Top 6 Reasons to LOVE Treating the Industrial Athlete

In the field of Physical Therapy (PT), various areas of specialization exist. While many therapists commonly focus on Sports Medicine or Pediatrics, very few choose to specialize in Industrial Rehab (think work comp), which is a sub-specialty of Orthopedics. However, those who opt to specialize in treating industrial athletes often find it exceptionally rewarding.

There are several compelling reasons to consider this underserved specialization:

1. Provide a higher quality of care for a very deserving patient population.
2. Developing work simulation activities that facilitate return to work allows you to be creative.
3. Since fewer therapists specialize in treating injured workers, there’s an opportunity to stand out as an expert – and to command a higher salary for doing so.
4. Create better return to work outcomes for the patient.
5. Lower cancellation rates
6. Better reimbursement rates (depending on your state's work comp payment structure).

We asked a group of Physical Therapists about their love for treating injured workers, and here is what they shared:

1. "I love the creativity that we, as clinicians, have to tailor our interventions to a specific job. Being goal-oriented and creative, treating the Industrial Athlete ticks both boxes. Job-specific testing and training are necessary, and you can let your creativity show by tailoring a program for your patient."
2. "It feels great to be an expert, to be good at something that other clinicians are afraid of. Industrial rehab and the work comp arena are niche areas, and a little education and guidance can make the entire process easier and more rewarding for both the therapist and the patient."
3. "I enjoy being an advocate for injured workers. Physical therapy can be the deciding factor for getting back to work and helping industrial athletes get their full paycheck. Many assume that injured workers don't want to get back to work, but most are as motivated, if not more so, than sports athletes."
4. "I don’t have to worry if my patient will show. The cancellation rate with Industrial Athletes is much lower than with other patients."
5. "Money – for two reasons. Workers’ compensation pays more than commercial insurance, and by filling a niche, I can demand a higher salary. Treating Industrial Athletes can easily increase revenue for a clinic."

If you want to experience the joy and gratification of treating Industrial Athletes and broaden your scope in the industrial rehab arena, consider training in these areas:

• Treating industrial athletes in the outpatient setting
• Performing return-to-work screens
• Performing Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs)
• Conducting Impairment Ratings
• Marketing services for industrial athletes

Providing the right services for the work comp market is crucial to growing your referrals. Expertise, evidence-based methods, and understanding the needs of various referral sources in the work comp system are key to establishing yourself as the expert. While offering these services alone is not a golden ticket to success, being a champion for your Industrial Athletes can set you and your staff apart.

Ready to show some love for your Industrial Athletes? Contact ErgoScience to learn more.