Fitness in a multi-disciplinary health clinic
What is the culture at Mullum Fitness?
I’m working in a multi-disciplinary clinic together with a mix of other practitioners. We all have our own limitations within our professions so having multiple practitioners working together means we can offer something that others can’t and cater to a broader spread of clientele.
How did you initially establish this partnership?
I was looking to start my own business after having managed a fitness centre in the local area. I approached the chiropractor who works here, showed my interest and explained how working together could be mutually beneficial for both our clients. I was quite lucky, he was really keen to explore new avenues and it has proven to be a positive relationship for all involved.
Why is it so important to partner with health professionals?
Every client has a unique health history and often that is outside of your scope of practice as an exercise professional. It’s very important not to ignore that and to refer on to other health practitioners. The way we work together is that we will follow a staged program. Often people come in to see Brent the chiropractor first who will work with them to treat their acute problem. Once they are deemed ready they are referred to our in-house exercise physiologist. When the exercise physiologist and chiropractor feel comfortable the client will then participate in one-on-one sessions with me or be fed long-term into my group classes. It’s an ongoing health management system and if they ever have a problem again I can easily refer them back to the chiropractor.
As well as being in the best interests of clients, the fact that we are working with health professionals makes people feel safe and cared for and sets us apart from other fitness providers in the area.
Did you face any challenges when trying to establish referral networks?
We’ve been trying to establish a relationship with a local GP clinic for a long time. This has been challenging as they are often time poor. With time pressures also being an issue for trainers you can’t always be out promoting your skills and services. You need to rely heavily on word of mouth feedback filtering through to health professionals. Of the referrals that we have received from local GPs, these have been a result of positive feedback from our existing clients. When trying to connect with health professionals my advice to other trainers is to be patient while they get to know you and keep comprehensive records that clearly show the process you take when working with clients. They need to be confident in your expertise.
I can highly recommend working with a range of health practitioners as you learn a lot through the process and it inspires you to continue educating yourself and staying open to other practices and approaches.
Encourage your fitness professionals to learn practical tools and tips on how to work with local medical and health professionals, through the iLearn Exercise Referrals online CEC program.
For more information on Mulllum Fitness visit their website here.
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