Nothing is more important than health. That’s why it is essential to find a doctor who is as invested in a patient’s experience as they are in their outcome. First Coast Rehabilitation has been doing just that since opening its doors in 2006. Dr. Rob Stanborough and Dr. Jim Viti had a vision for an office where a patient’s experience was personalized through one-on-one patient interaction. Instead of having practitioners cycle through several patients at a time or having group sessions, they wanted to create a space where patients receive undivided attention. The multi-patient model, a common practice in healthcare, leaves patients feeling rushed, forgetting questions they might have, and decreasing the quality of care that someone receives.
How could a clinic give each patient forty-five minutes of a therapist’s complete focus? Dr. Stanborough explains that First Coast Rehabilitation’s success stems from the successful outcomes of their patients. The increased time therapists spend with their patients aids the healing process while adding the human aspect back into medicine. There’s time for patients to truly interact with their therapists and for the therapists to get to know more than their patients’ diagnoses. “We build relationships with our patients, and there are some people that I’ve seen off and on for almost twenty years, I’ve seen their family members and their friends.” Patients have the opportunity to stay with their therapist. They aren’t rotated unless they purposefully seek the insight of a therapist with specialized knowledge and training in an area that would benefit the patient. First Coast assigns each patient with his/her own therapist from initial visit through discharge, so there is no need to repeat what is wrong at every appointment or with several people.
Dr. Stanborough explains that having therapists who specialize in different aspects of care allows the practice to ensure continuity of care, allowing patients to maintain relationships with their therapists throughout their health journey. Patients have an expert to help them work through treatment options that will help resolve chronic pain, restore mobility, gain back function, and exceed their personal expectations of care. “We see people who are not at their best because they are injured, and we help them with their rehab and get their lives back together again. It’s very rewarding to help minimize somebody’s pain or help restore simple functions, and it’s even more rewarding if you can help them get back to their sports and their activities.” Their success stems from their approach to rehabilitation. Whether they are helping a professional athlete or a grandmother, they provide the same level of care. “We act kind of like coaches. We do a lot of the work upfront, but the goal is to get our patients to where they can manage the situation themselves at home and get back to the way they were before the problem set in.”
Individual treatments vary since every patient’s situation presents differently. Changes are made accordingly throughout the patient’s treatment. The goal is to empower their patients in every step of the process until they are able to maintain their health on their own. “There’s no cookie- cutter approach or rubber stamp visit. There’s no checklist to get through. We provide one-on-one care. We see how someone is doing, evaluate and adjust their plan of care and treatment.” The therapists utilize manual therapy as a crucial aspect of patient care. It allows therapists to manipulate muscles, joints, and tissues directly, promoting mobility, reducing pain, and enhancing overall function. The hands-on approach enables therapists to tailor their treatments to the needs of each patient and facilitates a faster recovery. “Our goals have always been to make a difference in the lives our patients, in our community and our profession. We are constantly seeking cutting-edge techniques to help advance our patient’s recovery.” Stanborough’s leadership in the innovative technique of dry-needling helped actively shape legislation in Florida, allowing patients to pursue another treatment option that has shown great success.
Many First Coast Rehabilitation therapists are not just practitioners but also educate and advocate within the field. They teach different techniques and practice concepts they have mastered through continued education and experience. They also use that skill of instruction with their patients. “There’s almost always something that we can do, even if it’s just patient education. For most patients, understanding what is going on makes a huge difference.” Dr. Bryan Olson, a partner at the clinic who specializes in vestibular care, has had patients start their day with the room is spinning and after treatment walk out no longer off balance. A recovery that is genuinely life-changing because someone gains back their independence and ability to enjoy their life. First Coast Rehabilitation is patient-centered, family- oriented, and community- focused. The entire practice centers on the idea that people deserve to have their health prioritized by playing an active part in their recovery. It’s a team approach with one therapist, one patient with one plan and one goal.
First Coast Rehabilitation
1 University Blvd
St. Augustine, FL 32086
(904) 829-3411
FirstCoastRehab.com
