Simpler is Better

In the last article, we talked about knowing yourself and using EMR systems to measure and track data. We looked at the way we, as Physical Therapists, tend to want to measure just about everything. Almost. We have an aversion to being measured and compared professionally. The collection of objective data around our performance can sometimes feel impersonal if not accusatory. 

Imagine a patient with chronic back pain. They may spend years denying their pain while it worsens day after day. As it nags increasingly, they might try some medication. And in the moment before they finally give in to accepting some help from a skilled professional, what do they try? They try everything. Yoga, Pilates, bending forward, bending backward, swimming, not eating gluten, buying a new mattress, watching YouTube videos. Nothing is off the table, and they dabble in everything. 

When considering metrics, I tend to do the same thing. If I am trying to lose weight, I will use a scale that measures weight and body composition and hydration. I will use an app that counts calories and measures carbs and macros. I will make a chart for specific exercises to complete on specific days. If one measurement is good, ten must be better. Except it is not. 

There is a lack of sustainability to micromanaging change by adding more metrics. It takes your attention away from the goal. The lack of simplicity is fertile ground for excuses and frustration. The tracking becomes overwhelming, and large successes are clouded by smaller, but frequent shortcomings. When it comes to metrics, a few simple measures are best. 

I have always been an advocate for accessible healthcare. People should not have to wait three weeks for a medical appointment. They should be able to be seen at a frequency and for a duration that matches what their therapist recommended at their evaluation. We need to be flexible and understand that we are there for our patients. It is not the other way around. 

In my case, a metric that matches my passion would be “total new patients.”  If I increase the number of new patients I have seen, I have increased the amount of people who had access to services in a given period of time. It is beautiful in its simplicity.  

In the past, I have found a hundred ways to make that measurement more complicated. I have looked at visits per hour, visits per referral, visits per FTE, or visits per calendar day. I have combined visits by location to focus on a “team” approach, I have ranked productivity and made competition for new visitors a part of the work environment. I have found so many ways to spoil the simplicity of the notion that seeing more people means I provided more access to care. 

When you choose metrics, choose a metric that is measurable and reportable. Choose one that is simple. Most importantly, however? Start with a metric that speaks to your passion. Tie it to what you want to do better, and the accusatory nature of being measured will give way to the admission that there is room to improve. 

Make sure your EMR system allows you the ability to create and track customizable goals. Goals that are suited toward your individual passions and goals you have for your clinic. When making AgileEMR we sought the help of web developers and engineers to optimize the software. We also sought the help of many physical therapists to create an easy to use and helpful EMR software. AgileEMR is truly an EMR system that is made for physical therapists, by physical therapists.  

Next time we will talk about things besides simplicity and passion that make a measure great. For now, if you are looking for any information on EMR systems or the features within our EMR program, look no further than this past blog here. Since launching, AgileEMR has been used in more than 1 million patient cases by all kinds of providers in the outpatient physical therapy and hospital rehabilitation fields. We are confident that our program can meet all your practice needs and can help streamline documentation at your physical therapy practice.