ADVANCE Perspective: Physical Therapy : PT News

Magazine Content – We Need your Input

Elizabeth Puliti — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:33:00 GMT

As most of our readers know by now, our monthly magazine ADVANCE for Directors in Rehabilitation has ceased publication, and has been merged with the newly rebranded ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine. The new magazine, still distributed...(read more)

New and Improved

Lisa Lombardo — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:48:00 GMT

Arguably, the best changes are ones that are subtle but make a big impact. To that end I would like to welcome our readers to ADVANCE for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine , a new and improved version of the national physical therapy newsmagazine that...(read more)

Deciding Where to Live and Work

Lisa Lombardo — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:37:00 GMT

How much does the outlook on physical therapy jobs affect where you live and work? This month, AfterCollege.com researched the top metro areas across the country to for people looking for jobs in physical therapy. ( See the full story here .) They looked...(read more)

CT Nursing Home Lawsuits Involve Lack of PT

Lauren Fritsky — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:31:00 GMT

There's an interesting story out of Connecticut from this weekend. It involves a nursing home facing lawsuits for neglecting two patients, both of whom died. In the first, part of the argument is that the client did not receive "medically necessary physical...(read more)

PTs Making Progress

Rob Senior — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:12:00 GMT

Earlier this week, 200 physical therapists, PTAs and students of physical therapy programs went to Capitol Hill to speak with legislators about the need to improve patient access to physical therapy services. Once in meetings with Senate and House members,...(read more)

Are You Prepared for Swine Flu?

Elizabeth Puliti — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:39:00 GMT

The Department of Health and Human Services declared Swine flu a "public health emergency" in the United States, sparking fear and confusion in many Americans. The World Health Organization confirmed 73 cases of swine flu worldwide and 40 cases of the...(read more)

5th Annual PT Practitioner of the Year Award!

Rob Senior — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:09:00 GMT

For the past few years, ADVANCE has honored the best and the brightest in the physical therapy profession every October with our PT Practitioner of the Year contest. Since 2005, ADVANCE has gathered entries and nominations from across the country to award...(read more)

Compensated for Cancer?

Elizabeth Puliti — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:16:00 GMT

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, concluded in 2007 that night work is "probably carcinogenic to humans." Furthermore, the IARC classifies the cancer risk of night work as "Group 2A," the same group as tanning beds-and only one group below asbestos and mustard gas.

According to CNN, employers in Denmark are paying compensation to women who developed breast cancer after working night shifts:

Thirty-eight eight women have so far received payments via their employers' insurance companies, the Danish National Board of Industrial Injuries told CNN.

To qualify for compensation, women must have developed breast cancer after having worked at least one night shift a week for 20 to 30 years.

The amount of compensation depends on the severity of claimants' illness and their ability to work.

This article got me thinking. Would this ever happen in the United States? Do you think health care providers--or anyone who works night shifts--would get compensated for cancer linked to night shift work?

You can read the whole article here.

Strategies on Combating POPTS

Lisa Lombardo — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:09:00 GMT

CSM 2009 Wrap-up: The APTA keeps a watchful eye on the legislative strategies states can use to fight encroachment of physician-owned physical therapy practices (POPTS). But there are other ways to stop what many therapists see as a major cause thwarting the autonomy of the PT profession.

Peter J. McMenamin, PT, MS, OCS, and Brian J. Tovin, PT, DPT, presented "Combating POPTS: Legislative and Non-Legislative Strategies for Every PT" on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at CSM 2009 in Las Vegas.

While the session was well-attended, both speakers expressed concern that it wasn't packed. The profession's ability to combat POPTS through legislative and legal means is directly related to its survival as an autonomous profession, McMenamin said.

"Can PTs have a viable and independent business model as part of Vision 2020?" he asked. "The interest is there-within 8 years we have seen a complete reversal of educational programs in this direction, from 20 percent of programs offering the DPT to 93 percent today. So it is market-driven. Direct access is also making progress, with full direct access in 14 states and provisional DA in 31," he said.

Strategies states are attempting to use to ban POPTS include laws against referral-for-profit (RFP); fee-splitting provisions for owners of practices, and professional corporation law, which is still a theory to deal with POPTS, McMenamin said.

POPTS are banned in South Carolina, Delaware and Missouri. All three states have language in their state practice acts that effectively bans POPTS; in SC, it is illegal for PTs to work for a POPTS. On the other hand, POPTS are deemed legal in Alabama, Tennessee and Rhode Island. McMenamin said in some of these cases, POPTS earned the right to exist in a state's practice act by essentially bartering direct access-physicians in the state backed direct access language in the PT practice act in exchange for the right to own PT practices if they chose.

"Many physicians assume that in states where they are allowed to own a POPTS, it will at some point become illegal, but they are willing to continue owning until that risk becomes reality," he said.

State chapters should never attempt to "go it alone" when developing a plan to eliminate RFPs.

"It has to be a chapter-wide effort, and you have to have your full board committed to it," McMenamin stressed. "Everyone involved must fully understand their practice act implications, and have a war chest to fight with." Other important steps include:

Establishing a POPTS task force;
Developing an educational mission for the chapter to inform about POPTS;
Developing a legal team with a lawyer to work for the chapter;
Creating a lobbying team for the chapter;
Conducting a SWOT analysis on PT autonomy to determine where support against POPTS lies;
Scrutinizing the language in the state practice act on fee-splitting prohibitions, direct access and licensure rules;
Building a base of state private practice PTs who can campaign on fighting POPTS.

The important thing to remember is that the profession still controls its own success, said Dr. Tovin. "Eliminating POPTS would have more of an effect on the profession's control than direct access does," he said.

Are Changes Coming?

Lisa Lombardo — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:51:00 GMT

America has elected a new president--an historic event that even other nations are taking notice of. Sen. Barack Obama's election as the first African-American president will rightly be remembered as a turning point in U.S. politics. But without too much prognostication, how will his election affect changes to health care policies? And specifically to issues affecting the physical therapy profession?

As we reported in our Sept. 22 issue previewing the election, the largest component of President-elect Obama's health care plan is his commitment to making affordable health care coverage available to all Americans. This includes 46 million--at least 8 million of whom are children. According to his campaign statements, under Sen. Obama's plan all Americans will be afforded the opportunity to buy a plan--at affordable rates--that mirrors the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the plan members of Congress have. No American will be turned away from Sen. Obama's plan due to pre-existing diseases or conditions. The plan will cover all essential medical services, even such instances as maternity and mental health.

Aside from major health insurance changes, will the Democrat-majority Congress now decide to make changes to the top issues affecting PT: getting rid of the caps on outpatient therapy under Medicare, pursing a plan for direct access to PT under Medicare or holding the physician fee schedule at its current rate?

What do you think? Will Democrat-managed decisions on Medicare make a difference in the next four years?

October is National Physical Therapy Month!

Elizabeth Puliti — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:18:00 GMT

Is your facility or clinic doing something special to acknowledge October as PT Month? If so, ADVANCE wants to know about it! Send us a photo of your staff or of an event with a brief caption and we will include it in an online photo gallery of how PTs and PTAs celebrated the profession this month.

Email information and the photo (720 dpi; .jpeg formats please) directly to Beth Puliti at epuliti@merion.com

See last year's gallery here!

Good News: Senate Passes Medicare Bill

Lisa Lombardo — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:23:00 GMT

Pleasing the leadership of the American Physical Therapy Association and PTs and PTAs everywhere, the Senate yesterday passed HR 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.

"We are thrilled that the Senate took action yesterday and passed [the bill]," said APTA president R. Scott Ward, PhD, PT, in a statement. "The senators obviously heard from beneficiaries and providers in their states and recognized the need to take this action to protect Medicare beneficiaries who need rehabilitation services the most-seniors and persons with disabilities.

"This legislation, which includes provisions essential for Medicare beneficiaries to maintain access to needed services, now awaits the President's signature. The APTA urges President Bush to take immediate action and sign this critical bill into law to protect the quality of life and well-being of millions of Americans," Dr. Ward stated.

"Provisions in HR 6331 are critical to avoiding the unsustainable cuts in Medicare payments to physical therapists and to restoring the therapy cap exceptions process that assures that beneficiaries who qualify for the exception will continue to get the crucial therapy care they need," Dr. Ward said.

Other key provisions will delay competitive bidding for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies and restore important payment protections for rural providers.

The signing extinguishes what were growing worries of the APTA that Congress might not make a decision on the Medicare cap on outpatient therapy exceptions process. As of July 1, the exceptions process under the cap ($1,810 for PT and speech therapy combined; the same amount for OT) had expired. Therapists submitting under Medicare for patients who needed the cap exception the most-those recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury and other long-term conditions-would have had to get a lot more creative in helping their patients continue with necessary therapy.

On a personal note, I know of several people close to my family and friends who have loved ones who had a stroke or were auto accident victims who would qualify for Medicare and will need ongoing therapy. For therapists out there, did the exceptions cap "close call" adversely impact you and your patients?

PT 2008 'Kicks it Up' at the Opening Ceremony

Elizabeth Puliti — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:40:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO—PT 2008 kicked the conference off right last night with a stimulating opening ceremony. APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD, welcomed the overflowing audience of PTs to San Antonio. He had nothing but praise for the 7^th largest city in the country, a city that, in his words, exudes "world-class cuisine, offers opportunities for fun and adventure, and captures the spirit of Texas while keeping its old-world charm."

"When you're not in sessions--and we won't tell anyone--stroll along the Riverwalk and see all this city has to offer," he encouraged the audience.

Dr. Ward noted there are more than 350 speakers at this conference who represent seven countries. He thanked everyone involved and recognized the newly elected officers (a new treasurer, speaker of the house and directors) of the APTA.

Next to speak was the president of the Texas Physical Therapy Association, Carolyn Oddo, PT. "While you're hear, you will experience typical Texas weather. The moisture you feel while walking the Riverwalk isn't a hot spring shower--but Texas humidity," she joked. "We survive by drinking cold beverages--like margaritas."

She persuaded the audience to visit the Alamo, "which is almost a requirement for Texas citizenship," she said.

President Ward took the stage again to speak about the advantages and challenges to the profession of physical therapy and the work of the Association. He noted the common goal of PTs and PTAs alike is to make lives better for patients. "It's a goal we can--and should--be proud of." He told the audience that the public already recognizes that fact.

"When I tell people I'm a PT, they react favorably. I've never been asked, ‘What is a PT?'" Instead, he relayed, one of two things usually happens: the person expresses their desire for an on-site consult ("I'm sure you're familiar with these encounters, which I call ‘Thanksgiving Day clinics,'" he said), or they ask where he practices and are genuinely interested to find out.

"We tend to think the public doesn't know what we do," but they do, he said. "We are overly humble. Never forget what you do-and never forget to make it clear to others who you are."

He encouraged the audience to view challenges as opportunities not only for the PT profession, but for the patients you are fortunate to serve.

Perhaps the most riveting of all the speakers at the ceremony was the last to talk to the audience. This year's keynote speaker was Lee Woodruff, author, freelance writer, contributing editor of ABC's "Good Morning America"--and wife to Bob Woodruff, the ABC journalist reporting in Iraq when a roadside bomb hit his convoy on January 29, 2006.

Bob suffered a traumatic brain injury from the 155 cm bomb packed with rocks. He remained in a medically-induced coma for five weeks. After much medical attention and physical therapy, he has healed far beyond doctors' expectations.

When Lee took the stage at the Convention Center Ballroom last night, she was met with a standing ovation and thundering applause, to which she responded, "I think it is no surprise that the physical therapists would be getting up and down during all of this."

Transitioning from Dr. Ward's speech, she told the audience, "I'm not a person who forgets what you do. Your profession has healed my husband and my family and I have the utmost respect. The surgeons and doctors may get all of the attention...but you are the wind beneath all of our wings--and you probably don't always get the credit that you deserve."

If Bob had been reporting in a previous war, it is likely he would not have survived, she said. In Vietnam, there were three injured to one dead. In the current war, there are 12 injured to one dead. Fifteen to 30 percent of the 1.6 million servicemen will come back with some sort of brain injury, she recited. "This war is rewriting what we know about brain injuries."

Bob's miraculous recovery wouldn't have been possible without PTs, OTs and speech therapists, Lee acknowledged. PTs never told her "He won't be able to," or "He can't" or "He shouldn't"--common phrases among doctors, she said. "I heard from you motivation; you were giving me that little bit of hope so I could go to bed that night."

Lee and Bob created the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation which raises money to assist members of the military with cognitive rehabilitation and other health care needs following traumatic brain injury.

"We could not have done it without the love of people like you," she concluded.

Find Us on Facebook!

Elizabeth Puliti — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:50:00 GMT

ADVANCE for Physical Therapists & PT Assistants created a page on the popular social networking site Facebook. This brand new PT community is just for you. Share your photos/videos, talk with other PTs through our discussion boards and check in for the latest news and announcements from ADVANCE.

Join the group and become a fan today!

Guest Blogger: Naomi Aaronson MA, OTR/L, CHT

Elizabeth Puliti — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:54:00 GMT

Every Child Left Behind

As a school-based therapist, I see many changes since I was in elementary school. It seems the only thing that has remained are the shelter drills, and even they disappeared for a while!

No Child Left Behind, which was enacted in 2001, is a standards-based education reform law. Success will be due to the high expectations and setting of goals that all schools must adhere to. Progress of all public schools will be measured annually for math, science and reading in grades 3 - 8 through standardized testing. In addition, schools are required to use scientifically-based research strategies in the classroom and for staff professional development.

Unfortunately, states have been forced to make cut backs in necessary areas including education due to rising costs. Thus, subjects such as physical education, music and art have been decreasing in number due to budget restraints and the emphasis upon the above subjects. What is the effect upon children?

A study by the American Heart Association and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education contends that diminishing physical education in schools has contributed to rising levels of childhood obesity. I see many children who are being pushed to read and write way before they are emotionally, physically and cognitively ready. Developmentally they have not achieved the milestones necessary to function successfully in the school environment. These children have weak trunks, shoulders, arms and hands and lack the sitting tolerance and endurance as well as the attention necessary to achieve in the classroom day in and day out.

They are expected to learn with few breaks for movement, which is one of the ways children learn. In effect, we are creating a nation of overweight children who hopefully will be able to read and write--but with unknown health issues down the road. In the future, society will pay a heavy price for not thinking about a well-rounded education approach that includes hands-on activities such as music, physical education and art. It makes me sad to think that these children are missing parts of childhood that were once so treasured.