As a new clinician, it can be difficult to decide where to begin treatment with older adult patients. Will it be in a nursing home? Or a private clinic or a hospital? Each of these settings offers unique learning experiences and challenges.

House calls are another option, but they’re usually not a new clinician’s first consideration. After all, house calls mean driving to visit patients in their homes by yourself. That might feel uncomfortable and intimidating.

However, practicing therapy with older adults in their homes offers advantages a clinician can’t find in any other setting. And more importantly, house calls better serve the patients you have such a passion for.

When you work with FOX Rehabilitation, you’ll have the opportunity to change the lives of older adults by entering directly into their homes and lives. We believe this is the best model for care because patients and clinicians both have more freedom.

So while house calls may not be the first thing that comes to your mind, new clinicians may find FOX’s care model to be a perfect fit. We offer you autonomy, support, and the ability to make an ever greater impact on your patients.

Build Stronger Rapport With Your Patients

When older adults have appointments at gyms, clinics, or hospitals, they may only be allotted a short time with a clinician. At the same time, the clinician may also have a packed schedule and feel rushed. Making matters worse, appointments outside the home mean you have to simulate a patient’s home environment. Clinicians have to rely on patients’ recall of their homes (for example, the bathroom is X feet away from the bedroom). As a result, settings like these are not an ideal way to provide precise interventions and build real rapport.

When you visit patients in their own homes, you have some distinct clinical advantages, including:

Home access: You can work with the reality of a patient’s home, not a simulation you’re forced to recreate in a hospital or clinic. You’ll see their household items and daily routines firsthand and be able to incorporate them into therapies. You can also modify their home layouts as needed to provide greater safety.
Time: You’ll have hours each week, not minutes, to spend with your patients. With unrushed time, you’ll be better suited to practice close listening and make keener observations.
Rapport: When you’re in a patient’s home — and have the luxury of time — you can be a real positive force in her life. Spending time with your patients in their own home will encourage them to let their guard down. They'll be more comfortable sharing their concerns and telling you more about their life. Keep in mind that many older adults often feel neglected or isolated, so they'll welcome the opportunity to get to know you. Knowing your patients’ experiences and learning what they truly value will help you motivate them to achieve your desired outcomes.

Create Your Own Schedule for Clinical Home Visits

Clinicians often struggle to maintain a work-life balance. Many people who are called to care for others have a hard time prioritizing self-care. And if you are working for an employer who can’t (or won’t) advocate for you, you may end up working a schedule that simply isn’t sustainable. That can easily lead to frustration and burnout.

FOX clinicians design their own house call schedules and set up their own appointments with patients. As long as you meet your patient quota, you can set up a schedule that makes sense for you. Clinicians can work around personal appointments and modify their schedules if needed.

If you want every Tuesday morning off to get coffee with a friend, you can work Tuesday night instead. If you only want to work days, you’ll never be expected to work nights. And with the FOX model, your weekends always belong to you.

Changes in your life are inevitable. When you work with FOX, you’ll be able to adapt and adjust to whatever is ahead.

Learn From Your Experienced Clinician Mentor

When you are a clinician who does house calls, you don’t have a team of other clinicians surrounding you. It’s just you, your patient, and sometimes, other family members. But when you’re a new clinician, you’ll understandably have questions. And you’ll make mistakes. It’s only natural for you to want someone experienced nearby to help navigate your new role.

FOX empowers clinicians through our mentorship program. New hires are matched to veteran clinicians who act as supports and guides. While you’ll have a structured relationship with your mentor at the beginning of your time with FOX, the relationship continues beyond that. You’ll be encouraged to reach out any time with any challenges and concerns.

For example, if you’re on a patient visit and her vitals are unstable, you have to think on your feet. But if you need another expert opinion, you can call your mentor. She can walk you through the appropriate steps for that specific patient and situation. And before long, you’ll have more confidence and the experience to manage whatever happens in a patient’s appointment.

Mentors often become friends you can rely on for the duration of your clinical practice.

Continue Your Professional Development and Clinical Education

Even when you’re working independently as a FOX clinician, you should always be tapping into the knowledge of others. Your mentor will serve as a good teacher, but we offer many other avenues to further your clinical education.

As a member of the FOX team, you’ll have a free subscription to MedBridge, where you can learn techniques to use with any diagnosis. You can also take virtual classes and prepare for board certification. Clinicians also have access to the history of their patients’ interventions through our healthcare platform, Raintree. Here you’ll find all the documentation of your patient’s PT, OT, and speech interventions. It’s a practical way to learn documentation, and it’s also a great resource to help you get up to speed on what’s worked (and not worked) for your patient previously.

Fellow FOX clinicians can also provide a wealth of information. As you establish relationships with peers, you’ll swap stories, tips, and successes. Fresh FOX Content is another treasure trove of clinical resources. Our blog is free, inspiring, and constantly updated with advice and stories from other clinicians.

When you’re a new clinician working with FOX, house calls give you ample opportunities to learn independently while remaining fully supported. Your mentor and fellow clinicians can provide all the reinforcement you need as you begin your career. And you’ll value the connections you make with patients in their own homes for the entirety of your clinical life.