How engaged are you in the physical therapy profession?
Most people get into the physical therapy profession because they truly love helping people get better and back to their active lifestyles. Our kind of people have compassion and care for what we do. I have yet to meet a physical therapist that doesn’t care about the success of their patients. I’m sure they’re out there; like any profession I suppose there are people that are in it for the wrong reasons. But luckily for me, I haven’t stumbled across these folks yet.
I became a member of our professional association the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) when I was a student in PT school in 2004. I’ve remained a member throughout my professional career, but really for no reason other than having access to the research articles. And even though I became a physical therapy private practice owner in 2009, I found no reason to join the Private Practice section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Maybe it’s because I didn’t know anyone first hand that was a member? And maybe it’s because I didn’t know what I would really get out of being a member? But fortunately I finally stumbled upon joining and have absolutely loved what I’ve been exposed to so far!
As a physical therapist I have a very strong sense of wanting to contribute to our community of professionals. I’ve been around long enough in private practice to see some crazy stuff happen amongst PT’s. I think it’s time that we all join forces for the overall cause of moving our profession ahead to the benefit of our patients!!! Whether you’re a cash-only practice, all insurance based, in New York or in Florida, in-network or out…we all have the same mission.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Be a member of the APTA, at a minimum.
2. Be a member of PPS.
3. Meet and communicate often with your PT competitors. Look. We’re all here for the same reason. And there are plenty of patient’s to go around. Let’s join forces and fight the insurance companies together; that’s how we’ll make more of an impact.
4. Go to physical therapy conferences. Not only to learn new skills, but to build relationships with other PT owners.
5. Be informed. Even if you are not a Medicare provider. It is crucial to our profession’s growth that we are all on the same page.
