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Direct Access to Physical Therapists: An Advocate's Handbook

Direct Access to Physical Therapists: An Advocate's Handbook

Ryan Grella
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The statement that direct access to physical therapists endangers the health and safety of the public is nothing more than a myth perpetuated by those wishing to maintain their position in the healthcare status quo. Unfortunately this myth has been engrained into the mindset of the physical therapy profession and those that regulate its practice. In that regards, those that have fostered this myth have succeeded. They have also succeeded in keeping archaic laws on the books that have far outlasted their utility.

Healthcare has changed. As a result of rising costs patients are taking a more active role in their healthcare decisions as we shift from a physician gatekeeper model to a more consumer driven model. Physical therapist’s training has changed from an entry level baccalaureate degree to a post baccalaureate clinical doctorate with screening to determine the need for referral to another healthcare professional part of the curriculum of every school. The American Physical Therapy Association has a vision of transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience with physical therapists as a point of entry into the healthcare system. Direct access to physical therapists encourages patients to become more actively engaged in their own health care decision-making and to proactively address health care problems before they become more significant and costly impairments.

In virtually every state an individual with new onset back pain can seek out indefinite assistance from a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, or personal trainer without first seeing or consulting their physician, yet if they wanted to seek the expertise of a doctor of physical therapy including a continued course of treatment many states would deny them this privilege. Currently about 30 states have unrestricted direct access or direct access laws with minimal provisions in place. Collectively they represent 38% of the U.S population, while the remaining 62% of the population is faced with access barriers stemming from archaic laws in need of modernization. These arbitrary laws are based on zero evidence, delay or interrupt patient treatment, and add costs to the patient and healthcare system through fees incurred at physician offices.

In order to remove these barriers physical therapists must monitor and influence governmental bodies. Little known to many physical therapists and assistants is the fact that state and national legislators determine how physical therapy is practiced. None of them are sitting around and saying, “How can I help physical therapy and their patients?” It’s up to physical therapists to influence them in order to ensure the well being of their patients and profession. This is a monumental task for just one physical therapist, but collectively the profession’s voice is strong.

This handbook intends to serve as a resource for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, state physical therapy associations, lobbyists, and consumers who wish to achieve direct access or amend existing direct access provisions in their state practice acts. It consists of information about the legislative process, influencing and communicating with lawmakers, and most importantly direct access talking points and their associated references to be used when constructing favorable arguments and educating others.
Language
English
Pages
72
Format
Kindle Edition
Release
March 23, 2014

Direct Access to Physical Therapists: An Advocate's Handbook

Ryan Grella
0/5 ( ratings)
Read Download
The statement that direct access to physical therapists endangers the health and safety of the public is nothing more than a myth perpetuated by those wishing to maintain their position in the healthcare status quo. Unfortunately this myth has been engrained into the mindset of the physical therapy profession and those that regulate its practice. In that regards, those that have fostered this myth have succeeded. They have also succeeded in keeping archaic laws on the books that have far outlasted their utility.

Healthcare has changed. As a result of rising costs patients are taking a more active role in their healthcare decisions as we shift from a physician gatekeeper model to a more consumer driven model. Physical therapist’s training has changed from an entry level baccalaureate degree to a post baccalaureate clinical doctorate with screening to determine the need for referral to another healthcare professional part of the curriculum of every school. The American Physical Therapy Association has a vision of transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience with physical therapists as a point of entry into the healthcare system. Direct access to physical therapists encourages patients to become more actively engaged in their own health care decision-making and to proactively address health care problems before they become more significant and costly impairments.

In virtually every state an individual with new onset back pain can seek out indefinite assistance from a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, or personal trainer without first seeing or consulting their physician, yet if they wanted to seek the expertise of a doctor of physical therapy including a continued course of treatment many states would deny them this privilege. Currently about 30 states have unrestricted direct access or direct access laws with minimal provisions in place. Collectively they represent 38% of the U.S population, while the remaining 62% of the population is faced with access barriers stemming from archaic laws in need of modernization. These arbitrary laws are based on zero evidence, delay or interrupt patient treatment, and add costs to the patient and healthcare system through fees incurred at physician offices.

In order to remove these barriers physical therapists must monitor and influence governmental bodies. Little known to many physical therapists and assistants is the fact that state and national legislators determine how physical therapy is practiced. None of them are sitting around and saying, “How can I help physical therapy and their patients?” It’s up to physical therapists to influence them in order to ensure the well being of their patients and profession. This is a monumental task for just one physical therapist, but collectively the profession’s voice is strong.

This handbook intends to serve as a resource for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, state physical therapy associations, lobbyists, and consumers who wish to achieve direct access or amend existing direct access provisions in their state practice acts. It consists of information about the legislative process, influencing and communicating with lawmakers, and most importantly direct access talking points and their associated references to be used when constructing favorable arguments and educating others.
Language
English
Pages
72
Format
Kindle Edition
Release
March 23, 2014

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