The average physical therapy clinic treats up to 200 patients each week. That’s a lot of patients to manage!
How, then, can you ensure that each therapy patient has a stellar experience?
Improving and growing your practice depends on offering the best physical therapy patient experience. Use these tips to impress your patients and keep them returning week after week.
Have Proper Tables and Equipment
Patients want to walk into a physical therapy clinic knowing that they’ll have access to the best professional equipment.
This means you must have sufficient furniture, tables, and seating for a variety of uses.
Taping stations with storage, such as a practical modular taping station, come in handy when taping injured legs and other sports injuries. Massage beds and other multi-functional treatment tables are also essential.
Be sure to also have high-quality therapeutic products for a range of needs, from aquatic therapy tools to supportive pillows and chair backs. You can even choose high-tech options like underwear treadmills or virtual reality screens.
Having organized and functional equipment shows patients that your practice is trustworthy and always prepared.
Adjust Treatment for Each Patient
Physical therapy shouldn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
You may see many of the same common injuries and conditions repeatedly. But this doesn’t mean each person requires the same treatment. For example, not everyone with a frozen shoulder will need the same mobility exercises for the same amount of time.
Take each patient’s unique lifestyle, physical weaknesses, goals, and improvements into consideration.
Use a Holistic Approach
Believe it or not, physical therapy isn’t just physical. Considering someone’s mental and emotional state can greatly improve the patient experience.
Get to know each person’s mindset. Are they nervous about physical therapy? Are they feeling hopeless about their condition?
Taking their thoughts and feelings into consideration can help you tailor your approach beyond just the physical. Lend an ear to patients who may have no one else to talk to about their disability or injury.
Don’t forget to also gather information on a patient’s stress levels, medical history, nutrition, and other vital health information. This can help you create an effective, holistic therapy routine.
Cut Down on Multitasking
One of the quickest ways to ruin a patient’s experience is by multitasking.
Be careful to not overbook patients. And make sure there are enough people on your team to juggle daily tasks.
Then, when you’re with a patient or small group, you can give them your undivided attention.
Teach Through Therapy
The patient experience doesn’t only last in your office.
Teaching patients techniques they can use outside of physical therapy can help them feel more empowered both in and out of their physical therapy appointment.
Don’t just go through the motions to help patients build back strength. Teach them how to continue their progress on their own, too.
Create a Positive Therapy Patient Experience
To improve your practice and retain patients, a comfortable therapy patient experience is key.
Tailor your physical therapy practice to your patients’ needs. And create an environment where they can feel safe and empowered.
Then, as they make strides in therapy, your clinic can make strides in growing and building a loyal patient base.
Find more advice on building a clinic or medical business in our business articles!
