Don’t worry, I’m adding PTA’s also. It was just too clunky in the title, and added more outrage. And while we’re at it, why don’t we add OTs and COTAs.
It wasn’t always this way. There has been this gradual slide in the industry towards “physical apathy.” Maybe it’s the nauseating “paperwork”, which isn’t really paperwork anymore, it’s data collection, and box checking for eternity. The year I started, we were still completing hand written SOAP notes.
Before we go further, do you know which PTs agree with me on this one? PTs who have had to hire other PTs. The other PTs who aren't offended, were just too busy to read this.
Wanna say that I’m scholastically lazy? You are 100% correct.
But now it's time to lay out my case. Here are some of the excuses I've heard in my career, as to why the PT couldn’t see a patient;
“I'm too busy”
“They're too icky”
“My contract says…”
“They're too heavy”
“They're too medically fragile”
“They're too young/old”
“That patient is hitting on me…”
“You're better at __________ than I am”
“I have too much paperwork”
“I can’t get in the pool”
“That appointment is too early/late”
“I don’t work Monday/Friday”
“I don’t like outpatient/inpatient/home health/schools/kids/nursing homes/old people”
“That room smells”
“They’re too scary”
“We don't get reimbursed enough for me to see them”
“They live in a rough part of town”
“There's too much liability for me to see them”
“I've seen them for too long” (but not as long as you're about to…)
“They live too far away” (home health)
“There's no one else to do it”
“They might be contagious”
“The nurses will do it”
“This is only a re-eval, we’re not actually gonna treat you today”
“You were 15 min late. I have the remaining time to sit here and gossip, but we’ll teach you a lesson”
“I’m not the person who normally sees you”
Oh, it gets worse. Guess the gender of all those excuses?
One of my friends suggested that “burnout” = laziness. I’m sure you’ve heard some good ones. Share in the comments.
Here’s some more of that sanctimony crap…Mostly I am very grateful that I always got to see more patients, spend more time with people, and have less paperwork. All those experiences are invaluable. Over 50,000 patient hours. I’ve earned the right to say a few things.
Admittedly, all professions have issues. One of our issues is our insecurity towards the fact that we’re not doctors.
BTW, if you have to ask me which one you were…