#66: Patients or Profits?

In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP talk with "Polly" (not her real name), a seasoned speech-language pathologist working in a skilled nursing facility who bravely shares her experiences with unethical workplace practices. Polly sheds light on the troubling realities many clinicians face daily, from excessive productivity demands to profit-driven care models that compromise patient outcomes.

The conversation highlights the pressures of maintaining 85% productivity, the challenges of being denied resources like instrumental swallow assessments, and the ethical dilemmas of working within a system prioritizing profit over patient care. Polly discusses her efforts to advocate for herself and her patients while navigating a workplace culture of intimidation and fear of reprisal.

Listeners will learn practical strategies to protect themselves, such as conducting time audits, ensuring proper documentation, and securing private liability insurance. This episode is a powerful call to action for SLPs and healthcare professionals committed to challenging the status quo and fighting for meaningful change.