Here are seven takeaways:
1. Matsushita Orthopedic asked to tour Advanced Physicians, which sees 50 patients each day, to learn about how the clinic operates efficiently. Matsushita Orthopedic typically sees 230 patients each day because only 20 minutes of physical therapy treatment is reimbursable.
2. Yasushi Matsushita, MD, and Sayaka Mori traveled to Crest Hill to learn about the practice. Ms. Mori studied physical therapy assistance at Morton College in Cicero, and has experience with Advanced Physicians as she did her clinical rotations with the practice while attending Morton College.
3. Dr. Matsushita wanted to observe Advanced Physician’s multidisciplinary approach to outpatient orthopedic to learn how to enhance patient outcomes and advance his skills.
4. Although the practices have similar physical spaces, the staffing varies for the practices. Matsushita Orthopedics has seven physician therapists, two athletic trainers, four technicians in addition to three to four nurses. Advanced Physicians has a physician, a physical therapist, two physical therapist assistants, one to three technicians and a chiropractor. The practice also has directors for operations and marketing.
5. At Matsushita Orthopedics, the practice only schedules nearly half of its appointments and most patients see different physical therapists. This type of system has its disadvantages as Ms. Mori said, “Everyone (does) physical therapy a different way.”
6. Additionally, the way therapy is determined varies for the practices. At Crest Hill, the patient’s physician writes the order for physical therapy, and the physical therapist can request more or less therapy based on the patient’s response and needs. At Matsushita Orthopedics, the physician has complete control over the treatment and must always be on-site during physical therapy.
7. In Japan, a physician must reevaluate each patient every two to three weeks before a patient can receive more therapy.
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