By Dr. J. Gnanaraj, H.Charles Richard M.P.T., and S. Jebaseelan Joisingh, M.P.T.
Introduction
Pain experienced by patients can vary from very mild to extreme, and it can be localized or widespread, depending on the cause. The word “pain” itself is derived from the Latin word “poena,” which means a fine or penalty (1).
Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in most countries (2, 3). It is a major symptom in many medical conditions, and it can significantly interfere with a person's quality of life and general functioning (4).
Here, we present how a pain clinic run by physiotherapists could help in a general outpatient clinic.
Method
We reviewed the records of patients who attended the outpatient clinic at the SEESHA Karunya community hospital at Karunyanagar for a one-year period from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014. We also reviewed the data from the physiotherapy department, as well as data from a peripheral clinic (SEESHA Medical Center) for the same period.
Results
The income from the physiotherapy department, excluding the medicines, forms about 15% of the total outpatient department income. The physiotherapy income from the smaller unit was about 10% of the total OPD income. The items sold for physiotherapy are from surgical stores, and unlike the medicines, they have a higher profit margin. Hence, the physiotherapy items from pharmacy sales constitute about 18% profit from the pharmacy.
Table 1 lists the five most commonly treated conditions at the physiotherapy unit.
...
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indicates a Peer-Reviewed Article
Value of a Pain Relief Clinic with Physiotherapists in a General Outpatient Clinic
By Dr. J. Gnanaraj, H.Charles Richard M.P.T., and S. Jebaseelan Joisingh, M.P.T.
Introduction
Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in most countries (2, 3). It is a major symptom in many medical conditions, and it can significantly interfere with a person's quality of life and general functioning (4).
Here, we present how a pain clinic run by physiotherapists could help in a general outpatient clinic.
Method
We reviewed the records of patients who attended the outpatient clinic at the SEESHA Karunya community hospital at Karunyanagar for a one-year period from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014. We also reviewed the data from the physiotherapy department, as well as data from a peripheral clinic (SEESHA Medical Center) for the same period.
Results
The income from the physiotherapy department, excluding the medicines, forms about 15% of the total outpatient department income. The physiotherapy income from the smaller unit was about 10% of the total OPD income. The items sold for physiotherapy are from surgical stores, and unlike the medicines, they have a higher profit margin. Hence, the physiotherapy items from pharmacy sales constitute about 18% profit from the pharmacy.
Table 1 lists the five most commonly treated conditions at the physiotherapy unit.
...