Feb 17 2025 36 mins 4
In this episode of The Prehab Podcast, Dr. Michael Lau sits down with Dr. Adelle Smener to share the journey of building PrehabPT, their Los Angeles-based physical therapy clinic. They break down the challenges clinicians face, the flaws in traditional PT, and how PrehabPT is redefining patient care and clinician autonomy.
The conversation dives into:
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The realities of burnout and lack of support in the PT profession
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Why better options for both patients and clinicians are needed
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How autonomy and support improve treatment outcomes
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The unique challenges of running a PT clinic as a married couple
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:14 - The Origin of Prehab’s In-Person Clinic
06:27 - Navigating Early Career Challenges in PT
10:48 - The Overlooked Cause of Burnout in Healthcare
13:34 - Searching for the Right Fit in PT
15:09 - How We Built a PT Model That Works for Clinicians & Patients
18:16 - Physical Therapy is Not One-Size-Fits-All
19:25 - You Didn’t Fail PT—PT Might Have Failed You
20:28 - How We Personalize Care for Every Patient
25:57 - Working With Your Spouse: Challenges & Lessons
33:37 - The Role of PTs & Access to Care
36:29 - Where to Find Dr. Adelle Smener
