MET 101 eBook Tip 24: Physical Therapist….Develop an Aftercare Program in Your Practice

As medical exercise professionals, developing and maintaining strong relationships with medical providers is essential for building a successful practice. In the latest tip from the Medical Exercise Training 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike underscores the importance of integrating structured, protocol-based aftercare programs in physical therapy clinics, chiropractic offices, and other rehab settings.

Key Highlights:

1. Understanding the Need for Aftercare Programs Insurance carriers are increasingly reducing reimbursements for physical therapy services, leading to patients being discharged without adequate follow-up care. To bridge this gap, Dr. Mike advocates for the establishment of aftercare programs. These programs provide structured exercise protocols for patients whose insurance benefits have been exhausted but who still require supervised exercise to manage their conditions.
2. Developing Protocol-Based Programs Dr. Mike emphasizes that aftercare programs must be protocol-based to ensure consistency and safety. By creating specific exercise and progression guidelines for the most common conditions treated in your practice, you can enhance patient outcomes and reduce liability. These protocols should be communicated to all staff members involved in the aftercare program, ensuring they are followed meticulously.
3. Marketing Your Aftercare Program To build a thriving medical exercise practice, it is crucial to market your aftercare program to physicians, other therapists, chiropractors, and community entities like churches and senior centers. Highlight the benefits of your program, such as improved patient outcomes and the structured transition from physical therapy to regular exercise. Ensuring clear communication with insurance carriers about the non-therapy nature of the aftercare program can also facilitate reimbursement for medical memberships.
4. Training and Staff Involvement Having well-trained staff is vital for the success of your aftercare program. Dr. Mike recommends employing medical exercise specialists, physiologists, and rehab technicians who are adept at supervising exercise programs and identifying red flags that may require referral back to a physical therapist or physician.
5. Reassessment and Continuous Monitoring Regular reassessments and program updates are key components of a successful aftercare program. These should include evaluations of strength, flexibility, balance, endurance, and function. Any red flags should prompt a referral to a physical therapist or physician, ensuring ongoing safety and appropriateness of the exercise regimen.

Conclusion:

Integrating aftercare programs into your physical therapy practice not only enhances patient care but also differentiates your clinic from others. By following protocol-based approaches, marketing effectively, and ensuring continuous staff training, you can build a robust medical exercise practice that meets the needs of your patients even after their physical therapy benefits have ended.

For more detailed tips and strategies, visit www.met101ebook.com and download your FREE copy of the Medical Exercise Training 101 eBook.