What to tell staff about coping

[Guest guest]

Great question! I look forward to other's responses for selfish reasons. I have found that involving staff in problem-solving ways to " play with the system " while the system is finding its equilibrium point has been very beneficial. They have developed a sense of ownership in the success of the programs they create and devote more energy to positive change behaviors than negative ones (you know, the whining and poor me attitude). I have tried to help them understand (and convince myself, too) that if we continue to blame all of our problems on external factors rather than choosing to be active participants in the change process we will be dominated by the system rather than dominate it. Lofty talk, I know, but I have found it keeps my staff motivated to " beat it " rather than " join it " .Lori Dominiczak, PT----------> > To: ptmanager List <PTManageregroups>> Subject: What to tell staff about coping> Date: Monday, March 08, 1999 4:00 PM> > One of the most frequent questions I have been getting here at PTManager> Central (sounds impressive, eh?) is, > " What advice would you give to staff who are struggling with how quickly> and significantly the rehabilitation world has changed? " > > So I pass this on to the significant collective wisdom of the list members -> What approach have you taken to help staff (and yourself) cope with all> this going on around us?> > This is a very important issue - please post your responses to the list> unless you are uncomfortable doing so.> > Thanks> > > R. Kovacek, MSA, PT> Email Pkovacek@...> 313 884-8920> Visit <www.PTManager.com>> > TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE !> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------>

[Guest guest]

Although I've been in solo practice for twenty years, my managerial

expertise is nothing compared to many on this list. I confine my advise to

clinical issues, and I, like many in our profession, have watched the

changes in provision and reimbursement pretty much destroy the vision I had

of this work I had when leaving school. I do not think that vision will

ever be restored.

When new (or relatively new) grads come up to me at workshops for advice or

to simply tell me how awful it is out there, I can't be especially

encouraging. I have instead suggested that they consider altering their

personal understanding of their place as a clinician within the health care

system. Not in order to make more money. I think those days are over. But

in order to find a little personal peace with the job they are doing, or,

at least, intended to do. I suggest they consider becoming a servant. I

mean servant in the sense that they elevate their status and the patient's

simultaneously while providing care that can't be found without personal

attention. " Don't expect to be paid more for this, " I say. " Expect only to

maintain within you some of the feeling you went into therapy with. Nothing

else in today's system will provide you this. "

I wrote an essay about this concept called " PT In Service " and put it on my

web site <http://qin.com/dorko> It begins with a description of the Hermann

Hesse novel, " The Journey to the East, " and contains some ideas from

Remen's work as well. I'd be interested in some response to this thinking

from managers and staff alike.

It's not going to help us figure out how to chase down the right CPT code,

but at least it might help us understand why we still try.

Barrett L. Dorko P.T.

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