How We Built a PT Clinic That Puts Patients & Clinicians First (Growing PrehabPT)
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: The realities of burnout and lack of support in the PT profession Why better options for both patients and clinicians are needed How autonomy and support improve treatment outcomes 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