In the dynamic landscape of modern private practice, the responsibilities of leadership and management are formidable, requiring dedication, commitment and strategic foresight. 

Incorrectly engaging a worker as an independent contractor can have serious implications for business owners and can leave new graduates (and inexperienced workers) exposed. 

If, for example, a patient slipped and fell on the premises of a physiotherapy practice, it’s possible for both the clinician and
their business to be held liable. 

However, there are several types of cover that can help protect physiotherapists and their businesses, one of which is entity insurance.

Physiotherapists are adept at using their skills beyond the clinical setting. To succeed in business, all it takes is one idea—an insight gleaned from practice that genuinely fills a gap in the market. Antony Hirst conducts a Q&A with Daniel Jones.

While working in private practice, Daniel Jones found that he was constantly treating ailments caused by wearing flat-
soled thongs. 

In a light bulb moment, he set out to develop a thong with orthotic support, creating the first prototypes in his grandparents’ shed. 

In the contemporary workplace, many workers now value non-monetary benefits such as flexibility and a healthy workplace over the traditional, monetary-based incentives that have previously reigned supreme. 

This does not mean that financial benefits are irrelevant; rather, it emphasises the importance of employers adopting a nuanced approach. 

It can be incredibly overwhelming for new employees to begin employment in a completely new workplace, whether it’s their first job after graduation or their tenth. 

It is in the employer’s best interest to facilitate the employee’s transition into the workplace as smoothly as possible and this is best done through an induction process. 

Preferred provider schemes (PPS), often synonymous with increased patient referrals and streamlined administrative processes, have become a cornerstone of modern healthcare delivery. 

Unpaid work, though occasionally contentious, can offer advantages to both employers and the individuals involved. 

Student placements, work trials and internships, for example, can grant employers a chance to train individuals new to an industry and to assess a person’s job skills while providing them with invaluable work experience and training. 

In October this year I presented at IGNITE 2023 in Brisbane, on the pre-conference business day. 

My topic was ‘Can Linda Evangelista teach physiotherapists anything?’ 

It echoed her famous statement that she wouldn’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 and implied that, as physiotherapists, we could learn something about valuing what we do.

Appearing in court can be daunting. Your duty in a court appearance is to provide honest, factual evidence of a matter from the point of view of your profession.