What is Outcomes-Based Care and is it For Me?

Author: Dr. Blair Green PT, DPT, OCS, PHC

Raise your hand if you can relate to this: you sustained an injury, saw the doctor and were sent to physical therapy. The prescription read “2x a week for 6 weeks” so you showed up for 12 visits. At the end, you maybe felt better, but you weren’t sure what came next, or even how to prevent another injury. Could you even call the PT? Or would you have to go back to the doctor for more? And all those exercises? You’d rather burn your theraband than do one more rep!

Historically, this is how many people receive physical therapy. A system that has been passed down for generations, even though the education and skill set of physical therapists has grown and evolved.

Now, imagine this: you have an injury or difficulty participating fully in all the physical activities you desire. You call the physical therapist because she is equipped to handle musculoskeletal care. She rules out any red flags and together you create a plan to help you return to a life you love. Or even better - she helps you level up in your physical health and capabilities so that you are doing more than you ever thought possible. As your treatment plan nears its end, she works with you to develop a long-term plan of care, that may or may not include maintenance PT visits. 

This is what we refer to as patient-centered, outcomes-based care. Begin with the end in mind. Where do you want to go and how can we get you there, together, as a team. This is a complete energy shift, as the patient now becomes an active participant in her care and the physical therapist is simply driving the bus, making sure she can get from point A to B in a timely manner, steering away from obstacles, and helping her stay the course. 

While this type of care is not for everyone, there are clear benefits, including a customized treatment plan that moves the patient from becoming more aware of the issue to learning how to move forward with physical activity. Timelines are clear, and together the PT and the patient can create meaningful goals. The patient and the provider develop a relationship that lasts well beyond the short period of rehabilitation, and it becomes easier to return to therapy should the same or another issue arise. 

Switching to this model of care at Catalyst made sense; our practice was designed to be a place that women can call home, where they can feel comfortable returning no matter what the issue. Our staff is invested in each and every person that walks through the doors and it is our mission to help women discover that they are strong, confident and capable. Utilizing a patient-centered, outcomes-based approach helps each person invest in themselves in a unique, individualized manner.

If this sounds like something you would like to invest in, let us know! Comment in the space below or reach out through our info form. We’d love to help you create a customized plan that will help you thrive!