therapy Archives - Page 4 of 9

Self-Care Tips for the Back-to-School Therapist

Take a look at a few helpful self-care tips for the busy school-based therapist. Because you can’t take care of others, if you don’t take care of yourself, first.

It’s that time again—with some schools across the country already back in session, and others headed back any day now, school-based therapists are likely feeling excited or overwhelmed, or some form of both. While you, as a well-educated therapy professional, are well versed in self-care, coping skills, and stress management in relation to your patients, you must remember to take care of yourself, as well. Here are some tips to make sure you stay centered, while the 2018-2019 schoolyear kicks into high gear.

Schedule Buffers into Your Day
A lot of being a school-based therapist revolves around structure and scheduling, but if you schedule things back-to-back-to-back, you’re bound to run yourself into the ground, and things will rarely go exactly as planned, anyhow. A session may run over time, or you may find yourself trapped in a conversation with a parent or coworker for far longer than you meant to. Leave yourself time to breathe—or run to the bathroom—between sessions, and you’ll be much better off.

Check in with Yourself
At the end of your day, check in with yourself in the form of some cognitive behavioral therapy, such as journaling. Research has shown that focusing on positive aspects of your day, and writing them down, can be greatly beneficial. Try making a list of three to five positive things that happened during your day, or that you and/or your students accomplished, before going to bed at night.

Unplug after Hours
It’s easy to get invested in your work. After all, you didn’t get into therapy because you don’t care. However, in caring for yourself, too, you need to leave work at work. Establish and maintain boundaries to keep yourself from burning out. Instead, fill your off hours with healthy hobbies or activities, such as gardening, cooking, or yoga, or even just treat yourself to a nice, long bath every now and then.

Remember, caring for yourself enables you to better care for others, so as the school year picks up speed and you find yourself busier and busier, step back, breathe, and get some rest. Everything is going to be okay.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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Writing Children’s Books: How and Why to Give it a Try

PTs and other therapy professionals have a specialized skillset, such as heaps of empathy and an intimate understanding of disability, making them prime candidates to pen children’s books.

from The Non-Clinical PT

Maybe you’re burned out on patient care. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how your PT education and practice can help you forge a new path. You’re trying to think practically, of course—after all, your family, friends, and colleagues would think you were bonkers to make a total 180 at this stage of the game. Maybe it’s too late to try something totally new anyway…right? Wrong! Here are just a few reasons why PTs can become great kidlit writers.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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Debt and the DPT: What Went Wrong?

The majority of PT students will have more than $70K in student loan debt at the time of graduation, making some therapists question whether elevating PT education requirements was the right move.

from Evidence in Motion

Last month, my team and I released the results of our second annual State of Rehab Therapy industry survey, and while some of our findings aligned with expectations, there were several data points that left us pondering—and worrying about—potential implications for the profession as a whole. One such finding: The astounding levels of debt reported by DPT students. According our survey results, the majority of PT students (more than half) will have more than $70,000 in student loan debt at the time of graduation, and over one-third will owe more than $100,000.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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Trying Physical Therapy First For Low Back Pain May Curb Use Of Opioids

A study published in the journal Health Services Research suggests trying physical therapy first may may cost patients less in the long run, as well as curb reliance on opioids.

from NPR

Though Americans spend an estimated $80 billion to $100 billion each year in hopes of easing their aching backs, the evidence is mounting that many pricey standard treatments — including surgery and spinal injections — are often ineffective and can even worsen and prolong the problem.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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How Therapy Providers Can Start Preparing for RCS-1

RCS-1 is a complete rewrite of therapy reimbursement rules, and will require therapy providers to make significant operational changes in order to maintain healthy businesses.

from McKnight’s

While the RCS-1 language is still in draft form as a notice of proposed rulemaking, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has indicated that it plans to implement this new classification system as early as October 2018. Among therapy providers, there has been much discussion of the challenges that would arise if CMS made the rule effective in 2018, but CMS has not indicated that it plans any delay in the rule.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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6 Benefits of Running a Home-Visit Therapy Practice

There are numerous benefits to not being a brick-and-mortar clinic and providing house calls. Here’s a small sample of them.

from WebPT

What if I told you there’s a physical therapy practice model that requires minimal investment, has a low operating cost, and is practically burnout-proof? What if I added that this model provides a steady flow of new clients and is well poised to meet the rehab needs of the Baby Boomer generation? It would almost be too good to be true, right? Well, it’s real.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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Read Your Patients’ Minds

Creating a patient journey map can be one way to put yourself in your patient’s minds in order to create a better patient experience.

from Evidence in Motion

There are times when I think it would be helpful to know what my patients are thinking and feeling. I do my best to motivate interested prospects to make an appointment or patients to implement their plan of care. Too often I just don’t seem to connect with them and wonder what they’re thinking.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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Back for the Attack

The right technology in the PT gym can help successfully prepare clients of all kinds to get back to their regular lives safely.

from Physical Therapy Products

Rehab can seem like a battle of attrition for clients who may feel the need to summon equal parts of tenacity, focus, and faith in their physical therapist to push through a months-long program. Along that continuum clients are likely to spend time on some of the workhorse technologies of the PT gym. One such well-known technology is the treadmill. Mention that universal piece of workout and rehab equipment, and watch eyes roll at the thought of dull sessions made tolerable only by tunes and TV reruns. Treadmill technologies have been updated, however, to offer exceptional versatility and provide activity sessions that leverage modern design features. Among those features are self-powered capabilities, a weighted sled, resistance parachute, and harness system all in one space-efficient package.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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Treating Pain: It is Much More Than “This” vs. “That”

Persistent pain is complex and it is very unlikely that one magic bullet treatment is going to be the sole key to successful outcomes.

from Evidence in Motion

Trying to follow the evidence to determine the best intervention for your patients can be a challenge, especially when it comes to persistent pain. It can be a challenge when you read well-done reviews that seem to have slightly opposite conclusions.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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Use Built-in Apps to Support Life Skills

Encourage clients to use apps already available on their mobile devices for assistance with job and vocational demands.

from ASHA Leader

Clients’ mobile devices can scaffold a number of important life skills related to maintaining a job, including setting an alarm and managing a sleep schedule through the device clock and associated alerts. Though our young students often know how to download apps and play games, it’s important to assess how well they can use these features and to provide practice and training where they need it.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

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