Book Review
Starting Your Own Practice from Scratch: A Guide for Chiropractors, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists.
Author: Caroline Joy Co, PT, DPT, CHT, CSFA.
Publisher: Rehabsurge, Inc. Baldwin, NY [2010]
ISBN: 1450596398
EAN-13: 978145059398
Purchase Price: $37.23 [save $2.16]
Available at: www.bookdepository.co.uk [Shipping free worldwide]
Review:
As the title suggests this book is targeted toward practitioners about to start private practice and contains substantial and useful information. Those already in private work may well benefit from some of the suggestions. Although written for the American audience most of it can be applied to New Zealand conditions.
The book is intended for informational and educational purposes and gives a step by step guide in building your own practice from scratch. It is written as a course outline with objectives for each of the eighteen chapters, a reference list, an appendix with exam questions and answers, plus a survey questionnaire. It is well written and formatted, easy and interesting to read. The contents are best explained by the following contents list.
Table of contents/Course Outline:
Defining your Practice
Building your Identity
Insurance and necessary Legal Concerns
Payment
Purchasing Clinical Equipment
The Facility
Marketing Plan
Pre-Opening Advertising
Setting up your Online Appointment Scheduler
Forms
HIPPA Polices
Keeping Track
Employees
Getting Referral Sources
Join Trade Associations
Study your Competition
Start-up Expenses
Your Accounting System
Planning a Grand Opening Event
Some of the content tends to lean towards physical therapy concerns; however this does not detract from the overall worthwhile information. Although the legal and insurance sections are related to what is relevant in USA, particularly where HIPPA polices are mentioned, the importance of these factors are indeed necessary for New Zealand practitioners, as we can transfigure these to our HPCAA. In addition belonging to all professional or trade affiliations is highlighted.
There is information on choosing the right business structure, creating a business plan and payment options. Should you require equipment and or a work facility there are useful suggestions on how to do this along with marketing strategies? Setting up online databases and other Internet resources is also covered with a list of convenient websites presented. Developing a series of forms suitable for your practice that includes treatment is a source of valuable material. In addition start-up expenses and accounting systems are also included.
Perhaps the most useful information was the emphasis on developing your own policies and procedures for your practice. In my own past private practice [1993-1997] and now current supervision practice, I developed polices to protect myself and clients and aligned them to government [now HPCAA 2003], local and OTBNZ guidelines and procedures. These require updating regularly to meet your targeted market. In particular a privacy and complaints process is important as it is mandatory in any General Practice Clinic in New Zealand.
Generally this book is an excellent resource that I would recommend for occupational therapists wishing to develop a private practice.
Ann Christie NZAOT FRLA 1998
Senior Occupational Therapist
Private Practice: CARE Supervision