The Voyager: Outpatient PT Burnout

Kyle Barnett, PT, DPT, Cert MDT, SFMA, Area Leader

Outpatient PT Burnout: What you need to know – Part 2

In Part 1, we took the time to unpack some of the reasons outpatient physical therapists are experiencing burnout. (If you haven’t read Part 1 – we highly recommend it!) For part 2, let’s stick with the “Bullet Points” approach and talk about how LHM Physical Therapy is tackling these challenges head-on.

Productivity pressure
- Productivity demands often come down to one thing: the business model. If revenue only comes from high patient volume, then clinicians will bear the weight.
- At LHM Physical Therapy, we are working to rethink the model. That means expanding our services and shifting how communities see physical therapy, from a reactive treatment to a proactive way to improve long-term health.
Reimbursement challenges
- Reimbursement for outpatient therapy services has steadily declined over the last decade. Certainly, you can advocate through the APTA and your local representatives, but therapy organizations also need to adapt in real time.
- At LHM Physical Therapy, we’ve built additional service lines beyond traditional therapy. These allow us to support entire communities, balance reimbursement challenges and stay aligned with our mission of service people – not just chasing numbers.
Emotional engagement
- Physical therapists wear several hats in healthcare. Patients don’t just bring their injuries, they bring their fears, frustrations, and stories.
- At LHM, we encourage team members to reconnect with their “why”. One way we do this is by providing opportunities for our team to volunteer locally. When we serve our communities beyond the clinic walls, we strengthen the purpose that drives our work inside them.
Administrative Load and “Note Fatigue”
- Clinical documentation isn’t going away any time soon. But that doesn’t mean it should eat into your time outside of work. They key is making it as efficient as possible.
- At LHM, like many companies, we’re investing in systems and training to streamline documentation. From educating clinicians on EMR efficiency to piloting new technology, our goal is simple: kept he workday at work.

Looking Ahead

These are kinds of real-world challenges worth discussing with any company you’re interviewing. Ask: What is your team doing to create alignment and prevent burnout?

At LHM Physical Therapy Institute, we don’t claim to have all the answers, but we’re committed to taking action, listening to our team, and innovating and leading with purpose. That’s how we build a profession where individuals can thrive.

Enjoy the journey!