Losing Your Passion for PT? Rediscover Your ‘Why’ in 4 Important Questions

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If you’re reading this, you’re probably feeling stuck, frustrated, or burnt out. You might be thinking: “Why am I losing my passion for physical therapy?”

Whether you’re feeling checked-out at the beginning of your career or well into it, you’re not alone. According to a study by the American Physical Therapy Association, up to 82.4% of physical therapists experience burnout. While burnout isn’t unique to this career path, it can cause PTs to lose sight of the reasons why their work is so vital. And perhaps even worse: It can obscure the path to fulfillment.

In this post, we’ll guide you through four questions to ask yourself when facing burnout as a physical therapist, along with some bonus questions to help you reflect on your journey. So, pull out your journal and find a quiet spot to reflect. It’s time to rediscover your “why!”

1. What is the hardest part of being a physical therapist?

Rediscovering your “why” can be tough when “why not” is constantly on your mind. If you’re burnt out and losing your passion for PT, you’re way more likely to feel overwhelmed by everyday stressors. It’s a vicious cycle that can leave you fatigued. An easy way to feel in control? Write it all out.

Hint: This exercise is for your eyes only, so don’t hold back! By being honest with yourself about everyday challenges, you can start figuring out which ones have the greatest impact.

Common challenges for physical therapists include:

Whew. Now hold that thought! We’ll talk about actionable solutions in question #3.

2. When did you first know you wanted to pursue this field?

Now that you’ve had a chance to let it all out, you might be feeling relief already. And good news: We’re going to lean in to the positivity with this next question!

Let’s think back to the very start of your career. What motivated you to pursue this specialty? Your journey to this point has been unique – but you may have a lot in common with colleagues in the therapy and rehab field. Personal motivators may include:

  • First-hand experience. Many PTs were set on their path after a life-changing injury and recovery process. This career path means you can pay it forward for others who face similar challenges.
  • Learning and problem-solving. One day, you’re just a kid with a keen interest in anatomy and body mechanics. The next, you’re helping a patient understand and improve their body’s performance.
  • Focus on fitness. If you love sports, hiking, running, weights, or other physical activities, it’s no surprise that you chose a highly active career! 
  • Meaningful impact. At the end of the day, therapy is about improving patients’ lives. In this profession, you get to connect with people from all walks of life – often for weeks or months at a time – and help them overcome pain or physical limitations.

Do you relate? By revisiting your initial motivation, you can reconnect with the passion that drove you to become a physical therapist in the first place. Going forward, there are many ways that you can keep your passion at the center of your practice.

3. What are your options?

Start with what’s realistic. You won’t cure your burnout and vanish your stressors overnight. Just like a patient who’s struggling with mobility issues or long-term pain, you need to think in terms of what is possible. Right now. At this moment.

Setting actionable goals can prevent apathy from taking hold. So let’s identify opportunities to create change, improve your day-to-day, AND directly address the factors identified in question #2. For example:

  • Getting caught up on documentation throughout the day leaves my head spinning. I even work late just to get it all done.
    SOLUTION: Including assistants in your workflow or upgrading your practice’s EMR technology can save valuable time, which adds up!
  • I’m always so exhausted after hours of hands-on manual therapy.
    SOLUTION: Can you shift toward treatment modalities that don’t take a toll on your own body?
  • It’s hard to be friendly and focused with patients all day. I’ve got my own stress to deal with!
    SOLUTION: In this case, ask: What resources (like counseling, mentorship, PTO, et cetera) are available to help you cope?

Of course, these are just examples. The important thing is to explore what’s possible and what will work for you – before you jump to the question, “What can I do instead of physical therapy?”

4. Who’s in your corner?

Once you’ve identified improvements you’d like to make to help revitalize your passion for PT, remember: You don’t have to do it alone!

For one thing, support is crucial when dealing with burnout. Who can you turn to for advice or guidance? Is there a mentor, colleague, or friend who can help you navigate these feelings? Reach out to your network and seek feedback and empathy.

Not only that, but community is an incredibly important part of building a fulfilling career, as well. If you’re overwhelmed, it’s likely that your colleagues are also feeling the crunch. You can be part of building a workplace culture that nourishes and supports everyone involved.

Bonus Questions

If you’re fired up and ready for more, here are some extra-credit career questions:

  • What are my long-term career goals within the physical therapy field?
  • What are my core values and how do they align with my career?
  • What skills or knowledge gaps could I address to help reignite my passion for physical therapy?

By taking the time to reflect, you can rediscover your “why” and create a path forward. Remember that burnout is normal. Seeking help and using creative problem-solving can lead to growth, new opportunities, and more satisfaction within the field.

Now, let’s end on one final piece of actionable advice: If documentation is a major pain point for your practice, Raintree can help. Schedule a demo to learn why our “Best in KLAS” EMR is the trusted choice for 6 out of 10 of the largest therapy groups.

This blog was created for educational and informational purposes only.  The information provided does not constitute or, is not intended to constitute, legal or medical advice. When you read this information, visit our website, or access our materials, you are not forming an attorney-client, provider-patient, or other relationship with us.

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Blogs are created for educational and informational purposes only.  The information provided does not constitute or, is not intended to constitute, legal or medical advice. When you read this information, visit our website, or access our materials, you are not forming an attorney-client, provider-patient, or other relationship with us.

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