scholarly journals The Revised APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant: Theory, Purpose, Process, and Significance

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lee Swisher ◽  
Peggy Hiller ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Deliberative Process ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistant ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

IntroductionIn June 2009, the House of Delegates (HOD) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) passed a major revision of the APTA Code of Ethics for physical therapists and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. The revised documents will be effective July 1, 2010.PurposeThe purposes of this article are: (1) to provide a historical, professional, and theoretical context for this important revision; (2) to describe the 4-year revision process; (3) to examine major features of the documents; and (4) to discuss the significance of the revisions from the perspective of the maturation of physical therapy as a doctoring profession.Process of RevisionThe process for revision is delineated within the context of history and the Bylaws of APTA.Format, Structure, and Content of Revised Core Ethics DocumentsThe revised documents represent a significant change in format, level of detail, and scope of application. Previous APTA Codes of Ethics and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant have delineated very broad general principles, with specific obligations spelled out in the Ethics and Judicial Committee's Guide for Professional Conduct and Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant. In contrast to the current documents, the revised documents address all 5 roles of the physical therapist, delineate ethical obligations in organizational and business contexts, and align with the tenets of Vision 2020.SignificanceThe significance of this revision is discussed within historical parameters, the implications for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, the maturation of the profession, societal accountability and moral community, potential regulatory implications, and the inclusive and deliberative process of moral dialogue by which changes were developed, revised, and approved.

Exploration of Content and Reach of Physical Therapy-Related Discussion on Twitter

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 1048-1055
Author(s):  
Carla Sabus ◽  
Blake Johns ◽  
Nathan Schultz ◽  
Kendra Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants ◽  
Temporal Events

Abstract Background Many individuals access and share health information on social networking sites. Previous studies have analyzed the social media site Twitter to discern public opinion related to health phenomena such as antibiotics, concussions, and flu. Physical therapy-related online discussions have not been studied. Objective The aim of this study was to explore content, participants, and structure of physical therapy-related discussions on Twitter. Design This study was observational. Methods Over 12 weeks, more than 30,000 physical therapy-related tweets were collected. A random sample of 100 tweets underwent preliminary analysis to determine broad categories including tweet author, tone, and theme. A second random sample of 100 tweets was analyzed to confirm categories. Once categories were established, a new sample of 1000 tweets was randomly selected for analysis and categorization. All study investigators categorized a shared collection of tweets to establish inter- and intrarater agreement. Twitter conversations were visualized using NodeXL. Results Intrarater and interrater agreement for tweet categorization was 95% and 89%, respectively. The distribution of the intended audience was 35.5% professional, 35.5% broad reach, and 29% public. The gross distribution of tweet tone was 63.1% neutral, 31.4% positive, and 5.6% negative. Twenty-eight percent of tweets were authored by physical therapists/physical therapist assistants and nearly one-half were categorized as “marketing.” Tweets tended to be “isolated,” not within a conversation, or consist of conversation within “tight crowds.” Limitations This study was purely observational. Social media content can be highly influenced by temporal events, which limits the generalization of specific findings. Conclusions Study results indicate that the reach of physical therapy-related tweets may not be as broad as intended by the author. Physical therapy professionals and the hospitals/clinics that employ them may need to implement strategies to be more intentional in reaching a broader audience with online messages.

scholarly journals Predictors of Physical Therapy Clinic Performance in the Treatment of Patients With Low Back Pain Syndromes

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 989-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Resnik ◽  
Dawei Liu ◽  
Vince Mor ◽  
Dennis L Hart
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Therapist Experience ◽  
Performance Group ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

Background and Purpose Little is known about organizational and service delivery factors related to quality of care in physical therapy. This study sought to identify characteristics related to differences in practice outcomes and service utilization. Subjects The sample comprised 114 outpatient clinics and 1,058 therapists who treated 16,281 patients with low back pain syndromes during the period 2000–2001. Clinics participated with the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc (FOTO) database. Methods Hierarchical linear models were used to risk adjust treatment outcomes and number of visits per treatment episode. Aggregated residual scores from these models were used to classify each clinic into 1 of 3 categories in each of 3 types of performance groups: (1) effectiveness, (2) utilization, and (3) overall performance (ie, composite measure of effectiveness and utilization). Relationships between clinic classification and the following independent variables were examined by multinomial logistic regression: years of therapist experience, number of physical therapists, ratio of physical therapists to physical therapist assistants, proportion of patients with low back pain syndromes, number of new patients per physical therapist per month, utilization of physical therapist assistants, and setting. Results Clinics that were lower utilizers of physical therapist assistants were 6.6 times more likely to be classified into the high effectiveness group compared with the low effectiveness group, 6.7 times more likely to be classified in the low utilization group compared with the high utilization group, and 12.4 times more likely to be classified in the best performance group compared with the worst performance group. Serving a higher proportion of patients with low back pain syndromes was associated with an increased likelihood of being classified in the lowest or middle group. Years of physical therapist experience was inversely associated with being classified in the middle utilization group compared with the highest utilization group. Discussion and Conclusion These findings suggest that, in the treatment of patients with low back pain syndromes, clinics that are low utilizers of physical therapist assistants are more likely to provide superior care (ie, better patient outcomes and lower service use).

scholarly journals Assimilation of the Patient Rights Law and Code of Ethics into Israeli Physical Therapy Services

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamar Jacob ◽  
Ilana Zilberstein
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Health Maintenance Organizations ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Patient Rights ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Maintenance

The ethical conduct of physical therapists is usually based on intuition rather than on theoretical knowledge. This study aimed to examine to what degree rules of ethics anchored in the Patient Rights Law and in the Physical Therapy Code of Ethics in Israel have been assimilated in physical therapy (PT) services. A qualitative study based on personal semi structured interviews with national directors of PT services in Israel was conducted. The directors think that the ethical conduct of physical therapists is based mainly on intuition and on self-perceived ethics rather than on learned principles. In their opinion, the Patient Rights Law and the PT Code of Ethics, as well as the activity of the Ethics Committee of PT, have probably contributed to raising awareness of the need to promote the issue of ethics, but there are still no structured training programs on this topic in any of the Health Maintenance Organizations. (HMOs). Collaboration between the Ethics Committee of PT and representatives of the clinical field and of academe has the potential to advance the knowledge, thinking and discussion on ethics within all the community in all PT facilities. Part of this process is the assimilation of ethical rules in the daily practice of physical therapists.

scholarly journals Identifying and Addressing Social Determinants of Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara E Felter ◽  
Jonathan Cicone ◽  
Lindsey Mathis ◽  
Deanna L Smith
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Academic Risk ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistant ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants ◽  
Support Students

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the health of people from communities of color and people of limited socioeconomic means in a disproportionate way due to social determinants of health (SDoH). The Centers for Disease Control defines SDoH as the “conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of life-risks and outcomes.” A related construct, social determinants of learning (SDoL), includes contextual conditions and variables that impact students’ ability to optimally participate in their education, including academic and clinical development. SDoL directly impact students’ ability to participate in the educational process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students struggling with SDoH and, by extension SDoL, may be more likely to have sick family members, caregiving responsibilities, food and housing insecurity, and obligations to supplement lost family wages. SDoL are also influenced by individual experiences within and outside of the classroom. Beyond bringing this matter to the attention of our profession, especially clinical and academic educators, we must take action to reach and support students who are at higher academic risk due to the SDoL. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) define SDoL, (2) explain how SDoL are impacting DPT and physical therapist assistant students, and (3) discuss actions that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can take to mitigate the effects of SDoL on current DPT and physical therapist assistant students.

scholarly journals Do As I Do: Exercise Habits of Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, and Student Physical Therapists

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 726-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Chevan ◽  
Esther M. Haskvitz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

BackgroundPhysical therapy practitioners are among the many health care professionals who can counsel their patients to address the public health care concern of physical inactivity. Health care providers who are physically active themselves are more likely to counsel patients on the benefits of activity.ObjectiveThe purposes of this study were: (1) to examine the leisure-time physical activity habits of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and student physical therapists in the United States using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American College of Sports Medicine (CDC-ACSM) recommendations and (2) to compare these habits with those of the general population and other health care professionals.DesignA cross-sectional survey design was used.MethodsThere were 2 data sources. A random sample of American Physical Therapy Association members completed an online survey that included questions about physical activity habits worded in same manner as the leisure-time activities section of the 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The final study sample comprised 1,238 participants: 923 physical therapists, 210 student physical therapists, and 105 physical therapist assistants. The 2005 NHIS public use data files were the source for the same information about the general US population and for a subset of health care professionals. Rates of participation in vigorous and moderate physical activity were analyzed.ResultsPhysical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and student physical therapists exercised at higher rates than adults and health-diagnosing professionals in the 2005 NHIS.LimitationsThe study may be limited by sampling and response bias.ConclusionsThis study identified that physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and student physical therapists are meeting CDC-ACSM physical activity guidelines at higher rates than the US adult population and health-diagnosing professionals. These rates exceed the physical activity targets set for adults in Healthy People 2010.

scholarly journals Patient Participation in Physical Therapy Goal Setting

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 1118-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M Baker ◽  
Helen H Marshak ◽  
Gail T Rice ◽  
Grenith J Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Patient Participation ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Initial Examination ◽  
Goals And Objectives

Abstract Background and Purpose. An important part of treatment planning in physical therapy is effective goal setting. The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice recommends that therapists should identify the patient's goals and objectives during the initial examination in order to maximize outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether therapists seek to involve patients in goal setting and, if so, what methods they use. Therapists' attitudes toward participation and patient satisfaction with the examination were also examined. Subjects and Methods. Twenty-two physical therapists audiotaped the initial examination of 73 elderly patients (X̄=76.4 years of age, SD=7.1, range=65–94). The audiotaped examinations were then scored using the Participation Method Assessment Instrument (PMAI) to determine the frequency of attempts made by therapists to involve patients in goal setting. Therapists and patients completed surveys following the examinations. Results. Therapists' use of participation methods during examinations ranged from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 19 out of 21 possible items on the PMAI. The therapists stated that they believed that it is important to include patients in goal-setting activities and that outcomes will be improved if patients participate. Patients also indicated that participation is important to them. Discussion and Conclusion. In most cases, the therapists did not fully take advantage of the potential for patient participation in goal setting. Patient and therapist education is needed regarding methods for patient participation during initial goal-setting activities.

Contributions of Non-professional Local Physical Therapist In the Promotion of Community Health Activities in the Arsi Zone, Southeast Ethiopia (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leta Melaku
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Arsi Zone ◽  
Southeast Ethiopia ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Physical activity is a first-line therapy and secures against persistent illnesses. Essential medical care professionals are obviously situated to advance actual action. Active recuperation mediations focused on advancement and upkeep of wellbeing, personal satisfaction, and wellness. There is, notwithstanding, a deficiency of such examination proof in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE We planned to assess the degree of KAP of nonprofessional local physical therapists' towards wellbeing advancement in Arsi zone of Oromia, Southeast Ethiopia. METHODS Community based cross sectional study was conducted in April 2018 among 45 physical therapists. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured and self-administrative questionnaires. Participants were selected by quota sampling technique. The questionnaire was drafted specifically to test the KAP. Data were double entered and analyzed by SPSS Version 20.0 program. Descriptive statistics were used. The KAP were estimated using proportion. RESULTS In present response rate is 90.0%. Ages of respondents ranged between 24 – 87 years. 57.8% of participants got initial physical therapy knowledge from either of their parents. 53.3% of the respondents hear about health promotion from families and friends. 57.8% of them provided health promotion at their workplace. The overall percentage of all the respondents’ KAP in health promotion was 60.1%. CONCLUSIONS The respondents’ have good KAP towards health promotion. However there is still room for improvement. Also there is a lack of proper guide lines in determining the impact physical therapy.

Awareness and Perception of Physical Therapy Education, Role in Patient Management and Health Promotion Held by Senior Medical Practitioners

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
OJS Admin
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Therapy Education

Physical therapists are integral part of health care system. In collaboration with other health providers, physical therapist can play an effective role in patient handling and well-being of individuals. The awareness and perception of senior medical practitioners is less known regarding physical therapy education, role in patient management and health promotion.

scholarly journals Value-Based Care for Musculoskeletal Pain: Are Physical Therapists Ready to Deliver?

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor A Lentz ◽  
Adam P Goode ◽  
Charles A Thigpen ◽  
Steven Z George
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Early Physical Therapy ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Abstract Early physical therapy models hold great promise for delivering high-value care for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. However, existing physical therapist practice and research standards are misaligned with value-based principles, which limits the potential for growth and sustainability of these models. This Perspective describes how the value proposition of early physical therapy can be improved by redefining harm, embracing a prognostic approach to clinical decision making, and advocating for system-wide guideline-adherent pain care. It also outlines the need to adopt a common language to describe these models and embrace new, rigorous study designs and analytical approaches to better understand where and how early physical therapy delivers value. The goal is to define a clear path forward to ensure physical therapists are aligned within health care systems to deliver on the American Physical Therapy Association’s vision of high-value care in a rapidly changing health care environment.

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