get your injured workers back to work faster with 10 questions to ask about your physical therapy...

Top 10 Questions You Should Ask About

Physical TherapyTreatment Programs

SPECIAL REPORT

We appreciate how stressful managing worker’s compensation (WC) injuries can be for an organization. Although concerned for your worker, you're also worried about how his injuries will impact your ability to serve your clientele.

Here are 10 vital questions to ask throughout the

physical therapy treatment plan. This information can give

you greater control and reduce the

chances of re-injury to your workers.

Top 10 Questions You should AskAbout Physical Therapy Treatment Programs

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How quickly can my injured worker get

into the appropriate treatment program?

Question #1

The faster your employee starts treatment, the better. Unfortunately, it can take days, or even weeks, for an employee to see a physical therapist for an injury.




How are my injured workers’ visits

scheduled?

Question #2

It generally falls to the injured employee to set appointments. Those appointments can disrupt your work capacity, especially if the employee is absent for long periods of time during a work shift.

The treatment appointments can also be very spread out -making your employee’s full recovery take longer.

It’s more cost-effective if you actively manage your employees’ treatment and are involved in scheduling.




Who manages the case?

Question #3

Knowing whom you can call to check in on your employee’s progress can be useful.

You’ll be able to plan around her return to work. If the employee is on light duty you can estimate and provide performance feedback. Lastly, you can point out areas of concern about her job that might impact her treatment.




How can I keep track of outcomes?

Question #4

You should know what a healed employee looks likeand understand the process of his injury and recovery.

This will allow you to see when he is better and check for the possibility of a re-injury. You might also spot signs of future injuries when observing other employees performing tasks.

If you can take note of these signs, you can help prevent future injuries from happening. Your provider should have a process in place to keep you informed.




Can I choose where my employees receive

treatment?

Question #5

Most of the time the answer is no. If you have a say, spend the time required and find the most effective physical therapist.

The most cost-effective option also happens to be the most beneficial for healing — physical therapy delivered at the work site.

Otherwise, your employee may need to leave for an appointment during work hours for hours at a time.




Do I know the physical therapist my worker is

seeing?

Question #6

If you know who is treating your employee you can run a background check. Make sure she is a reputable and licensed professional. Knowing the physical therapist personally makes it easy for you to hold her accountable for the treatment she provides.




Is the physical therapist a specialist

or a generalist?

Question #7

Check the credentials of the assigned physical therapist. Find out if the therapist is an “expert” at treating worker’s comp injuries or just a generalist.

After all, you don’t go to a general practitioner when you need heart surgery. It doesn’t make sense for your employees to be treated by a generalist when their injury is specific to their workplace.




Question #8

Do I know how long my injured worker will be away from work or on

light duty?

This is a discussion for you to have with the therapist. Between the two of you, decide on the function needed for light duty. Define what the light duty is, so that the injury isn't exacerbated. Determine a timetable for when he can start light duty and what that requires. Don't forget to detail the plan for when he'll be able to return to work at full strength.




Does the physical therapist understand my injured workers’ job requirements?

Question #9

Most jobs have specialty movements unique to each industry. These are repeated motions or positions required to perform the same tasks on a regular basis, e.g. flipping a mattress, carrying heavy trays, or loading and pushing heavy carts.

Such tasks put specific strains on the body. The therapist should understand these movements and adjust treatment according to each worker’s capacity.




How many therapy visits should I expect

to pay for?

Question #10

Some clinics and patients continue therapy longer than needed. It’s smart to set clear goals for the treatment. This includes an anticipated timeline for recovery.

It’s not just about saving money. It's also about the worker feeling confident, and getting closure, from a clean bill of health.




The Right Knowledge Puts You Back in Control

We have a good idea of what you’re probably thinking. "There’s no way my TPA or physical therapy provider will give me this information. Or work with me like this." You might be right. But until you ask, how will you know for sure? If they don't — maybe it’s time to consider an alternative.

There are 12 more questions that can help you evaluate and improve your current physical therapy treatment programs available here.


Yes! I want the rest of the questions.

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get your injured workers back to work faster with 10 questions to ask about your physical therapy...

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