Letter from our Clinical Director Feb 2022- POC frequency
- lifecaretherapy
- Feb 28, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 2, 2022
Dear Therapy Team,
As the Clinical Director, I routinely review and research scientific articles related to the provision of therapy services including PT, OT and SLP. The goal is to establish company-wide standards of best practice both the selection and design of the services that we provide.
I have been reviewing literature that associates therapy frequency and duration with outcomes in services. I started this review because recently, therapy plans of care company-wide have decreased from what used to be an average frequency of 3 days/week to 1-2 days/week. I was curious if this downward trend in frequency would impact outcomes. The answer is, “yes, probably”. The reasons are perhaps intuitive but include:
At initiation of therapy (and for our population, almost always), patients are unable to independently complete exercise and activity at the same intensity with which we provide during the therapy sessions. A decreased frequency slows the gains that can be made for rehabilitation services.
Patients are often fearful to perform home program activities and/or begin a pattern/routine in which the activities are not being performed correctly. This can lead to risk for injury and/or lack of efficacy without the immediate feedback that more frequent therapy sessions provide.
Co-morbid medical conditions and/or other reasons are more likely to interrupt plans of care that are provided for a longer duration/lower intensity than those that are provided at a higher intensity/shorter duration.
I wanted to share because a simple change in increased frequency and a return to “what once was” can improve compliance and outcomes for our patients. It is not a “rule”, but rather a suggestion for consideration so when plans of care are recommended 2-3 times/week, we strive for the 3 instead of the 2.
Now... go do your great work!
Connie Saklellaropoulos, MOTR/L
Director of Clinical Services
LifeCare Therapy Services
Direct: 631-697-8070
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