Protecting Your Practice Without Fear - 01/12/26
Protecting Your Practice Without Fear
UNCAGED CLINICIAN
Blog
January 12, 2026
Risk management!
As we kick off a new year, many clinicians find themselves reflecting on their careers, their businesses, and what’s possible beyond the traditional path.
With that being said, be sure to read until the end to learn about a special 2-week "Traction Accelerator" coming up!
For this week's edition of The UNCAGED CLINICIAN blog, I sat down with Dr. Michael Uzar, PT, to explore a topic that often feels intimidating—but doesn’t have to be: risk management.
Michael’s journey from PTA to PT to founder of Rehab Risk Consulting is a powerful example of what it truly means to be an uncaged clinician.
His story highlights not only the importance of managing risk in your practice, but also how transferable your skills really are—whether you stay clinical, build a business, or step into a non-clinical role.
Michael began his career much like many clinicians: working across multiple settings, including home health and outpatient orthopedics, with a heavy focus on manual therapy.
Like many PTs, he even attempted to start a cash-based practice—an experience that later helped him recognize the hidden fears and risks that often hold clinicians back.
His career took a pivotal turn when he was offered an opportunity to step into a risk management role within a health system.
At the time, he didn’t fully understand what risk management entailed—but the hiring team saw something important: transferable skills.
“They told me they knew I didn’t have experience,” Michael shared, “but they believed I had the skills that could translate.”
That moment opened his eyes to a bigger truth: clinicians are not limited to one lane. Skills like communication, clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and relationship-building extend far beyond direct patient care.
The First Big Lesson: Imposter Syndrome is a lie
One of the biggest takeaways from Michael’s story is how he navigated imposter syndrome. He applied for a role he wasn’t “perfectly qualified” for—and got it.
Why? Because expertise is built, not inherited.
No one starts as an expert. Everyone learns by doing, by seeking mentorship, and by surrounding themselves with people who’ve walked the path before. Michael pursued additional education in health law and healthcare compliance, while also learning directly from experienced risk professionals.
The lesson is clear: don’t let a lack of experience stop you from taking the first step.
What Is Risk Management—Really?
At its core, risk management is about protecting what matters most in your business.
Michael breaks it down into three key areas:
Protecting your assets – minimizing legal and financial exposure
Protecting your license – avoiding actions that could lead to disciplinary issues
Protecting your reputation – maintaining trust within your community and referral network
Many clinicians assume risk management is only about lawsuits or malpractice insurance. In reality, it’s much broader—and often more impactful in the day-to-day operations of your practice.
One of the most powerful insights in my conversation with Michael was gaining the realization that Reputation Is your most valuable asset
Patients may tolerate honest mistakes when they know, trust, and like you.
Research consistently shows that transparent communication, timely disclosure, and sincere apologies significantly reduce the likelihood of complaints, claims, or lawsuits.
More importantly, reputation affects your long-term growth.
A single unresolved patient experience can ripple outward:
Negative word-of-mouth
Poor online reviews
Lost referrals from physicians
These impacts may not show up immediately on your P&L—but over time, they quietly erode your practice.
Business owners need to be aware of common blind spots that create unnecessary risk.
Many of the biggest risks in a practice aren’t dramatic—they’re subtle and operational. Michael highlighted several common blind spots that clinicians and owners often overlook:
Medical record requests & HIPAA compliance
Social media posts involving patient stories or images
Use of AI tools without clear policies
Improper or rushed informed consent conversations
Patient termination without a clear process
Pelvic health chaperone policies
Falls, parking lot incidents, or on-site injuries
These situations don’t always result in lawsuits—but they can consume time, energy, and emotional bandwidth if you’re unprepared.
Risk management isn’t about fear—it’s about clarity.
Risk Management vs. Liability Insurance
Insurance is essential—but it’s reactive.
Risk management is proactive.
Insurance helps when something goes wrong. Risk management helps reduce how often things go wrong in the first place—and how much damage they cause when they do.
Simple policies, staff education, and clear processes can dramatically lower your exposure while freeing you to run your business with confidence.
Understand that freedom comes from understanding risk.
Ironically, understanding risk doesn’t make you more cautious—it makes you more confident.
When you can quickly identify whether an issue is a patient experience concern or a true legal risk, you stop operating from fear.
You communicate more openly, lead more effectively, and make better decisions.
That’s the true goal of risk management: not restriction, but freedom.
Thinking Beyond the Clinic: Skills That Transfer Anywhere
Michael closed the conversation with advice for clinicians considering non-clinical or alternative roles:
Your skills are not narrow—they’re highly transferable
Communication, sales, education, and leadership are already part of your daily work
Growth requires risk—but staying stuck is its own risk
Whether you remain in patient care or step into a new arena, your clinical background is an asset—not a limitation.
If this topic has peaked your interest, you can learn more about risk management directly from Michael as he offers educational opportunities designed specifically for rehab professionals, including CEU courses, certifications, and fractional consulting for practice owners.
You don’t need to eliminate risk to grow.
You just need to understand it.
When you do, you’ll find yourself practicing, leading, and building with far more confidence—exactly what it means to live as an uncaged clinician.
To learn more about Risk Management, visit RehabRiskConsulting.com Michael will be hosting a CEU-accredited seminar in February (2026)!
Want to get your new practice up and running quickly?
We are offering a firehose of a crash course Jan 27,29 and Feb 3,5 where we will move your through the key components of starting your business.
In addition to the four teachings, we will be offering a 1-hour 1:1 coaching call to review specific things with you, directly!
Links to register are coming!
In the meantime, if you are interested in more information, send me an email to david@uncagedclinician.com and simply say, "I want to know about the Traction Accelerator!"
Also, be sure to check out our website for other resources!
Your Success is our success!
The UNCAGED team
