Post on 23-Dec-2015
The Physical Therapy Profession and APTA
Who We Are
Our Beginnings
Our Beginnings (cont.)
• WWII
• Polio epidemic
APTA Today
• 77,000+ members• Alexandria, VA• 180 staff• Vision 2020• R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD• John D. Barnes, CEO
Physical Therapists Improve Movement, Function, and Health
• Orthopedic conditions
• Joint and soft-tissue injuries
• Sports injuries
• Neurologic conditions
• Arthritic conditions
• Systemic conditions
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions
• Workplace injuries
• Integumentary conditions
• Pediatric conditions
Physical Therapist Education
• Graduate with a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited program; most offer a doctorate (DPT)
• Must pass a state-administered national licensure exam;
Physical Therapist Education (cont.)
• 200 academic institutions• 213 accredited programs• 206 offer the professional DPT
Physical Therapist Treatment
• Therapeutic exercise• Functional training in self-care• Functional training in community
and work• Manual therapy techniques• Devices and equipment
Choosing a Physical Therapist• Find-A-PT• Direct access to PT• www.apta.org/advocacy• Choice is yours• Licensed PT• Covered by insurance
Your First Visit to a PT• Evaluation
• Examination
• Plan of care
Payment for Physical Therapist Services
• Medicare• Medicaid• Private insurance companies • Federal employee health benefit
program• Workers’ compensation programs• Self-pay• HMOs, PPOs• Automobile liability programs
PT Specialist Certification• Cardiovascular and pulmonary• Clinical electrophysiology• Geriatric • Neurologic• Orthopaedic• Pediatric• Sports• Women’s health
Practice Based on Evidence• Shortens stays in the ICU• Reduces risk of postnatal depression• Improves function after back surgery• Improves movement in premature infants• Improves postural stability in patients
with Parkinson disease
Evidence (cont.)• Effective for pregnancy-related incontinence• Effective for relieving pain and stiffness
associated with OA of the knee• Successfully treats lymphedema
Dynamic Areas of PT Practice• Diabetes • Emergency/Urgent
care• Hospice Care• Obesity Management • Performing Arts• Women’s Health
The Physical Therapist Assistant
• Under direction and supervision of a licensed PT• 2-year associate’s degree• Teaching exercise, training in
activities of daily living,
using physical agents
Where PT Members Practice
PT Age Distribution
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Age Distribution
20-24 - 0.9%
25-29 - 12.9%
30-34 - 14.5%
35-39 - 14.3%
40-44 - 13.6%
45-49 - 13.5%
50-54 - 12.9%
55-59 - 10.8%
60-64 - 4.4%
65+ - 2.2%
PT Employment Status
APTA’s Strategic Plan• Access to PT Services• Education• Payment for Services• Public Awareness/Recognition• Research• Practice Standards
A Few Current APTA Initiatives• Health Care Reform
• Physical Therapist Brand
• Direct Access
• Elimination of Therapy Caps