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Introducing the Physical Therapy Business Alliance (PTBA)

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the Physical Therapy Business Alliance (PTBA).  If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you will recall a request to participate in a Physical Therapy Practice Sustainability and Representation Survey. The survey resulted in over 800 respondents and clear, constant issues and messages . After a series of phone conferences, a dedicated group of private practice owners started to convene more formally to determine the feasibility of a trade organization focused on business issues of the profession, most notably the prevailing concerns of decreased reimbursement, regulatory constraints, and lack of a consumer message that private practice physical therapist businesses undoubtedly represents the best value in healthcare.  It became aware that many nascent groups were forming in various geographical areas across in regions or in some cases statewide where they were expressing similar concerns, thus a forum was needed to exist to assist, amplify, and communicate those initiatives.  Many of these "occupy" efforts across the U.S. have been done outside of traditional component and special interest group channels.  


After several meetings including legal consultation, strategic planning, executive and board development, and a full time administrator, PTBA was launched.  PTBA is now executing on our strategic plan and launching our general membership campaign.   A few month's back, PTBA began a soft, non-public launch of raising members via Founder's Circle invitations.  To date, we already represent 240 business locations, more than 730 physical therapists and 1,600 employees nationwide.  We have been transparent in communicating with APTA and in particular the Private Practice Section of which we so ardently support and (all BOD's of PTBA are required to be members of PPS) and we have some unconventional cooperative initiatives in planning stages with them.  As an organization of businesses (ATPA and its components such as PPS are individual memberships), we believe that many strategic alliances could be formed between PTBA and other PT related professional associations and stakeholder groups.

Although we have made a number of strides in recent years towards a more contemporary recognition of the role that physical therapists should play in healthcare, we don't believe the pace has been fast enough. Convinced that unbridled "GSD (get stuff done)" activism will generate tangible results quickly, PTBA's commitment is to be an agile organization built on a foundation of measured risk taking and motivated action.

As an example, we have demonstrated proof of concept in several key areas:

We can mobilize effectively
We can get legislation passed
We can leverage success of PT businesses to fuel success in other states
We can communicate rapidly efforts that are going on with external agents like OrthoNuts that are strangling business flow

These successes were achieved in collaboration amongst components, committees, PPS members and PTBA founders.  Results happen when we rally around the right idea, become unchained from stifling process, work collaboratively based on our collective strengths and influence, utilize innovative and "edgy" tactics, and motivate action without fear.

In short, PTBA exists to:

1. Be an ORGANIZATION of businesses.  There are many opportunities for organizations of "people" within our profession (sections, components, etc) but there is a void of business representation.
2. Be a PLATFORM to harness the power the power and awareness of local, grassroots efforts.   We will be a repository and broadcast through social media channels.
3. FOCUS on deliverables necessary for economic and clinical success of independent PT practices  (you will not see sales of branded capri shorts)
4. Create and leverage winning STRATEGIES.

If you want to be part of this movement, we invite you to obtain more information and and more importantly, JOIN. We need you.

PTBA Board Members

larry@physicaltherapist.com

john@texpts.com

The Value of a Patient Portal: Increasing compliance while reducing cost

As patients become more and more interested in engaging and communicating with their healthcare providers online, the demand for portal applications will only increase.  Patients are looking for innovative ways to access their health information and care providers – what better way than online patient portals? 

Portals are healthcare related online applications that allow patients to interact with their healthcare providers through secure websites or integrated electronic medical records (EMRs).   These applications can give patients the ability to request prescription refills, make appointments, receive medical reminders, view billing statements, and ask providers questions about ongoing treatment regimens (2).  The key is engagement and it’s a growing trend among individuals who expect the most out of their provider-patient relationships.

While portals empower patients to take control of their treatment and recovery, they hold even greater potential for healthcare providers.  In particular, these platforms can substantially enhance the quality of physical therapy care.  Compliance is an overarching issue for ensuring proper recovery during the physical rehabilitative process.  Think home exercise regimens, post-surgical contraindications, body mechanics… physical therapists always have so much to communicate and monitor. As we discussed in past blogs, compliance plays a direct role in patient outcomes.  Portals provide a secure platform for sending important messages directly to patients and monitoring their compliance at the clinic and outside of it. The downstream effects are increased efficiency and productivity, reduction in administrative overhead costs and improved patient outcomes.  These applications also allow therapists to expand their practices’ reach by providing innovative solutions for patients that are geographically inaccessible.

So, you may well ask: is now really the time to integrate this type of technology in my practice?  In a recent survey conducted by Intuit Health, 73% of respondents said that they would use an online communication application to pay medical bills, communicate with their physician or physician office, make appointments and view lab results (1).  More than 40% said they would consider switching physicians in order to obtain such access.  Research such as this makes it clear that patients are eager to adopt such applications and now is the time for providers to get on board.

The use of portal technology is inevitable as patients take control of their health and demand two-way communication platforms from their providers. As we innovate around ways to increase the quality of care provided to patients, the integration of secure portals should become a mainstay for effective clinical practice.  

Resources

1.  Shinkman, R. 2011. Americans want more online access to physicians, FierceHealthIT, http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/americans-want-more-online-access-physicians/2011-03-07.

2.  Terry, K. 2011. Patient portal use becoming an inevitability, ForceHealthIT, http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/patient-portal-use-becoming-inevitability/2011-04-23.

This guest post was co‐authored by Bronwyn Spira, P.T., President of Force Therapeutics and Mark Anthony Fields, Ph.D., M.P.H, Digital Media Associate of Force Therapeutics. Force Therapeutics is an online suite of solutions tailored for the busy physical therapist.  Force Therapeutics can be found at www.forcetherapeutics.com, www.facebook.com/forcetherapeutics, or www.twitter.com/ForceTherEx.

 

The Dawn of the “Super Mobile” Clinician

There seems to be no doubt that the adoption of technology into clinical settings has the potential to make a clinic more efficient and improve the quality of care.  Healthcare professionals use technology to enhance clinical decision making, to retrieve health information and to monitor patient outcomes.  Wider adoption of such tools will inevitably transform the health care process and begin to repair a broken and fragmented health system.

The introduction of smartphones and tablet computers has been an important catalyst of innovation. Products like the iPhone and iPad have literally reinvented the way we communicate and manage our daily lives.  From corporations to local businesses, use of these devices has revolutionized the way industries communicate with themselves and, ultimately, their customers.

What about healthcare?  Are clinical settings adopting smartphones and tablet computers to make their practices better and improve experiences for their patients?  Are physicians buying into this new wave of technology?  We assume doctors are technophobic and seldom use these devices.  

Well, think again.  A new generation of physicians are embracing mobile technology and incorporating smartphones and tablets into their practices at an accelerating pace.  A recent survey by the physician training site Quantia Communications revealed that physicians are adopting both the use of smartphones and tablets in their practices at a very high rate and this rate of adoption actually transcends years of practice (1).  The study defines these doctors as “Super Mobile” physicians or those who use both smartphones and tablet devices to enhance their clinical practice.  Interestingly, 25% of physicians who responded to the survey say that they use both smartphones and tablet devices for their work.  They are using these devices to access decision-making tools, learn about new treatments, look up reference material, and handle patient information.  Moreover, 80% of physicians who responded to the survey say that they own a mobile device capable of downloading applications to help them in their clinical practices.  The study also points out that 44% of physicians who do not currently have a mobile device with these capabilities plan to purchase one by the end of 2011. 

Of note: the study reveals that the use of tablets and interest in using them in the future is not affected by years of practice.  This suggests that regardless of age, physicians are interested in integrating this technology to support their activities.  Growing physician interest in tablets indicates that technology such as this will soon command the market and is here to stay.  This is getting the attention of healthcare institutions as they begin to address strategies of how to most effectively integrate these devices into clinical settings.

Physicians are becoming more tech savvy.  There is no sector that stands to gain more from this than physical therapy.  The physical therapy space serves as an ideal testing ground because of the ongoing therapist-to-patient interaction and need to manage patient progression and outcomes.  Treating patients in the clinic is only the start for the physical therapist.  The need to engage the patient off site is critical to a successful recovery.  The use of smartphones and tablet devices to aid in this environment serves as a fantastic opportunity.  In the midst of industry growth, an aging population and mounting pressure from insurance companies to reduce recovery times, physical therapist are in need of innovative ways to make their practices more efficient.  Mobile based, smart technology is a great solution.

Resources

 1.     Modahl, M. 2011. Tablets Set to Change Medical Practice. Quantia Communications, Inc. http://www.quantiamd.com/q-qcp/QuantiaMD_Research_TabletsSetToChangeMedicalPractice.pdf

This guest post was co-authored by Bronwyn Spira, P.T., President of Force Therapeutics and Mark Anthony Fields, Ph.D., M.P.H.   Force Therapeutics can be found at www.forcetherapeutics.com, www.facebook.com/forcetherapeutics, or www.twitter.com/ForceTherEx.

 

EIM and FOTO Meet and Greet at CSM!

You're invited!  Evidence In Motion and Focus On Therapeutic Outcomes are hosting a meet and greet at the  APTA Combined Sections Meeting in February 2011.  

 

Please join us in the Magnolia Room at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in News Orleans on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 7:30pm for light appetizers, drinks & mingling. 

 Rob Wainner, Tim Flynn, Larry Benz, and George Burkley from EIM and Al Amato and Judy Holder from FOTO will be in attendance to answer questions you have about EIM and FOTO offerings.

Questions?  Email Brooke@physicaltherapist.com

Special thanks to the reception co-sponsor, Focus On Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO)!   

FOTO is an outcomes data collection and reporting service that provides risk-adjusted, nationally benchmarked measures of treatment effectiveness, treatment efficiency, and patient satisfaction.  FOTO’s Functional Status Measures are also included in the Physician Quality Reporting System and FOTO is an approved Data Registry for that program.  FOTO is proud to partner with Evidence in Motion to provide functional outcomes for its Residency and Fellowship programs.  

Note: EIM will be recognizing all Residency, Fellowship & Executive Program 2010 graduates and faculty from 6:30-7:30.  Email Brooke@physicaltherapist.com for more details about this portion of the event.

PRIVATE PRACTICE SECTION 2010!



WOW, hear what the Executive Program 2009 graduates have to say about the program’s ROI following graduation…

“I have always felt like I should get my tDPT but I just could not justify the time out of the office for any curriculum I found.  Then I found the Executive Program.  This program is actually an investment.  I have made much more income from the knowledge gained than I spent on time, effort and money on the course.   I grew from 5 locations to 8 last year and realized a 12% increase in my profit margin.  In my opinion, if you are serious about your business then you HAVE to do this program.  Oh yeah, it is also a blast!” -Brett Tice, DPT, CEO/President, Back To Action, Harlingen, TX

 “We are doing great this year.  We have almost doubled our visits since this time last year and have hired two full time therapists.  I continue to be a huge supporter of the Program.  Please let me know if there is ever anyway I can help out further.” -Patti Rouleau, DPT, President, Orthopedic Physical Therapy Associates, Lakeland, FL

 “PTC is looking forward to the EIM Residency/Fellowship, we are opening another clinic and are due to hire three more PTs.  All is going very well and the EIM Executive Program has set the direction of the path we are headed.  It continues to drive and guide our course.” -Bridgit Finley, DPT, President, Physical Therapy Central, Norman, OK

EIM's Executive Program in Private Practice Management teaches private practice PT owners strategies and provides tools that build competitive advantages.  Courses are taught by faculty with real private practice experience, are affordable and flexible, and will build your long-term private practice community.  Email Marilyn@eimpt.com for more information about this program.  

Stop by the EIM booth - #406- at the Private Practice Section Meeting in DC from Nov. 3-6, 2010 to meet Marilyn Doerr, George Burkley, and Larry Benz and learn more about the Executive Program in Private Practice Management.  

Calling all Texas Private Practice PTs!

If you’re not aware, EIM launched its Executive Program in Private Practice Management (EPPM) in Jan 2009. Until now, intensive, comprehensive practice management training in PT has been virtually absent (think residency training for practice managers/owners). Approximately 20 private practice PTs completed the program in Dec 2009 and another 55 individuals are slated to graduate in Dec 2010. A group of 32 physical therapists, mostly from California, started their own cohort this month. There is also an additional tDPT track, which has been a very attractive option for those who have not completed their tDPT. One of the key features is that the program is designed for busy owner/managers. There is no busy work or traditional academic approach. All assignments are designed to directly impact your practice.

Suffice it to say the program has been a resounding success. In addition to the intensive learning in the areas of strategy, leadership, finance, human resources, etc., one of the major benefits has been connecting private practice managers and owners with each other to facilitate an informal network of consultants available to help you improve and grow your practice.  This program will give you the tools to build a private practice competitive advantage strategy and will enhance your long-term private practice community. 

To help facilitate the networking of private practice PTs in Texas, we are forming an EPPM cohort comprised exclusively of Texas private practice PTs. Given the scale of private practice in Texas, there is no reason we can’t have 30-50 participants in a group that would closely knit us together and encourage our collaboration. In forming the groups, we work closely to insure that groups are formed based on individual strengths and that participants are in non-competitive situations.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a founder and owner in Evidence in Motion. However, I have no interests here other than to facilitate collaboration among private practice PTs and grow our caliber collectively in the areas of practice management and business. You can get more informations on EIM’s website: http://evidenceinmotion.com/ExecutiveManagementBrochure.pdf

This cohort could be open to participants in other states as well, so feel free to let us know if you’re interested or would like more information, even if you don’t live in Texas. If you are interested, please feel free to simply respond to me individually via email at john@eimpt.com.

EIM Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program!!

EIM and Sports Medicine: The EIM Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program

EIM is excited to introduce its new Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program(SPTR)!  Dr. Teresa Schuemann has joined the EIM team as the SPTR content developer and director.  She is an experienced Program Director who has been Chair of the APTA Residency and Fellowship Credentialing Committee and now serves as one of seven members on the APTA American Board of Residency and Fellowship Education. 

“Going through a residency program was the best decision of my professional career”, states Dr. Teresa Schumann, SPTR director.  “I am thrilled to provide such and experience for other Physical Therapy clinicians.”

The SPTR is an 18-month program of post-professional clinical and didactic education for physical therapists designed to advance the physical therapist resident's preparation as a provider of client care services in sports physical therapy.  The SPTR incorporates key Orthopaedic Residency topics, such as Evidence-based Practice and Upper and Lower Extremity, with Sports specific courses, such as Emergency Response and SCS Prep.  The SPTR also requires Athletic Venue Hours in addition to Mentor Hours and Out Come Tracking. 

EIM’s SPTR is designed so that graduates will become highly skilled, autonomous practitioners who have substantially increased their ability to provide care to a full spectrum of clients with athletic injuries.  Sports Residents will gain a strong base of knowledge of evidence-based practice and preventative and rehabilitative sports therapy techniques.  Graduates will also be positioned to both achieve the Sports Certified Specialist (SCS) certification from the ABPTS and to be leaders in the sports physical therapy field.

The first cohort begins in June 2010 and the application deadline is May 1, 2010. 

Click here for additional details, SPTR FAQ’s, and the SPTR Fact Sheet.

Sen. Cornyn to Highlight Benefits of Prevention & Workplace Wellness at San Antonio's Frito-Lay Facility

AUSTIN—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, will be in San Antonio Thursday, January 14, to visit the Frito-Lay Food Manufacturing Facility and see how local company Fit For Work LLC is helping Frito-Lay employees prevent work-related injuries and lower health care costs. Studies show an emphasis on workplace wellness leads to a healthier and more productive workforce, along with savings on health costs. Sen. Cornyn will be briefed and have the opportunity to see a training demonstration in which Fit For Work staff will train Frito-Lay employees how to carry out their responsibilities at work in a way that promotes wellness and prevents injury.

Sen. Cornyn believes a focus on prevention and wellness must be central to broader health care reform efforts in Washington. He has introduced two bills that promote the concept of workplace wellness and disease prevention: the WHIP Act and the Healthy Workforce Act. The Workforce Health Improvement Program Act, or the WHIP Act, is a bipartisan measure that would level the playing field for small businesses that cannot afford to provide an on-site fitness facility for their employees. Specifically, it would allow employees to exclude from their federal taxes up to $900 of any off-site wellness benefit they receive from their employer.

In the same vein, the Healthy Workforce Act would provide a tax credit to companies that offer effective and comprehensive wellness programs for their employees.

• WHAT: Sen. Cornyn To Highlight Benefits Of Prevention & Workplace Wellness At San Antonio’s Frito-Lay Facility  
• WHEN: Thursday, January 14: 2:50 p.m. – briefing and demonstration & 3:30 p.m. – media availability
• WHERE: Frito-Lay Food Manufacturing Facility, 4855 Greatland Dr., San Antonio, TX  78218

Background on Fit For Work:

Fit For Work is a San Antonio-based company that is hired by labor-intensive businesses to provide their employees with injury prevention techniques. Fit For Work’s techniques include training, ergonomics, and identifying musculoskeletal disorders through on-site clinical diagnostics. Since Fit For Work implemented its program at the San Antonio Frito-Lay facility in 1998, Frito-Lay has seen an 86% reduction in injury frequency and has not experienced an ergo-related injury in the last 7 years. Frito-Lay estimates it has saved millions of dollars as a result of these preventive measures.

Physical Therapists and Contracts

Our family's traditional stocking stuffer extravaganza took place last week.  For those of you unfamiliar, this event is highlighted by driving for 10 minutes to find the last parking space at the mall, entering the mall and hearing Christmas music, negotiating the dollar limit for the stuffed stocking while eating the grease at the food court, determining the time limit to accomplish the feat, and of course, exchanging last minute wishes between our kids.  This tradition is for our kids and they are solely responsible for each others' stockings.

As our daughter and I embarked on our mission, we came upon this sign.  It made me pause and think.  This sign could be the future of physical therapists.  Really... John and Larry have shared (multiple times throughout the years) the contracts coming down the pipes.  If physical therapist business owners continue down the path of making life easy for referral sources by participating with all third party arrangements and accepting contracts that pay poorly because something is better than nothing, the one change that just might have to happen is reflected in this sign. 

How many physical therapists do you know that love their career so much they they would be willing to be paid $24.99/month? 

~Selena

Halloween and the Bundling Flaw

Larry gave me the most excellent idea.  Bundling the Cost of Care got me thinking about the future.

Last night was my initiation as a physical therapist gone negotiator!  I was 100% successful in acquiring THE largest pieces of chocolate candy (or whatever choice I wanted) out of the bucket!  In some cases, the whole bucket of candy was just handed to me!  (I was polite every time and smiled and said, "thank you.")

I am so ready to be at the service of any physical therapist that has to negotiate with some large hospital system for the payment of physical therapy services provided by an independent physical therapist.  Trust me, as your negotiator, I know how to walk quietly and carry a big stick.  Your company will survive this change; you and your family will survive this change.  I know you have to put food on the table and eat.  Call me and make my day... I am so ready to negotiate for you!

Physical therapists in independent practice really can't negotiate AND treat patients.  Consumers really should have quick access to physical therapists no matter where they practice; consumers should have the freedom to choose their physical therapist.  Seriously now... Larry didn't get any responses.  My humor won't solve the issue.  Really though, will the next growing field in the future be physical therapist gone negotiator? 

photo by dunechaser via Flick

~Selena