PT Burnout

[TooCool]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Is burnout typical among Physical Therapists? Is it more common in certain settings like SNF? One of the PTs I observed said he worked at a hospital that had PTs get burned out in 3-5 years cause they were doing 9 patients a day one after the other, with 30 min treatments. Is that common in most places where PTs work? Currently he sees 2-3 patients 45- 60 min treatments each.

 

[jesspt]

Is burnout typical among Physical Therapists? Is it more common in certain settings like SNF? One of the PTs I observed said he worked at a hospital that had PTs get burned out in 3-5 years cause they were doing 9 patients a day one after the other, with 30 min treatments. Is that common in most places where PTs work? Currently he sees 2-3 patients 45- 60 min treatments each.

Are those twice a day treatments? I'm assuming so. That's the only ay I can see nine patients a day being overwhelming.

 

[TooCool]

Yah Im not sure.

Ive seen PTs see patients back to back and some have a good 30-60 min in between. Which is the norm? Or does it just depend on setting?

When I was a massage therapist I had 8 massages back to back. Boy was that draining!

 

[jesspt]

Yah Im not sure.

Ive seen PTs see patients back to back and some have a good 30-60 min in between. Which is the norm? Or does it just depend on setting?

When I was a massage therapist I had 8 massages back to back. Boy was that draining!

I schedule patients at 30 minute intervals with a 30 minute lunch, so there are 15 patient appointments.

 

[MinnDasota]

Burn out occurs in all fields. I mainly find burnout for the PTs who work multiple jobs and have no time for a life of his or her own...or if they work for a mill (4+ patients per hour). However, there are some PTs who thrive on this.

 

[summerX]

I recently got a job offer in an outpatient ortho setting that is mostly occupational health (worker's comp). From the interview it sounded like they have had some turnover from a heavy caseload. It seems like they have about 30 pts scheduled for the day for the PT, but there are about 10 missed visits so the PT sees about 20 pts in a 8 hour work day (9 hours with 1 hour lunch) Does this sound reasonable?? There is also no aide or assistant. Although I think that there might be a floating assistant between sites. The average length of patient visit is 50 minutes. They would also like me to be able to stay late sometimes, go to meetings, etc. They said I would be the director as I would be the only PT there.

So my main worry is that this may be too many patients. any thoughts?

 

[MinnDasota]

workers comp and 3+ patients an hour without additional help doesn't sound appealing to me. Unless you're getting paid at ton (workers comp pays very little), I would pass this up in a heart beat. This has burnout and unhappiness written all over it.

 

[summerX]

Thanks for your advice. Other places I've been invited to interview at say they are really busy as well. It seems hard to find a clinic or hospital with a reasonable pt load. The job I am at now is also busy, but I think the new job would allow more autonomy and less lifting, which I am also looking for. Maybe after a year here I could look for a supervisory position elsewhere if not enough help with the caseload is offered. There is also a few PT/PTA schools nearby where students may need clinicals. So I guess I have a few options. I feel like those of you seeing a couple patients an hour are so lucky!

 

[jesspt]

workers comp and 3+ patients an hour without additional help doesn't sound appealing to me. Unless you're getting paid at ton (workers comp pays very little), I would pass this up in a heart beat. This has burnout and unhappiness written all over it.

Comp reimbursement varies state by state. It is actually a very good payor here in Illinois.

 

[Shelby029]

I think it was a psych class that I heard helping professions (like any medical, social work, ect) get burn out more frequently. This is because you have to everyday muster up some sympathy even when you are going through a hard time yourself.