Physiatrists are vital for treating patients in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). These physicians ensure patients receive the rehabilitation services they need to recover from or manage neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, and pain. Patients can get professional, efficient, and high-quality care when physiatrists provide services in skilled nursing centers.
While there are many benefits for those working in a SNF as a physiatrist, there are also several misconceptions. Some myths of working in a SNF include:
Myth 1: Limited Scope of PracticeA common misconception about physiatrists working in SNFs is that there are limited roles for them. Whether physiatrists are in-house or contracted to support rehabilitative care in the centers, they have multiple opportunities to use their skills and expertise in diverse ways. The patients physiatrists work with in SNFs all have individual needs that require personalized treatment plans. When you work in a center, you'll have to juggle multiple responsibilities to ensure each patient gets the help they need to achieve their goals. Physiatrists have an extensive impact on patients' lives. These skilled physicians deliver organized treatments to help patients receive care that matches their specific needs and goals, including restoring strength, enhancing mobility, or improving their overall quality of life. |
|
Myth 2: Lack of Patient Diversity
Another myth about physiatrists working in SNFs is that there needs to be more patient diversity because SNFs only cater to specific patient demographics. Skilled nursing centers often support older adults with various health conditions because they need additional medical support to rehabilitate after an injury or manage their health condition. Despite the demographic of SNFs typically being older adults, there is still patient diversity.
Patients in skilled nursing centers have different health conditions that require varied treatment approaches. The diversity in SNFs comes from the different conditions physiatrists encounter while working at the centers. Even if two patients have the same diagnosis and treatment plan, they may still respond differently and take independent lengths of time for recovery because they are individuals with varied abilities and goals.
Working in a SNF as a physiatrist also lets you experience caring for new patients with conditions you may have a lot of experience working with or ones you've never treated before.
Myth 3: Limited Career Opportunities
You may hear that your career opportunities are limited if you work in a SNF as a physiatrist, but that isn't the case. Physiatrists play crucial roles in patients' lives in SNFs, and they can use their experiences working in the centers to grow professionally. While these physicians continually use and improve their skills working with patients, they also often work on their communication and collaboration skills because they partner with a team to administer treatment plans.
Your hard work and dedication to helping patients in skilled nursing settings could lead you to new and expanded paths in your career. You will gain strong management skills that could help you seek opportunities in higher leadership or administrative positions. Additionally, your work with patients gives you insight into how care systems and treatment techniques work, so you could become a patient advocate or engage in research projects to further the advancement of physiatry.
While you have earned your degree and certification to become a doctor in physiatry, you aren't limited to only working with patients while working at SNFs. You could use this opportunity to explore other areas in the field.
Myth 4: Routine and Monotonous Work
Another misconception is that working in a SNF can be repetitive and dull. While many of your patients will have a routine to follow to keep up with their treatments, that doesn't mean the days are all the same. Physiatrists perform patient-centric services and care, so they must constantly change treatment approaches to accommodate their patients' advancements. Even if patients follow the same routine for weeks, they may have bad and good days. They could respond differently to the routine on off days and require you to make adjustments.
Besides working with patients, physiatrists often also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams at the center to ensure the proper treatment of their patients. Working with other health care professionals at SNFs will provide different experiences and enable you to expand your professional network.
Myth 5: Lack of Technological Advancements
Some may believe there is a lack of technological advancements at SNFs. This varies depending on the center and its budget. Physiatry is a field with continual advancements in research, techniques, and care practices, so many SNFs are well-equipped with the latest technology. However, some may not have the resources to get the newest equipment yet. In general, though, these centers strive to keep up with the latest technology to ensure physiatrists can provide the best services possible for patients.
Physiatrists working at SNFs will likely have access to the technology necessary for providing treatment. These physicians may use diagnostic imaging, nerve conduction studies, telehealth, remote monitoring technology, and various rehabilitation devices to offer the best care.
Myth 6: Limited Impact on Patient Outcomes
Physiatrists want the best for their patients, so they ensure they provide services that help these individuals enjoy their lives to the fullest. When patients have the resources and support to manage their musculoskeletal conditions, they are more confident in achieving their goals. The time physiatrists take to listen and truly care for their patients can make a difference in their lives.
Working with professionals through rehabilitation ensures patients follow evidence-based practices to recover and manage pain. Our services at Medrina have a 96% satisfaction score following a patient's discharge. Many patients who have gone through physiatry enjoy an improved quality of life because they have either healed or learned effective ways to manage their pain through the various rehabilitation and pain management sessions they've attended.
The physiatry team has a critical role in helping improve patients' well-being while promoting a better quality of life.
Explore Opportunities in SNFs With Medrina
Physiatrists working in SNFs are essential to ensuring patients receive proper care for their musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and injuries. Besides providing care to patients, these physicians also gain opportunities to further their careers and make a difference.
While there are several misconceptions about working in SNFs, they shouldn't deter you from starting or continuing your career as a physiatrist in a skilled nursing center. Patients need your expertise to ensure they receive the proper support and treatment for their conditions, and you can benefit from the experience.
Medrina connects physiatrists with SNFs to ensure both parties can achieve what they're looking for. We can help you find an excellent position at a skilled nursing center where you can use your expertise to help patients. Learn more about Medrina's SNF opportunities when you complete our contact form today.
Other Articles
-1.png)