Time is defined as, “the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues.” There are many sayings that relate to time.
- “Time is money.” – Benjamin Franklin
- “Time waits for no one.” – Folklore
- “Lost time is never found again.” – Benjamin Franklin
- “Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” – Theophrastus
- “Time is the wisest counselor of all.” – Pericles
- “There is one kind of robber whom the law does not strike at, and who steals what is most precious to men: time.” – Napoleon
Time is a constant, yet as the world that we live in becomes more demanding than ever, we spend less of it doing what in hindsight seems to be the most precious of commodities. For supplier/ATPs and therapists, we have seen the trend of increasing requirements for timeliness, all while increasing our caseloads and productivity requirements. So, where does all the time go? As the global CRT community endures changes in the past six months due to the pandemic, funding changes, new product launches and a new emphasis on telehealth, it’s easy to try and stick to your comfort level and past experience when it comes to the service delivery model of CRT equipment. You have likely heard the saying, “We have always done it this way.” This saying resonates with me and the CRT industry now more than ever.
“The times, they are a changing.” – Bob Dylan
The CRT community has been hit from all sides over the past few years and we have overcome most all of the barriers set in our path. There are many processes that can be revamped to increase efficiencies, timeliness, and overall outcomes of the CRT service delivery process. Some concepts that have not changed are the time it takes to complete an in-depth evaluation; how long it takes a new user to understand and use their recommended mobility equipment safely and efficiently and the duration and number of visits that a developmentally challenged child requires to comprehend mobility. With the numerous time-saving opportunities that are available to CRT to increase efficiency, the factors that you cannot change are human. Over the past decade or two, I have noticed a decrease in time associated with the evaluation, documentation, delivery and fitting as well as follow-up training. I’m certain that part of the culprit is the high demands of the world that we live in, both professional and personal.
My hopes are simple and are in line with the clients that we serve day in and day out. When it comes to our clients, their goals regarding independence and function must always be paramount. If we continue to decrease the amount of time that we spend with each specific client, there is no telling where the landslide will end. We all struggle to ensure that we are distributing our time appropriately with all our responsibilities. In CRT, we pride ourselves ion creating custom mobility solutions for individuals with a wide array of capacities and limitations. How can we ensure the best outcomes if we don’t spend the most valuable time focusing on clients’ specific needs? I doubt that you would disagree with me on the client-centered approach, so let’s do what Mahatma Ghandi said and “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
What I really want to impress upon folks is that you can cut time with operations and procedures, but you should never cut time out of the client assessment. It is the most important component to the recommendation process.
“The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery
J.B. Radabaugh, CTRS, ATP/SMS
Clinical Education Manager Eastern U.S.
Quantum Rehab
About J.B. Radabaugh: J.B. is a recreational therapist, ATP/SMS and the Clinical Education Manager for Quantum Rehab in the Eastern U.S.. In his spare time, J.B. enjoys watching his two daughters grow, backpacking, camping and fly fishing.
