Trends in patient satisfaction have also contributed to changes in our practice style. The 90s have been oriented toward increasing consumer satisfaction. While it used to be common for most outpatient clinics to have a waiting list, few patients today are willing to wait weeks for an appointment. Not too long ago, many new private practices were spawned by the waiting lists of hospital departments, and managers found a waiting list to be the best argument for adding staff especially in a market where more treatment meant more revenue. Few health care providers today, except perhaps the most exclusive clinicians in a niche market, can afford to entertain the thought of a waiting list.
Patients are fit into existing work schedules without expanding hours or adding staff.
Thus, patient satisfaction is maintained, revenues are increased, and expenses are held constant. The Implications We have all heard horror stories about how PTs working with only untrained personnel have been required to see upwards of 30 patients a day. However graphically these anecdotes might depict the reality of clinical practice for some PTs, APTA data indicate that this is far from the norm. Thus, each PT would be able to provide 2,880 visits per year. If any of the intervention is delegated to PTAs, we need even fewer.