The Effects Of Physical Therapists On The Medical Field

Physical therapy is the treatment of deformity, injury, or disease by healthcare professionals, physical therapists, through hands-on methods such as massage, exercise, or heat treatment so that drugs or surgery may not be needed. In physical therapy sessions therapists work with patients to help them improve their movement so that they are able to manage their pain. Physical therapy is an active profession with a scientific base that helps patients to restore and to maintain optimal physical function. Physical therapists take an active role in the rehabilitation process, in prevention and health maintenance programs, and in fitness and wellness programs (PT Careers, 2015). Their services are covered by private, state, and federal insurance plans, and therapists make a positive impact on the lives of their patients.

This frees up the physician’s schedule to see only the medically necessary patients, whereas PTs can share the load of musculoskeletal evaluations. Mitchell and Lissovoy published a study in 1994 on the cost effectiveness of direct access to PTs. They found that the costs for PT visits were 123% higher when patients were first seen by a physician as compared to when they were seen by a physical therapist directly. Establishing close working relationships between medical doctors and PTs, with a 2-way referral of patients, is essential to reduce not only unnecessary referrals, but also improve patient satisfaction and create an efficient process for reducing overall medical costs.

The job I plan on pursuing with kinesiology as my major is to become a physical therapist, which is also known as PT. Their main duty is helping patients rehabilitate with disabling injuries such as fractures, arthritis and low-back pain. Their duty is to help patients their relieve pain, increase mobility, and decrease long-term physical disabilities. Physical therapists focus on the evaluation of strength, balance, range of motion, co-ordination, endurance, and posture of each individual patient. Their patients can range from different age groups from infants to grandparents. The age group would provide a variety of therapeutic exercises for each of the health issues they would have. Depending

Life can change in a split second when an unanticipated injury or disease hinders someone’s normal daily life. Modern medicine, physicians and families can only do so much but physical therapy can help recoup the life many of us take for granted. It often isn’t until we lose something that we as humans realize what we had such as the value of our body’s ability to take us through each day. A physical therapist is the person who stays with a patient for the duration of the rehabilitation process. A physical therapist leads the patient through the process of regaining physical strength and helps the patient regain control of their future. Much like many careers that involve interaction with individuals, physical therapy reaches beyond

When she sees a patient for the first time she talks to them about the doctor’s report and asks specific questions about their injury or experiences leading up to the need for physical therapy. Megan explained how important it is to make the patient feel comfortable and keep a positive attitude towards the patient’s recovery. These consultations were the most interesting to sit in on because it allowed me to observe the therapist’s ability to take the patient’s information and create a diagnosis and treatment plan for the injury or pain described. Megan may have multiple patients at a time so she stressed the importance of keeping up with each patient and why the physical therapy techs are so helpful. Scheduling is another job of the therapists that is important in keeping the clinic running smoothly. There is also paperwork that has to be filled out for every patient after every visit about their

The day-to-day writing in the field of Physical Therapy varies depending on the audience. The audience determines the purpose of the writing and writing style. Physical Therapists (PT) use evidence-based exercises and activities to rehabilitate their patients in order for them to reach their unique goal. Since PT’s work with both medical professionals and patients, they must adjust their writing to be able to communicate effectively. PT’s are just one of the many people in the medical field that may work with a particular patient so it is important that the communication between the different layers of the medical field are precise and clear. Writing to a patient is also important because they are the person who is being directly affected

So, I am going to clear up some of these myths. These myths are from a article I read called 7 Direct Access Myths Debunked. One topic is that it only applies to private outpatient Physical Therapy Practices. The truth is that is applies to many other areas as well like private pay home care or sports field and performing arts venues, etc. So it's not just applied for one group. If you really need serious go to a physical therapy clinic but you still might have to get approval from your primary care physician. Another Myth is that Direct access doesn’t exist in every state. That is somewhat true but there are different levels of direct access. A state my just limit the amount or put a limit on it. So a form of direct access does exist in every state so you just have to figure out what works best for you. Mississippi is one of the six states that has strict limitations that still require approval. Another myth is that allowing patients coming without a referral from their physician puts their health at risk. “Physical Therapist are doctoral-level medical professionals whose training and education make them more than qualified to not only conduct initial evaluations, but also recognize when a patient’s medical needs fall outside of their scope”(Andrus). Physical Therapist are doctors. They go to med-school like every other doctor does. They can see when a Patient needs therapy or not. According to Apta’s Guide of Professional Conduct it is required that PT’s should evaluate the patient for signs and symptoms of damage for therapy. A doctor would not just treat someone without evaluating

Under the old Georgia Physical Therapy Act, a physical therapist was allowed to examine and evaluate of patient or client without a referral source. The only treatment a physical therapist could provide without a referral source was in the area of fitness, wellness, or prevention that was not related to an injury. Effective July 1, 2015, the current Georgia Physical Therapy Act grants physical therapists limited direct access, or the terminology used in the act is self-referral. Under the new practice act a patient who self-refers can be seen by a physical therapist for a maximum of 21 days or eight visits before required to have a referral from the patient’s provider. (Georgia Physical Therapy Act, 2015). A stipulation is that a written disclosure must be provided to the patient that the physical therapy diagnosis is not a medical diagnosis. (Georgia Physical Therapy Act, 2015). Additionally, a provider referral is not required for patients who return for treatment within 90 days that have been previously diagnosed with a chronic musculoskeletal condition (Georgia Physical Therapy

Without the repetitive boredom of traditional therapy patients can look forward to seeing their physical therapist and focus less on their injuries.

As a practicing physical therapist in the state of Georgia, and over 35 years of clinical experience in this healthcare field, I am writing to you today to gain the support of your insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) in the recent achievement of direct access for physical therapists in Georgia. Currently, patients in the state of Georgia now have direct access to physical therapists without the requirement of a physician referral; however under the current health care system physical therapists are still prevented from providing necessary medical treatment to patients, on the account of that services rendered under direct access are not reimbursed by BCBSGA. This extra step places a burden to the consumer by increasing

According to Direct access utilization survey done by APTA in 2010 state with unrestricted direct access for more then 10 years 69% therapist report that their direct access patient contain only 10% of their patient population and this 10% consist of former patient, their relatives and friends. Even though most of the reimbursement companies including medicare doesn’t required initial referral from physician, 64.7% therapist identified reimbursements limitation is one of the primary reason behind lower number of direct access patient (APTA 2010). I work for one of the largest and lidding health care provider company in United state and company policy dictate that we have to have physician referral in order to evaluate and treat patient in all settings.

Physician owned physical therapy services (POPTS) are organizations in which a physician can financially gain from referring physical therapy services to an institution in which they have ownership or some sort of financial stake in the company of referral. This is commonly known as referral for profit.1 An example of POPTS is an orthopedic surgeon owning his/her practice that employs physical therapists to which he/she only refers their patients. This type of referral not only gives unfair advantage to the physician owner; it more importantly takes away from the patient’s choice of provider. This issue has been a source of controversy for some time. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has been in opposition to POPTS since the late 1970s. This opposition did not gain traction until the Stark legislation in the 1990s; which

Authors Emma K. Stokes and Tracy J. Bury state "Attaining professional autonomy is a high priority for physical therapists and their professional organizations" (Global View 450). According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, it has been proven that patients are able to receive services from physical therapist without getting a referral from other healthcare professionals (450). This topic has not only raised concern within the country but also worldwide. Direct access to physical therapy is a concern to some legislators; however, forty-three out of the fifty states now allow direct access to physical therapists. Direct access not only decreases the cost for patients but is has an overall better outcome for patients as well. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy states "This diverse and highly specialized workforce provides opportunities for a variety of disciplines to function in primary care roles to improve access and reduce cost by eliminating unnecessary provider visits" (Challenges to Policy Adoption). Direct Access is the better and more efficient way for some people to go when seeking treatment. This is why direct access is becoming a leading benefit to human society today.

Physical therapy has grown increasing more useful as the years’ progress and more is learned about the human body and its movements, interactions, and mechanisms. Someone may go to physical therapy for injury, recovery, in order to maintain function, or even due to a stroke and is trying to work on walking again. Patients of a physical therapist can include, but is not limited to, elderly, children, accident victims, athletes, those with conditions such as arthritis or fractures, etc. The possibilities are endless for potential physical therapy patients (Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences).

The best method to reach the targeted market is through referrals by word of mouth and by social media such as Facebook, Google reviews, Yelp, Twitter, and YouTube. Reviews help boost star-rating and most individuals will choose the highest rating, the best reviews, and overall the best physical therapy office. That’s how I chose RSM PT I wanted to be at the best physical therapy office in my area and I would assume the same for a patient. RSM PT uses external marketing by offering a reward when the consumer makes a review on Yelp. Using previous success stories (reviews) to allow others to read on their overall experience with therapy and satisfaction can help increase referrals. As well as using internal marketing with the staff in the break room; by having a chart with stars and a prize to the team who has the most reviews at the end of the month. Another form of promoting is offering direct access, as of January 1, 2015 patients can receive an evaluation and treatment without a physician prescription. At one point restrictions were placed on direct access that limited duration and visits, however state legislatures fought to amend these statutes (Gardner, 2015). Therefore, allowing physical therapists to deliver their level of expertise to access treatment more efficiently. RSM PT values the benefits direct access offers by providing 30-60 minute evaluation followed by treatment. A diagnosis will be needed from a physician to continue treatment if patients exceed 45 days or 12 visits with their