Toni Talks about PT Today : APTA and State PT Associations

Volunteering Update

Toni Patt — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:17:00 GMT

In past posts, I've expressed frustration at volunteering for various opportunities within the APTA and the Neurology Section. A few months ago, I was nominated for a position on the nominating committee for the stroke special interest group. The results...(read more)

Group Think Evidence

Toni Patt — Wed, 29 May 2013 20:34:00 GMT

When I was at the horse show last weekend, I learned one of the show kid mothers is a PT. I learned this because she was treating another of the mothers using cranio-sacral therapy. I'm not sure what pushed more of my buttons, her treating someone on...(read more)

Finally Something I Enjoy

Toni Patt — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:31:00 GMT

Anyone who reads my blog with regularity knows the last year has been a struggle for me. I lost my beloved job. I was fired for being ethical. I encountered more than my share of unethical and self-serving people. During all of that, I hung on and kept...(read more)

Continuing Education Should Be Evidence-Based

Toni Patt — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:53:00 GMT

I'm a peer reviewer for the Texas continuing education program. I review submissions for neuro, geriatric, acute and general so I get to see a lot what is being proposed for continuing education. Texas has a specific form that must be completed for each...(read more)

What Is the Definition of Skilled Therapy?

Toni Patt — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:28:00 GMT

I've been noticing a disturbing trend lately. More and more facilities are considering the need for supervision as a need for skilled therapy. Back in the day, patients referred to SNFs and outpatient had an obvious need. They had trouble walking. They...(read more)

It's Legal but Is It Ethical?

Toni Patt — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:58:00 GMT

Someone was fired last week. The rumor is going around that she was fired because she didn't smile. I don't know if that's true or not but in Texas it is legal. Here an employer can fire an employee for any reason, even if they make it up. Nor do they...(read more)

Time and Money

Toni Patt — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:55:00 GMT

Now that I'm home from CSM, I've had an opportunity to process all of the information. Most of the presentations were excellent. Those that weren't purely theoretical had a common theme. We have to maximize what we do because we're spending less and less...(read more)

Ready for CSM

Toni Patt — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:02:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Just like my fellow ADVANCE blogger Lauren , I'll be attending the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego. CSM happens this week so I'm already in my hotel. I've registered and picked up my materials. I attended my pre-conference workshop...(read more)

I Tried to Volunteer

Toni Patt — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:54:00 GMT

As a member of the neurological section, I receive a monthly electronic newsletter. A few months ago, it included a request for volunteers to work on developing an acute stroke care course. Obviously that caught my attention. I completed the application...(read more)

What Is a Physical Therapist Extender?

Toni Patt — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:47:00 GMT

Reading Jason Marketti's blog last week reminded me of a discussion we're having here in Texas. It's called RC-3 and is an amendment to the Texas Physical Therapy Practice Act. It proposes unlicensed individuals such as athletic trainers and massage therapists...(read more)

Biting Off More Than I Can Chew

Toni Patt — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:17:00 GMT

Last week, I wrote about my experiences teaching my first CEU course. I mentioned how much work it was but didn't go into details. It took me nearly four months to finish, including two months of working at least an hour or two every night. Now I'm going...(read more)

My First Attempt at Teaching

Toni Patt — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 21:49:00 GMT

Last week I tried something completely different. I taught CEU courses. Naturally the topic was stroke care. Previously I've done presentations of an hour or two. Once I did a four-hour presentation on gait and hemiparetic gait. In every case, I've had...(read more)

Not Much of an Investigation

Toni Patt — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:04:00 GMT

Several months ago, I described losing my job because I reported another therapist to the PT licensing board in Texas. To review, briefly I was sent to a facility by my contract company. When I arrived, I found the therapist I was replacing hadn't bothered...(read more)

The Future of Physical Therapy

Toni Patt — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:49:00 GMT

This morning I had a conversation with an OT who has as much experience or more than I do. I mentioned my frustration with employers desiring low pay over experienced therapists. I don't think my tDPT and geriatric specialization have made me more attractive...(read more)

PT and PTA Reimbursements Are the Same

Toni Patt — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:13:00 GMT

Jason Marketti made an excellent point last week when he responded to my post . He pointed out that in all but one state, reimbursement is the same for treatments provided by a PT or a PTA. On the surface, that makes sense. Our charges are treatment-based....(read more)