recovery.
Researchers have identified personality traits that contribute to inter-therapist variation in treatment outcome. This includes therapists’ gender, age and life events. Other factors such as patient personality traits, health beliefs, moral compass, and placebo effects could have a direct effect on a patient’s response to therapy. Therefore, future studies examining therapist-patient interaction should address these variables.
4. Availability
The right physical therapist can help you achieve your recovery goals. You want a professional who will have your best interests in mind, but also has the flexibility to adjust their approach as needed.
You can find out whether a potential PT to this site has availability in your area by scheduling an initial consultation. This will give you a chance to assess their communication skills and whether they can provide the care that you require.
It is also important to check with a perspective PT’s office regarding insurance acceptance and the cost of treatment, including any copayments, deductibles or referrals. This can make the difference in your ability to attend sessions consistently.
5. Insurance
While the outcome of a physical therapy session may be your top priority, it is also important to consider how much the services will cost. Checking your insurance coverage will help to avoid any surprises or financial burdens.
Most insurance plans cover a certain amount of physical therapy based on medical necessity. Checking your specific coverage will give you a better idea of what to expect with regard to pre-authorization, referral requirements, and out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Asking for recommendations from friends and family can be a good way to find a physical therapist that is in-network with your health insurance plan. Ask for their experience with the practitioner, and what their treatment methods are like.
6. Fees
When choosing a physical therapist, be sure to check how much they will charge per session. This can vary widely depending on a few factors, including the amount of time spent with you and the number of billable treatment interventions.
Many insurance providers cover physical therapy, so it is a good idea to check with yours about coverage details and requirements. It is also important to keep in mind that PT is generally less expensive than medication, and it provides long-term relief whereas pills only provide temporary relief from symptoms.
7. Certification
Once you’ve selected a physical therapist, they will evaluate your condition by assessing movement patterns. They will also look at other areas of the body to determine if the problem area is causing more widespread issues.
All states require a license to practice physical therapy. Licensing requirements include passing the National Physical Therapy Examination, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
Some physical therapists choose to become board-certified specialists in a particular specialty. The process requires additional education and clinical experience, plus passing a specialty exam.
