Orthopedists: Considering Adding PT? - Consider This!

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This

article<http://www.beckersorthopedicandspine.com/orthopedic-spine-practices-impr\

oving-profits/3101-5%20Points%20to%20Consider%20Before%20Adding%20Physical%20The\

rapy%20to%20an%20Orthopedic%20Practice>at

Becker's Orthopedic and Spine Review gives 5 considerations for

orthopedic surgeons contemplating adding " physical therapy " to their

practice.

I have some suggestions and consideration of my own:

- 1. Check your ethics. Are you doing this because you thnk you

want/need more money or because you think you can do it better than a real

Physical Therapist. . Check your ethics again.

- 2. You can't do it better than a good Physical Therapist in Private

Practice because YOU ARE NOT A PHYSICAL THERAPIST.

- 3. Consider this: patients are not chits to be exchanged for revenue.

You have a responsibility to act in the Patient's best interest not your own

self interest. You have a professional responsibility to avoid preventable

conflicts of interest - Avoid this one.

- 4. Physical Therapy is not a commodity to be bought and sold on the

open market. Patients DO NOT go to " physical therapy " any more than they go

to " orthopedics " . Physical Therapy is NOT a generic commodity any more than

Orthopedic Surgery is. Patients go see a Physical Therapist - a highly

trained specialist who has an entirely unique body of knowledge and skills.

- 5. See #2 and pay attention. YOU ARE NOT A PHYSICAL THERAPIST -- Do

what you do well as a physician and surgeon and we will do what we do well

as Physical Therapists.

Thank you for your consideration.

Now go off and do massive amounts of unnecessary imaging and harmful back

surgery.

Kovacek, PT, DPT, MSA

PKovacek@...

Cell (313) 492-4293

Personal Fax

www.PTManager.com