Addressing the Underserved Physical Therapy Profession in the Healthcare Industry by Vidit Phanse

23 November,2024 08:59 PM IST |  Mumbai  | 

Vidit Phanse


The physical therapy profession plays a critical role in healthcare, particularly in rehabilitation and preventive care. Despite its significance, this field is often underserved, facing challenges like staffing shortages, burnout among therapists, and underutilization of essential services such as work conditioning and manual therapy. The healthcare system's reliance on physical therapists to enhance patient mobility and manage pain, especially in outpatient and rehabilitation settings, is growing. Yet, this sector remains one of the most under-supported in terms of resources and recognition, necessitating urgent attention to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Vidit Phanse, a dedicated leader in physical therapy, has made substantial strides in addressing these issues through innovative approaches and impactful initiatives. Ranked first among over 400 clinics in the central region in 2024, Vidit has not only demonstrated excellence in patient care but has also been instrumental in revitalizing struggling clinics, enhancing business strategies, and mentoring new hires to elevate the quality of care provided.

Throughout his career, Vidit has been pivotal in several transformative projects that have reshaped the operations of physical therapy clinics. At one clinic facing post-COVID challenges such as staffing issues and a lack of referrals, Vidit successfully built up the business, trained staff, and restored the clinic to a thriving state, preventing its closure. He replicated this success at another clinic, doubling the patient count from 10-18 per day to over 40, turning a potential shutdown into a high-performing center now ranked first in its region. His leadership directly contributed to these clinics surpassing revenue expectations, collectively generating over half a million dollars and ensuring their sustainability.

One of Vidit's most notable achievements is his expertise in marketing and securing major referrals, including a partnership with a local high school with over 600 athletes. By developing targeted strategies, he expanded the clinic's patient base, significantly improving weekly patient numbers from 100-120 to over 200. His focus on patient satisfaction is evident in the substantial increase in Google reviews, rising from 30 in 2022 to over 130 in 2024, highlighting the positive impact of his efforts on community perception and engagement.

Through his advocacy, he overcame regulatory challenges to establish workshops and training sessions, enhancing the clinic's service offerings and value. This commitment to professional development not only improved patient outcomes but also addressed a critical gap in the training of physical therapists, equipping them with advanced skills that are not commonly taught in traditional programs.

His published works, such as "Telehealth and Remote Home Exercise Therapy Monitoring in Out-Patient Physical Therapy" and studies on Dry Needling, further underscore his commitment to pushing the boundaries of the profession. These contributions highlight the evolving role of technology in physical therapy, advocating for remote monitoring and telehealth as vital tools to enhance patient care and manage the strain on healthcare resources.

He emphasizes the importance of work conditioning programs and optimizing manual therapy techniques to reduce therapist burnout, a significant factor given the classification of physical therapists as a Schedule A occupation with limited staffing resources. He advocates for educating clinicians on efficient use of physical therapy aids and maintaining high documentation standards, which are essential for sustaining the workforce and keeping healthcare costs under control.

Vidit's insights reflect a profound understanding of the challenges facing the physical therapy profession and a proactive approach to creating sustainable solutions. By addressing the underutilization of physical therapy services and focusing on the well-being of clinicians, Vidit is helping to shape a future where the value of this critical healthcare profession is fully realized and adequately supported.

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