Info on contacting physicians for clearance etc.
About to get started independently. I’m not quite sure how the communications with physicians is supposed to work. What steps do we follow to get this information if needed.
Does the personal trainer get the client to obtain the exercise guidelines in some written form from the physician? Or does the PT contact the Dr’s office on their own? If so, do you call or fax the info to them?
I have no idea what to expect when it comes to communicating with medical professionals or their staff. Any info on that will help.
I agree with the others. I have guidelines that I use that will tell me when a Physician’s Approval is required, and when that is the case, I give the form to my client to obtain the approval directly from his/her physician. Of course, the physician is ALWAYS welcomed to contact me directly if he/she has any questions or concerns about what their patient will be doing with me, but otherwise the communication is between my client and the physician.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
I do the same as Jonathan and Karin, but customize the form for the client and their issue. I may also ask the physician specific questions that I would like clarification on (max BP for a client with hypertension, specific exercises to avoid for someone back to exercise after breaking a bone, any limitations for someone with type 2 diabetes that is controlled on insulin, etc).
I also let the physician know a little about me, my expertise, my certifications and how they can contact me if they have questions. I let them know I follow HIPPA regulations and the client knows I am contacting them for further guidance before beginning an exercise program. Lastly, I let them know why the client contacted me and what we’ll be working on, as well as any exercise programing I already have as a starting point for the client, so the physician knows my thought process on an exercise program for that client.
Jocelyn Martin
Hi Paul,
clients usually take it to the office and leave it at the front desk for the doctor to sign. They do no need to make an appointment for this alone but may take it when they need to see the doctor for other reasons.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com