Don’t Miss the Debates!
To quote French writer Joseph Joubert, "It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it."
That is definitely the spirit of the two debates held each year at APTA's annual conference. I have had the opportunity to attend many of them and can say that the best flow of ideas comes from not only the qualified speakers but also the attendees. Everyone gets into the questioning which makes every topic more interesting.
This year two particularly interesting topics are the subjects on the floor. On Friday, June 12 at the conference, "Current Controversies- The 2009 Rothstein Debate" addresses the question, "When Does Regulation Become Over-Regulation, and When Does Under-Regulation Invite Abuse?" Medicare regulation--some say 'over-regulation'--and reimbursement cuts by all payers affect the business of physical therapy. But what are the effects on clinical practice and professionalism? Payment is different for hospital-based versus outpatient-based practice; what might be the impact of continued payment under the Medicare Fee Schedule?
Under Medicare rules, and as an APTA position, the only extender of physical therapy services is the physical therapist assistant; what would be the benefits of utilizing other extenders based on patient type?
The annual Rothstein Debate was established in memory of Jules Rothstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Editor in Chief Emeritus of Physical Therapy (PTJ). This year the debate speakers are Larry N. Benz, PT, DPT, MBA, ECS, OCS, of Louisville, KY, and Stephen M. Levine, PT, DPT, MSHA, of Wilton Manors, FL.
On a less serious note, also on Friday, APTA also offers its second annual Oxford Debate, and it isn't to be missed. Both entertaining and informative, an Oxford debate is similar to British Parliamentary debate, pitting two teams of three making the arguments both for and against the question. Each team selects an opening speaker, a second "rebuttal" speaker and a third "summator" speaker for their respective arguments, and the audience comprises the "floor," allowed to ask questions of each panel before the summator speakers wrap up. Competitors are encouraged to maintain civility but also to debate with "animation, passion and creativity," according to traditional Oxford rules.
This year the topic is, "Is the use of multiple credentials a distraction or an attraction to our profession?" ADVANCE has received many letters to the editor on this very topic so this promises to be a very lively debate. Chairperson Charles D. Ciccone, PT, PhD, moderates the pro-elimination (of credentials) team of Robert Landel, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS; Stephen C. F. McDavitt, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, and Robert H. Rowe, PT, DPT, DMT, MHS, FAAOMPT, and the con-elimination team of Jonathan Cooperman, DPT, MS, JD; Eric J. Hegedus, DPT, OCS, MHSc, CSCS, and Dianne V. Jewell, PT, DPT, PhD, CCS.
If you are attending PT 2009 in Baltimore this year, my suggestion is to try to attend one or both of these debates. You won't be disappointed.