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Patient's Benefit from Direct Access

5/29/2015

5 Comments

 
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Last week I was speaking with a medical doctor from Michigan who plainly stated, "I do not see why physical therapists need a doctorate degree to exercise people." It was in this moment that I could have ruined that relationship OR made it stronger. Trust me, I thought about answering it in a demeaning manner, but I didn't. I respectfully gave her an answer that changed her understanding of our profession. If you have been a physical therapist or PT student for any appreciable amount of time, you have likely encountered this question: "Why do Physical Therapists need a doctorate degree?" Answering this question can be frustrating, especially when it is being asked by a referral source. However, knowing the answer to this question is important & how you answer it can change people's viewpoint of what physical therapist's do. 

To answer my question above, I educated the doctor that we need our doctorate degree to ensure that the patient is appropriate for exercise. I need to make sure that my patient's shoulder pain is truly musculoskeletal pain and not cardiogenic pain. I then went on to explain that physical therapists do more than exercise. We specialize in regional interdependence, joint dysfunctions, neuromuscular disorders, and pain science. Additionally, our doctorate degree allows us to have direct access. In many states, physical therapists can now see a patient without needing a physician's referral. Several studies have shown that direct access can lower costs, expedite care, and decrease usage. A 2015 PT study out of San Antonio, Texas found that individuals immediately seen by physical therapists had lower costs and underwent fewer tests than those with a delayed referral to PT. Research is emerging on the benefits of direct access for physical therapy.      

When someone asks why Physical Therapists need a doctorate degree, view it as a learning opportunity. People do not understand what physical therapists do. Having a concise answer to this question is important. Teach them! 

Jim 


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"Oh, My Aching Wallet."

By: Jim Heafner

Picture
Exercise of the Week

5 Comments
Glenn
5/29/2015 11:07:24 am

In Canada we have Master's of Physical Therapy, and yet patients have had direct access to physical therapy longer than some states.

Registered nurses and pharmacists are also involved with clinical-reasoning and have a broad understanding of medicine with their patients, yet they only have bachelors degree.

The concept of progressively advancing the PT profession by increasing the educational status/title, years of study and research in the program and having more responsibilities in the work force is understandable, but it is not any more necessary than a Master's degree.

Although I agree that 3 years is more reasonable than 2 years given the material, it is otherwise an unnecessary money-grab that will not earn you any more money or patients seeking treatment than someone with a bachelor's degree with many years of experience.

Reply
Will
5/31/2015 01:14:34 am

Stopped reading after the "In Canada..."

Reply
Glenn
6/1/2015 11:14:38 am

Disrespectful, ignorant and cocky... please tell me which proud nation that you represent?

Jake
6/2/2015 01:01:43 am

You do not NEED a masters degree to effectively practice PT either. What you NEEd is a patient centered approach with proper values/virtues that properly reflect that patient centered approach. The DPT allows new clinicians more time to develop these values/virtues as well as more entry level clinical experience and decision making that will better facilitate the patient centered approach. So the DPT has furthered the profession in the fact that we are better armed with the skills and knowledge to serve the patient.

Reply
Elizabeth
7/30/2015 02:24:12 pm

I thought I recognized my former instructor an the gold curtain. Rockhurst is the best, lots of clinical reasoning and great mentors. Focus on problem solving and as you can see, professionalism.

Reply



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  • Home
  • About Us
  • TSPT Academy
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Orthopedic Blog
    • Featured Articles
    • Research Articles
    • Residency Corner
  • Special Tests
    • Cervical Spine >
      • Alar Ligament Test
      • Bakody's Sign
      • Cervical Distraction Test
      • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
      • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
      • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
      • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
      • Segmental Mobility
      • Sharp-Purser Test
      • Spurling's Maneuver
      • Transverse Ligament Test
      • ULNT - Median
      • ULNT - Radial
      • ULNT - Ulnar
      • Vertebral Artery Test
    • Thoracic Spine >
      • Adam's Forward Bend Test
      • Passive Neck Flexion Test
      • Thoracic Compression Test
      • Thoracic Distraction Test
      • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
    • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
      • Active Sit-Up Test
      • Alternate Gillet Test
      • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
      • Extensor Endurance Test
      • FABER Test
      • Fortin's Sign
      • Gaenslen Test
      • Gillet Test
      • Gower's Sign
      • Lumbar Quadrant Test
      • POSH Test
      • Posteroanterior Mobility
      • Prone Knee Bend Test
      • Prone Instability Test
      • Resisted Abduction Test
      • Sacral Clearing Test
      • Seated Forward Flexion Test
      • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
      • Slump Test
      • Sphinx Test
      • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
      • Squish Test
      • Standing Forward Flexion Test
      • Straight Leg Raise Test
      • Supine to Long Sit Test
    • Shoulder >
      • Active Compression Test
      • Anterior Apprehension
      • Biceps Load Test II
      • Drop Arm Sign
      • External Rotation Lag Sign
      • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
      • Horizontal Adduction Test
      • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
      • Jobe Test
      • Ludington's Test
      • Neer Test
      • Painful Arc Sign
      • Pronated Load Test
      • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
      • Speed's Test
      • Posterior Apprehension
      • Sulcus Sign
      • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
        • Adson's Test
        • Costoclavicular Brace
        • Hyperabduction Test
        • Roos (EAST)
      • Yergason's Test
    • Elbow >
      • Biceps Squeeze Test
      • Chair Sign
      • Cozen's Test
      • Elbow Extension Test
      • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
      • Mill's Test
      • Moving Valgus Stress Test
      • Push-up Sign
      • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
      • Valgus Stress Test
      • Varus Stress Test
    • Wrist/Hand >
      • Allen's Test
      • Carpal Compression Test
      • Finkelstein Test
      • Phalen's Test
      • Reverse Phalen's Test
    • Hip >
      • Craig's Test
      • Dial Test
      • FABER Test
      • FAIR Test
      • Fitzgerald's Test
      • Hip Quadrant Test
      • Hop Test
      • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
      • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
      • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
      • Noble Compression Test
      • Percussion Test
      • Sign of the Buttock
      • Trendelenburg Test
    • Knee >
      • Anterior Drawer Test
      • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
      • Joint Line Tenderness
      • Lachman Test
      • McMurray Test
      • Noble Compression Test
      • Pivot-Shift Test
      • Posterior Drawer Test
      • Posterior Sag Sign
      • Quad Active Test
      • Thessaly Test
      • Valgus Stress Test
      • Varus Stress Test
    • Foot/Ankle >
      • Anterior Drawer
      • Calf Squeeze Test
      • External Rotation Test
      • Fracture Screening Tests
      • Impingement Sign
      • Navicular Drop Test
      • Squeeze Test
      • Talar Tilt
      • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
      • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
      • Windlass Test