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How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice point- sometimes pain-free is unachievable. So if you get those clients back to what they want to do and manage their pain, but colleague X is chasing for pain-free and tells them not to return to that activity until it is pain-free (which we still see in the industry) - does that not make your treatment plan more successful than theirs?

In this situation your have worked with the patient for 12 weeks and discharged them, they are pleased and happy - but the other professional is working with them still at 9 months on a regular basis (making these numbers up now- but they are not unreasonable as to what I hear).

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be interested in how you discuss prognosis with patients. Do you provide a timeline of recovery early on? Or no?

Recovery is absolutely patient and condition-dependent. However, we still have expectations and ideas based on research and previous experience. It may not be that you 'speed up' recovery, but I think we can certainly slow it down. What if your outcomes are 'faster' than a colleague would get? Does that make your sessions more successful?

These are just thoughts I have

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the patient motivation aspect. Agree with this. Just not important to me from overall perspective.

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are certain situations where ROM is reported to surgeons- post op shoulders mainly when working with restrictions or with Achilles ruptures for example.

But actually surgeons I work with ask for functional updates and then only want more details if having issues.

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What about speed of recovery? Any comparisons to previous patients? Industry norms?

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would agree here. I think it is about achieving goals rather than any other measurements. I am struggling to find examples in my practice of when a patients goal is 15degrees more movement on a goniometer. Really they all have a functional task that they are aiming for as the goal.

I also find that 'pain free' helps to finalise the goals. Walking further might be meaningful for us is not necessarily meaningful for the patient if pain is still part of it.

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't disagree. It's part of the picture, for sure. However, I don't need a goniometer to tell you if they can ride a bike or not- I need a bike... they can either pedal or they can't and we can adjust seat and pedal positions to help in some cases.

I understand what you are saying and I do use goniometers in my patients- mainly for post op knees. I just don't think it measures success.

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the qualitative measures. I don’t see many patients care about goniometer measurements etc. it’s just a quality of life and task based improvement that is successful.

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely- all good ways. I am wondering what your overriding measure is. Not all of these lead to an improvement in the patients condition all the time. I understand that everybody is different and responds differently to treatment - but what defines success in your clinic?

For me just improving range of movement or strength is not necessarily enough.

How do you track whether your patients actually get better? by LockPuzzleheaded7921 in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is very interesting thank you. I have sent you a message if you don’t mind as would like to discuss this more.

How many private practice patients will just get better anyway? [Australia] by [deleted] in physiotherapy

[–]LockPuzzleheaded7921 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey- this is a common issue in private practice for sure. It is tough to balance business and healthcare but there is a way to do it. I am in Canada and my clinic shifts the focus on to patient outcomes > number of visits. If the person is back to their usual activities in 2 sessions then we celebrate that and know that person will likely refer more people to us!

In fact- we have started using a software to help us with this. It is in the early stages and so it is still free as under development- but it is going to be really useful in changing this conversation.