If you are like most people, your wellness team is scattered all over town. Your primary care doctor, orthopedist, and physical therapist probably don’t share a building, let alone a zip code. Coordinating visits, referrals, records transfers and testing can be exhaustive and usually results in losing another precious vacation day. Plus, if there is an issue, it may take weeks to revolve, either between the doctors’ offices or with the insurance provider. While life never ceases to be hectic, one way you can reduce some of the madness is by working with a physical therapist who is co-located onsite with your orthopedist. This convenient arrangement allows patients to visit their doctor and have physical therapy at the same facility, often with back-to-back appointments. Here are some benefits of having on-site physical therapy.
Convenience
On-site physical therapy eliminates travel time, parking cost and coordination between doctor’s offices to transfer records, share insurance data and make payment. Imagine making appointments with your orthopedist and physical therapist on the same day, working with the same schedule! For too many of us, that sounds too good to be true!
Better Communication between Doctor and Physical Therapist
Having an on-site physical therapist can improve communications between your entire care team. Your doctor who recommended physical therapy already has an in-depth understanding of your medical history and conditions; your physical therapist is part of your wellness team and is a trusted colleague of your orthopedist. It’s a win-win! The team takes a holistic approach to devise a treatment plan that works for you. Plus being co-located ensures that any questions or concerns are answered on the spot.
Faster Transfer of Information
Having your doctor and physical therapist co-located makes the transfer of important and often sensitive information a faster and smoother process. Your doctor will have access to your physical therapist’s notes and information on your progress. This can help your doctor adjust medications or other treatment plans more effectively and efficiently. The better the communication between the doctor and physical therapist, the more effective your treatment plan will be.
The Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches has a wealth of knowledge and experience in general orthopedics, sports medicine, total joint replacements, and more. Personalized Orthopedics also offers many on-site services for patient convenience – including physical therapy, If you are suffering from an orthopedic issue, call 561-733-5888 today to make an appointment with one of our experts.
