Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Strategies for New Physiotherapists
Are you a physio who has newly entered the world of private practice? No matter whether you have just graduated from uni, or have worked in a hospital setting for a few years - navigating setting yourself up in a private practice poses similar challenges.
The rewards of private practice can be vast, including seeing your patients progress to their goals, but many physios find the challenges mount and burn out can be real, debilitating and in the worst case scenario, catastrophic to a career.
Below are a few common struggles and some practical tips that I have learnt that might just help you.
Building Confidence in Clinical Skills:
Struggle: Gaining confidence in applying theoretical knowledge to real patients.
This is something that gets easier the more you do it. Finding a good mentor, surrounding yourself with experienced colleagues, CPD courses and self reflective activities can all be things that can turn this challenge from a road block to a journey of continual healthy improvement.
Managing Time Effectively:
Struggle: Balancing administrative duties, patient caseloads, and ongoing learning.
Conflicting demands of being thorough AND fast can seem like a lot of juggling. Setting up organisational systems for yourself and utilising the ones made available by your workplace can be a good start. Prioritise your tasks and avoid anything that is not essential until those must-do tasks are completed. Realistic daily goals can help you acknowledge when you are on track.
Communicating with Patients and Colleagues:
Struggle: Establishing clear, compassionate communication with diverse individuals.
Active listening and solution focused questioning can keep the conversation on track within consultations to ensure you keep on time and on track. Colleague interactions can be necessary and enjoyable, but can also rob you of your productive time. Seeking out social interactions during breaks can be a way to balance this.
These are just the tip of the iceberg of things that can feel like a challenge when you are starting to establish yourself in a private practice setting. Remember, even someone who has been a clinician for many years will still have things they feel that they need to improve on. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for improvement and progress and enjoy the journey.
