THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST AS
CONSULTANT
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QURATULAIN MUGHAL
BATCH IV
ISRA UNIVERSITY
IIRS
OBJECTIVES
1.To provide a clear picture of consultation
in physical therapy.
2.Identify opportunities for physical therapy
consultation.
3.Consider the qualities of consultants.
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CONTENTS
ODefinition of consultation
OContinuum of services
OLevels of consultation
OClient needs met by physical therapy consultants
OBuilding a consulting business
OThe consulting process
OThe skills of a good consultant
OTrust in the consultant/client relationship
OEthical and legal issues in consultation
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DEFINITION OF
CONSULTATION
“The rendering of professional or expert
opinion or advice”.
OR
“The practice of providing advice for a fee”.
OThis is a two-way interaction, a process in
which a person or an organization seeks help,
which the consultant provides.
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OThe consulting physical therapist applies
highly specialized knowledge and skills to
identify problems, recommend solutions, or
produce a specified outcome or product in a
given amount of time on behalf of a
patient/client.
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client neeDs Met BY
PHYsical tHeraPY
consultants
OInadequate human resources.
OObjective point of view.
OPeriods of change.
OBusiness management.
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BuilDinG a consultinG
Business
OConsultants must be prepared to pay
themselves and have money left for
developing and managing the business.
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estaBlisHinG consultinG
fees
Method 1 Method 2
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1. Calculate the amount
you need to cover living
and business expenses
for 1 year.
2. Calculate the number
of billable days in a year.
1. Determine the fee
potential clients are willing
to pay (e.g., find out the fee
paid to other consultants
in the area).
2. Determine your living and
business expenses.
3. Calculate the number of
consulting days per year you
need to break even.
tHe consultinG Process
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tHe skills of a GooD
consultant
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TrusT in The
ConsulTanT/ClienT
relaTionship
OPuts the client’s interests first.
OCareful in interactions with the client.
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eThiCal anD leGal issues
in ConsulTaTion
Code of Ethics
Guide for
Professional Conduct
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Both published by the American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA)
leGal sTaTus of
employmenT
1.Are you generally free to seek out many business
opportunities and to work for more than one client
at a time?
2.Are you paid a flat, negotiated fee for your work?
3.Do you provide your own resources to get the job
done?
4.Are you at risk for suffering a loss if your estimated
expenses are exceeded?
5.Is there no expectation that the work will continue
indefinitely?
6.Is the work you are doing not considered a routine
part of the organization?
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CODES OF ETHICS
BASED ON 11 PRINCIPLES
1.Responsibility
2.Competence
3.Moral and legal standards
4.Avoidance of misrepresentation
5.Confidentiality
6.Client welfare
7.Announcement of services
8.Intraprofessional and interprofessional relations
9.Remuneration
10.Responsibility toward client organization
11.Promotional activities
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GUIDE FOR
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
OA physical therapist shall seek consultation
whenever the welfare of the patient will be
safeguarded or advanced by consulting those
who have special skills, knowledge, and
experience.
OMake professional judgments that are in the
patient’s/client’s best interests.
OA physical therapist shall practice within the
scope of his/her competence and
commensurate with his/her level of education,
training, and experience.
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OPhysical therapists shall endeavor to
address the health needs of society.
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CONSULTING
SCENARIOS
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Consulting Scenario 1
Jill Jankowski has been successful in her independent physical
therapy practice, specializing
in children with spina bifida. Susie Shaw has asked Jill to act
as her consultant as she
develops her new pediatric physical therapy practice. Susie
tells Jill that she considers her
an expert in pediatrics and admires her for her excellent
reputation in the community. Jill,
who has never served as a consultant before, is flattered to be
asked. She tells Susie that
she will consider the matter and call her within a week.
● What should Jill ask herself before she calls Susie with her
decision?
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