In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, practitioner shortages have become a pressing concern for many clinics. Optimise Health, a leading clinic specialising in podiatry and physiotherapy, has taken an interesting approach to address these issues. Their solution? Allied health assistants.

The Challenge: Overbooked Diaries and Practitioner Burnout

Optimise Health faced a common dilemma: their podiatrists were booked out weeks in advance and efforts to recruit additional practitioners yielded little success due to industry-wide shortages, not to mention the long wait times, practitioner burnout, and unmet patient needs. This bottleneck not only affected patient care but also increased the risk of practitioner burnout.  The clinic needed a sustainable solution to maintain high-quality service without overextending their team.

Cathy’s Journey: From Receptionist to Allied Health Assistant

Enter Cathy, a dedicated team member who began her career at Optimise Health in an administrative role. Observing the mounting pressure on podiatrists and the growing waitlists, she sought a way to alleviate the strain. She went on to pursue a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance, specializing in Podiatry and Physiotherapy.

With support from the clinic’s management, she embarked on her educational journey while continuing to work full-time. The flexibility offered by Optimise Health allowed her to balance practical training with her existing responsibilities. Over approximately 15 months, Cathy transitioned into a Podiatry Assistant, bringing a new dimension to patient care.

Cathy’s role as a Podiatry Technician (Optimise Health’s term for “allied health assistant”) involves:

• Low-Risk Treatments: Performing general foot care, such as trimming toenails and basic treatments for patients assessed as low-risk
• Therapeutic Services: Administering machine-based therapies like Swift wart therapy, shockwave therapy, MLS laser treatments, and Lunula fungal nail therapy
• Support Functions: Assisting with strapping, orthotic fittings, and maintaining treatment rooms
• Collaboration with Practitioners

Working closely under the guidance of podiatrists, Cathy executes treatment plans prescribed by the practitioners. Clear communication ensures that any issues outside her scope are promptly addressed by a qualified podiatrist. This collaborative approach maintains high standards of patient care while optimising the use of resources.

How do Allied Health Assistants benefit Patients, Practitioners, and Clinics?

Enhanced Patient Access

By adding allied health assistants like Cathy to the team, Optimise Health has reduced wait times, allowing patients to receive timely care for low-risk treatments. This improvement in accessibility enhances patient satisfaction and overall clinic efficiency.

Optimized Practitioner Workloads

Podiatrists can now focus on complex cases that require their specialised expertise. Delegating appropriate tasks to assistants reduces the risk of burnout and increases job satisfaction among practitioners.

Financial Sustainability

The clinic implemented a thoughtful pricing strategy for services provided by assistants:

• Affordable Care: Services offered by Cathy are priced lower than those provided by podiatrists, making them an attractive option for patients
• Revenue Sharing: A portion of the revenue from assistant services contributes to the supervising practitioner’s earnings, ensuring they are financially compensated for their oversight
• Operational Efficiency: This model allows the clinic to maintain profitability while offering competitive pricing.

High rebooking rates and positive patient feedback attest to the success of integrating Allied Health Assistants. Patients appreciate the quality care and the continuity of service provided by the team.

Key Takeaways for Other Practices

Optimise Health’s experience emphasises the benefits of recognising and leveraging the potential within your existing team. By empowering team members who show initiative, clinics can foster innovative solutions that enhance the entire practice. Providing flexibility and support for employees pursuing further education not only cultivates a culture of growth and development but also pays dividends in staff retention and enriched service offerings.

A collaborative approach is essential for the successful implementation of new roles like that of an Allied Health Assistant. Open communication, trust-building, and shared goals ensure that all team members work cohesively toward improving patient care. Starting small by addressing specific challenges within your practice allows for incremental changes. This adaptability enables adjustments and refinements along the way, leading to a sustainable and effective model that benefits both patients and practitioners.