Physical Therapy Software Dream Practice Analysis
Life is But a Dream
For Shannon, it’s essential to look back in order to look forward
Can a Dream Practice Analysis clarify Shannon’s real-world path?
Tell me again what DPA is, said Mike, raising his voice to be heard over the shouts of the children. Mike and Shannon had come to the park to play with their kids, but they were ready for a break. Shannon had mentioned DPA on the drive over, but Mike had’t caught what it was.
It stands for ˜Dream Practice Analysis, Shannon explained. It’s part of figuring out the ROI of my practice management software. But I dont think I understand ROI well enough to be able to figure it out.
Do you have to figure it out yourself?
I asked Theresa for help, but we couldnt seem to sort it out, and shes the one who keeps the books. Shannon laughed ruefully. That sounds bad, doesnt it?
It sounds like you need some help, thats for sure. Theresa can keep track of your income and expenses, I’m sure. But ROI is about investments. By figuring out the return on a potential investment — like practice management software — you can tell whether its a wise decision or not.
I think thats the point of the DPA process, Shannon agreed. Well analyze the Dream Practice and see how much time and money I can save by automating some of our processes with software.
It sounds like a good thing to do, Mike observed. How long has it been since you slowed down enough to think about what your Dream Practice would look like?
Good question. Shannon sat back and gazed around the park. It was an idyllic setting, full of happy children, dogs, and people enjoying the sunshine. It was easier to think about her Dream Practice here than in the office.
In the office, she was often distracted by fires needing to be put out, personal issues among the staff, and a general sense of chaos. Everything seemed to need dealing with on a case-by-case basis and every problem seemed like a new issue that had to be figured out and solved¦ or worse yet, the same old problem that never got solved but still had to be dealt with.
I love my business, Shannon said at last.
I know you do. Mike put an arm around his wife’s shoulders.
But you’re right. Ive lost track of the dream.
Dreams are different from reality, but your dreams can certainly help inform your decisions. If a DPA will help you see what kind of ROI you could get from an investment and help you make the right decision about the best investments in your practice, its worth doing.
Shannon nodded. She was still watching the kids, but it seemed to Mike that she might also be seeing her Dream Practice in her minds eye.
Can a Dream Practice Analysis clarify Shannon’s real-world path?
Disclaimer: For HIPAA compliance, all characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons or actual events is purely coincidental.
It’s all too easy for PTs to get caught up in the day-to-day events of running a practice and lose sight of what their dream practice is. The term “Dream Practice” may sound like a platitude, but you’ll never know until you identify areas of improvement and quantify your potential ROI.
Isn’t a dream what drives someone like Shannon to open a practice in the first place? Sometimes you have to gut-check yourself and make sure you’re still on the path toward that dream — financially, emotionally, etc.
It’s great that Shannon realizes she’s lost tract of her dream but is now willing to fill out a DPA to get back on track!
If I owned a Physical Therapy Practice I would want an expert to help determine where we are right now with real numbers and then where we could be in 5 or 10 years down the road if we became more efficient. Ideally the expert would come up with a plan to help my Practice implement the improvements and help us get there.