Work from home

There are a number of choices for physiotherapists when it comes to choices of premises. Some choose to see their clients in their own home while others look for a property or room to rent so that patients can come to them. Others decide to set up a home office where patients can come for treatment. There are pros and cons with every type of practicing situation.

The cheapest option for physiotherapists is to set up their own office at home. It can also offer other benefits such as tax benefits or balancing work and family life.

The benefits of using a home office to see clients include:

• There may be some tax breaks
• It is more convenient
• No travelling time
• No travelling expenes
• no commuter stress
• Working hours which suit
• low overhead and control of expenses (e.g. rent, utilities)
• increased and easier interaction with family
• easier to adjust the use of your time if a client cancels
• depending on your location your home office may be more convenient for your client

The disadvantages of consulting with clients in a home practice may include:

• may be perceived as less professional by clients and colleagues
• the difficulty of separating your work life from your personal life
• disruptions from family and friends
• temptation to overwork or work longer hours
• depending on the layout of living space, may be difficult to provide client with privacy by having a separate entrance and exit
• isolation from colleagues

Physio123 recommend the following suggestions to make your home office experience a more positive one for yourself and your patients:

• If possible it would be better to be able to totally separate your home office from you living area. This means providing a separate entrance and separate toilet facilities too. An ideal place to set up a home office would be a converted garage, basement or room at the side of the house.
• A separate home office gives you the privacy you need and cuts down on disruptions from others when returning phone calls, writing patient notes, or doing general office administration.
• Confidentiality is crucial and having a separate office with locked client files.
• A home office that is well-lit, with mood-enhancing colours, that is tidy and furnished with comfortable furniture will help to create the therapeutic atmosphere for you and your clients and create the image of professionalism required.
• If other people live in your house you will definitely need to invest in a separate business line for your practice. If you do not have a receptionist it is a good idea to get a cordless phone for times when you are not treating patients and may be in other parts of the house