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PHOENIX, AZ – Sometimes concierge in home physical therapy can be hit or miss. It’s a low barrier to entry, and a therapist doesn’t necessarily have to be very skilled to make a business out of coming to people’s homes and making them feel good. I’ll share 3 tips about my local market for concierge in home physical therapy – Phoenix, AZ – that will help you determine what level of care you are paying for.

Ask About Experience

In Phoenix at least, we don’t have a long and storied history of PT schools. We actually have one of the lowest ratios of graduates per resident in the country. This means that just by sheer supply and demand you can likely build a business as an in home or concierge physical therapist. As a potential patient, you want to make sure you shop around and ask about how long the particular provider has been practicing. Ask about their experience level with your condition, or if there are similar patients they could produce a testimonial from.

Credentials are also important. Anything with a -CS after it means the therapist has gone above and beyond to get board certified. They can also only get this certification after practicing for 3 years or doing a residency. Some older physical therapists may not keep this credential up however. This is mostly because after 10 years, it’s not nearly as rigorous to maintain, and by that point you should have a good reputation.

Professionalism Matters In Concierge In-Home Physical Therapy

When you discuss your case with the therapist, they may sound great! But watch to see if they send the follow up email on time, or if they are able and willing to find a good fit in their schedule for you. Also don’t be surprised if they refer you to another therapist. With all of the driving involved in home therapy, they may just not be able to manage your case. There also may be another provider who is more skilled with your particular condition who can see you.

Red flags for professionalism early in the process are typically a harbinger of things to come. How will they handle a schedule change? What if you need documentation for something? Are they comfortable communicating with your physician? These are all things that early professionalism red flags don’t bode well for down the road.

Don’t Be Afraid To Change After The First Few Appointments

You will be spending hours per week with this person, for weeks on end. If you don’t click well on the first appointment, be willing to make a change. A good in home physical therapy provider will be up-front about costs, and how long they think it will take to fix your problem. They will also have all of the other personable traits that you expect out of a good physical therapist or any other healthcare provider.

You don’t want to spend $1000 after 5 visits and think about your sunk cost. I always give someone a “bad day” pass. If it’s a pattern afterward then I recommend patients make the switch early. A physical therapist is a trusted professional you will spend significant time with. It takes time to build that trust and you want to build it with the right person.

Conclusion

The Phoenix market is growing and has white-hot demand for physical therapists, but there are only so many good ones. Do your homework, know the market, and don’t be afraid to change if you don’t jive well with the provider. Remember that you still need physical therapy, but maybe need a different provider. It breaks my heart when a patient doesn’t get appropriate care because they just didn’t have the right physical therapist. I am writing this on my blog because I tell my patients this too. There are only so many personality types in the world, and mine may not jive with yours. I’d much rather you make the switch than live in pain. Some of my closest colleagues are polar opposites of me, and they are my first call if I feel a patient and I don’t click. It should never be taken personally by the physical therapist. We can’t be the best fit for everyone.

If you would like to set up an in home physical therapy appointment with me, click here

 

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