17 - Andrea Mendoza on What to Consider Before Specializing in Physiotherapy

Written By Danielle Boyd

Fan favourite Andrea Mendoza is BACK for Round 2!

In this episode of Health of Business, Danielle Boyd sits down with Andrea Mendoza to explore what clinicians should consider before specializing or niching in physiotherapy. Andrea shares how her early work in pediatrics and scoliosis led to a focused practice, and walks through the personal, clinical, and business factors that matter most when deciding whether to specialize. From market research and demographics to recruitment, marketing, and operational costs, this conversation offers a grounded look at what specialization actually requires behind the scenes. Whether you are a new grad, an experienced clinician feeling pulled toward a focus area, or a clinic owner considering a specialty service, this episode will help you think more clearly before making the leap. ⁠

LinkedIn Andrea Mendoza⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamendoza21/ ⁠

Andrea's Website⁠: andreamendoza.ca

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Timestamps:

  • 00:01 Welcome back and episode focus on specializing

  • 00:50 Andrea’s path from pediatrics to scoliosis and Schroth training

  • 03:10 Launching a focused practice and community demand

  • 05:23 What “specialty” really means in physiotherapy

  • 06:27 Should you specialize? Key personal and clinical considerations

  • 10:47 Using a SOAP-style framework to evaluate specialization

  • 12:07 Market research, demographics, and prevalence data

  • 15:29 When to move forward and the different ways to specialize

  • 19:23 New grad vs experienced clinician considerations

  • 22:30 Common ways clinicians choose a niche

  • 25:58 Starting narrow before expanding your services

  • 30:07 Risks of overspecializing and market limitations

  • 36:20 Business reality #1: recruitment and training

  • 41:15 Business reality #2: marketing and advocacy

  • 45:11 Business reality #3: operational systems and costs

  • 50:27 How to work with and follow Andrea

    Keywords:

    physiotherapy specialization | niche physiotherapy practice | should physios specialize | specialty physiotherapy clinic | physiotherapy business strategy | Canadian physiotherapy practice | BC physiotherapy business | physiotherapy in British Columbia | Health of Business podcast

Danielle Boyd
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