Great Physical Therapists: what qualities should you be looking for?
Physical therapy should differ per patient, based on their needs and background (such as age, current health, previous injuries/surgeries, goals, etc). In today’s society, the right experience and education alone doesn’t necessarily make a person great at a particular job. Different personalities thrive at different jobs, and it’s passion that truly helps professionals stand out from the rest. So what personality traits show in a physical therapist passionate about their job?
When looking to hire a physical therapist you should make sure they’re a great listener, experienced and caring.
In order to custom tailor each program, physical therapists should have an in depth capability of listening. Listening will help a compassionate physical therapist make sure the client is receiving what they need and will also give them a better ability to tweak the program as the plan of care progresses . A qualified physical therapist will know the right questions to ask in order to elicit the information they need. As noted above, experience alone doesn’t make a great physical therapist. However, it is important if you’re in search of a physical therapist that they should have the training, knowledge and capability to answer your questions in a concise and comprehensible manner. Lastly, a physical therapist worth hiring will be caring. The goal of physical therapy is simple: to make patients feel better and return to doing the things they love. Your physical therapist should be compassionate and understanding regarding your feelings, capabilities and care enough to push you to achieve your goals.
A physical therapist that truly cares about their patients will go the extra mile. When looking for a physical therapist take a couple steps in order to make sure they are right for you. Make sure that you research various companies, talk to several different therapists and compare client reviews. Lastly, make sure you go with your gut and pick the person you feel that natural connection with. Your physical therapist will be your coach on a journey to better health. Therefore, it’s incredibly important you choose the right one that’s ready to work with you. This means listening to you, caring for you and using their experience to help you achieve your goals.