Author: Robert Shapiro PT

Starting out as a therapist can be exciting and overwhelming. The positive impact of your job lies in the ability to help people enhance their mental and physical well-being. However, therapists may encounter common pitfalls in the early stages of their careers. In this article, we will explore these pitfalls and provide tips on how to avoid them.

1. Lack of precision in Motor Skills and Examination:

Accurately diagnosing a patient’s condition is a crucial skill for physical therapists. It can, however, be challenging, especially for those new to the field. It is possible for inaccurate diagnoses to lead to ineffective treatment and to obstruct the process of recovery. To avoid this pitfall, it is essential to seek feedback from experienced colleagues, attend workshops, and engage in continuing education courses. You will constantly improve your examination skills if you participate in these activities.

2. Inadequate movement analysis and correction:

The ability to analyze and correct movement is at the core of physical therapy practice. Many therapists struggle with identifying movement impairments and developing effective treatment plans. Overcoming this challenge requires practicing observational skills, reflecting on your own behavior, and seeking feedback from others. By honing these skills, you can enhance your ability to analyze and address movement issues effectively.

3. Insufficient interviewing skills:

Interviewing skills are vital for obtaining a patient’s history, identifying their symptoms, and developing an appropriate treatment plan. It is not enough to ask the right questions; therapists should also empathize with the patient and create a safe environment for open communication. To enhance your interviewing skills, consider participating in communication workshops and experiential learning opportunities. These resources will help you improve your ability to connect with patients and gather essential information.

4. Limited mastery of motor skills in treatment 

Despite mastering the anatomical and physiological aspects of their profession, physical therapists may take time to become proficient in delivering interventions. While practice is essential for improvement, it is equally worthwhile to engage in hours of repetition, examination, and collaboration with other experts. This dedicated effort will help you refine your motor skills and deliver treatments effectively.

5. Inadequate mastery of patient  education and counseling:

To promote recovery, it is crucial to educate and counsel patients effectively. Therapists often struggle with explaining complex concepts or meeting patients’ requests for additional information, even though they excel in providing treatment.To address this pitfall, consider attending workshops or seminars focused on cognitive-behavioral techniques. These resources will equip you with effective strategies for patient education and counseling.

To build a successful therapy practice, prioritize patient-centered care and strive to help your clients overcome physical and mental challenges. By being aware of these common pitfalls and implementing the suggested tips, you can enhance your skills as a therapist. This will enable you to provide better care for your patients.

The more I mature, in years that is not necessarily in other ways, the more I realize the more simple the better. The best teachers I’ve ever had simplified a subject that seemed complex. I admire that in a teacher and a clinician. It doesn’t have to be that complicated. . I remember having the opportunity to watch one of my mentors treat a patient in the clinic, I was so excited to see all the cool techniques he we was gong to use. To my dismay his treatment was so
simple, but it was so effective at the same time. He didn’t add tons of acrobatic exercises or crazy complicated manipulation techniques, he simply used the right tool for the job nothing more and nothing less. In addition to feeling great, the patient was overjoyed. Thank you Rob Panariello. Lesson learned; simple, direct with the right tool for the job wins every time. Still a work in progress for me, i tend to be an over thinker 🙂

I am approaching my 32nd year of practice as a physical therapist. Over the years, many things have changed, but some things will never change. So far, these have been my top lessons

1. There is no end to learning. I tell my students all the time one you think you know it all you have stopped learning. If you see a patient with a certain diagnosis this year and then see them again a year later and you are doing exactly the same thing you havent grown. I earned by doctorate in my 30th year of treating and plan on continuing to learn and grow.
2. Pick one system (Maitland, McKenzie etc) and learn the basics of the system well. It will give you a great base from which to work and allow you to grow and learn new techniques. But….once you have a base system don’t be afraid to add to your tool box. All patients do not fit into all systems, they didn’t all read the book and may require a different approach. . Be open to other ways of thinking. Residency training is a great way to accelerate the learning curve. I waited 10 years to joint a residency program and wished I did it as soon as i graduated.
3. Make sure you find a mentor you can trust. I have made a concerted effort to find mentors over the years. Seek guidance and assistance from others if you need it (and we all need it).I reach out to my peers all the time for guidance.
4. Teach and start early. It took me too long to teach because I felt I didn’t know enough or that what I had to offer wasn’t special. I have come to realize that the more I teach the more I learn. If you can explain it you understand. Some of the best teachers I have met take a complicated subject and make it seem easy, that is a sign of a great teacher.
5. Treat your patients as if they are family (family that you like::) Go above and beyond your patients expectations. This can range from a quick text to see how they are doing to becoming a patient advocate. Despite the fact that you will not be able to cure every patient, you can make a difference in their lives and find them the additional assistance they need.
6. Embrace change. Change is inevitable, the key is how we reposed to change. I continue to change as I gain more experience and that has allowed me to stay relevant and helped me continue to grow as a therapist.