Profitable Compassion: Diverse Approaches to Creating Spasticity Clinics-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session, led by physiatrists Zach Bohart, Christina Kwasnika, Tiffany Sheehan, and Atul Patel, focused on creating and managing successful spasticity clinics through diverse approaches across academic and private practice settings. They emphasized the challenges of identifying and treating patients with spasticity early to prevent severe complications, sharing Barrow Neurologic Institute’s integration of stroke programs with rehab and outpatient clinics for continuous patient care. Tiffany Sheehan highlighted the importance of quality improvement programs, multidisciplinary collaboration, clear goals, education, and data collection to improve patient outcomes and access to care, demonstrating the use of process mapping and PDSA cycles to refine workflows and track compliance.<br /><br />Dr. Bohart shared his journey of developing a spasticity-only clinic, balancing academic and private practice demands and underscoring the need to follow personal career passion while building a financially viable practice. He advocates for learning billing, coding, and collaboration with multiple specialists to best serve patients.<br /><br />Atul Patel discussed the importance of adaptability and focusing on patient function and quality of life. He encourages physiatrists to start addressing spasticity care regardless of setting by creating networks, delivering multimodal treatments, and continuously improving their practice’s efficiency and patient care. He stressed that most patients with spasticity are undertreated and highlighted that even small improvements can be meaningful.<br /><br />Panelists also discussed practical aspects such as using imaging guidance for injections, billing strategies including E&M codes, and managing insurance obstacles, stressing thorough knowledge of coding and revenue cycle management. They agreed teamwork, keeping staff motivated, and prioritizing patient-centered care is vital for a thriving, effective spasticity practice.

Keywords

spasticity clinics

physiatrists

stroke programs

rehabilitation

outpatient clinics

quality improvement

multidisciplinary collaboration

process mapping

PDSA cycles

billing and coding

patient-centered care

imaging guidance