Longitudinal continuity, where patients consistently see the same provider throughout their care, has been proven to enhance patient satisfaction. However, in certain therapy practices, it may be challenging to schedule patients with the same provider for every visit. In such cases, it is crucial to consider strategies that promote the best possible continuity of care between visits and different providers. Here are some key considerations:
Thorough Documentation:
Improving continuity of care can be facilitated through comprehensive documentation at various stages.
Subjective Exam: Consistency in questioning is vital. Adopting a standardized approach across providers and visits, such as asking questions like “What changes have you noticed in the past 24 hours?” or “Tell me about the pain in your shoulder and what brings relief,” enhances continuity. Having easy access to past subjective exam notes within the OptimisPT platform enables seamless communication with the patient, reinforcing their understanding of the purpose of their visit and documenting any changes.
Objective Exam: Clearly define impairments that restrict activities and document the most recent measurements. Including a date and time stamp for the last measurement ensures clarity for all providers working with the patient; this is a feature you’ll find in OptimisPT.
Assessment: A comprehensive assessment of the patient’s response to therapy interventions serves as a guide for future visits, promoting continuity of care.
Treatment: Providing specific details about treatment parameters and the patient’s immediate objective changes following interventions enhances the congruence of subsequent visits. Within OptimisPT, the ability to indicate progress for the next visit, add further visits, or place a hold, along with adding notes to exercises or manual therapy techniques, fosters improved communication between visits and providers.
Plan for Next Visit: Clearly outlining the intended reassessments or progressions for the next visit, such as reassessing active range of motion, evaluating tolerance and response to manual therapy, and sending electronic outcome measures, contributes to improved continuity of care between visits.
Good Communication:
Effective communication among providers and with the patient is paramount. Collaborative case conferences between providers enhance continuity of care. When interacting with patients, utilizing phrasing that acknowledges previous sessions, interventions, and their progress, such as “Last time when you were working with Sally, you mentioned shoulder pain during lifting. It decreased after the manual therapy intervention she provided. How has the pain been over the last 24 hours?” establishes rapport and fosters better understanding.
By equipping providers with in-depth knowledge of goals, interventions, and ensuring consistent care, we minimize the impact of seeing multiple providers on patient outcomes and satisfaction.
OptimisPT, our exceptional platform, offers features that enhance consistency and continuity of care between providers and visits. Are you interested in learning more about how our platform can assist you?
