We all know how important outcomes are in clinical care, and how much goes into achieving those outcomes: the right exercises, the right number of visits, and the right level of engagement from the patient. But what about vibes?

Although it’s tough to quantify, a positive clinic environment is undoubtedly a benefit to patient outcomes as well as staff satisfaction. Patients will want to return to a place where the mood is high and their providers are enjoying their work. So how can practices try to capture good times in their clinics?

In this episode of the Practice Experience Podcast, WebPT Content Marketing Specialist Dr. Ryan Giebel talks with Jason Collin, PT, MPT, CHPC, Co-Founder and Director of Awesomeness (really)  at PT Revolution, about the genesis of the business and its mission to create good vibes. They discuss PT Revolution’s COVID-era origins before covering:

• How PT Revolution has cultivated its unique environment;
• Why the practice wasn’t afraid to lean into a niche market;
• How they’ve found the right outreach to connect with their community; and
• What advice they’d impart to new grads starting their PT career.  

Episode Highlights

On the origins of PT Revolution

Jason: So one of the things that was really important for us when we went into practice together was to disrupt the traditional physical therapy model and break away from that medical model. And we wanted to do it in a constructive way and really get people to create an environment where people want to go. 

On PT Revolution’s guiding principles

Jason: One of our core principles is that we should all be doing meaningful work and having a blast doing it. So we show up there, we keep our stoke level high and really work on getting the patients optimistic and just create that vibe so they're ready to get back in action and have fun while they're rehabbing as well.

On engaging with patients from the start

Jason: One of our philosophies, we call it first five, last five, every five. In that first five seconds when somebody walks in the door, somebody is going to say their name. Somebody is going to say, “Hey, Ryan, what's up? How are you doing?” If you don't know their name, it's just like, hey, glad you're here. And then the last five at the other end of it is in that last five seconds that we say, “Great job today, Ryan, way to go.” The every five is that at least every five minutes during their stay, we're connecting with them.

On creating connections

Jason: The secret to our success has been those connections. When people feel you care, when they feel those connections, they feel cared for, they know you're paying attention, they know you have their best interest in mind. And it really has a deep impact on their overall recovery and rehabilitation.

On what sets PT Revolution apart 

Jason: if you look at outpatient PT outcomes, they're remarkably good. PTs have a good success rate, and patients are generally very happy. So what we're doing is from a technical side, I wouldn't say it's revolutionary. I think ours is the experiential side. We've got clinical specialists, we've got OCS, SES, we've got people that are incredible at their and specializing in climbing and cycling and all sorts of things.

On embracing your niche

Jason: We've got a climbing specialist and we've got a cycling specialist and we want to find a running specialist. And is that all they do? Absolutely not. But it does get those people who are fanatics about those things. And then they draw those people who then pull their friends in…

I can't emphasize enough: find that niche. If you try to be all things to everybody, you're not gonna be anything to anybody.

On creating memorable community events 

Jason:  I think what people need to do is to find what's authentic, what’s true to your brand… Make it fun, make it memorable because, especially in this day and age, you can find everything you need from an information side on Google, and you can search it, you can find everything.

On advice for students

Jason: Just keep learning, find your path, and don't be afraid to explore. Don't be afraid to shift too. If you're the knee therapist now and you want to become a shoulder therapist later, that's okay. We don't have to be the same thing our entire career as well.

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