PTA Blog Talk : PT News

Future Care

Jason Marketti — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:50:00 GMT

I've read about social security running out of money, reduced reimbursement rates, a decrease in the number of qualified providers, quicker discharges and supposedly better recovery after surgery. Where does this leave everyone? Social security has to...(read more)

Email Me

Jason Marketti — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:52:00 GMT

This year I want to hear from fellow PTAs. I want to know your thoughts on healthcare changes, working relationships with PTs, and your ideas about increasing the PTA education to a bachelor's level as well as your feelings towards the APTA and the PTA...(read more)

Guide for Conduct of the PTA

Jason Marketti — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:57:00 GMT

I am going to pick on the APTA for this session. I rarely question the APTA and I am not a member of the organization so I can do this with an "outsider's" point of view. In November 2010, a guide for conduct of the PTA was issued by the Ethics and Judicial...(read more)

PT Month

Jason Marketti — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:15:00 GMT

The year would not be complete without a tip of the hat or nod of the head with much respect to the PTs and PTAs who care for patients. Sometimes we can actually save people's lives by our assessments and careful observation of symptoms based on how they...(read more)

CEUs and the State

Jason Marketti — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:07:00 GMT

Some of the states that require CEUs for therapists only allow a certain portion to be taken at home. The other portion must be at a "live" presentation, usually on a weekend. Why can't there be continuity in CEU attainment? Some states don't require...(read more)

Michael Phelps

Jason Marketti — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:51:00 GMT

I thought I would comment on this man. I am not a sports fan, nor did I watch the Olympics. In fact I did not even watch the Superbowl this year.

So, back to Phelps. He has a charity foundation to promote water safety and advocate swimming for children, he wrote two books, won 14 career Olympic gold medals, and has set numerous world records. He voluntarily signed up for Project Believe to be tested for doping and passed 9 times.

He has an impressive history in the sport of swimming and all of this is easily found on Wikipedia. He has also been picked up for DUI and most recently a picture of him with a bong.

So we have to weigh whether his accomplishments far out way his mistakes. Also, he is 23 years old. Young people will make mistakes and I don't think we should destroy them for those mistakes.

He could claim his ADHD was uncontrolled and he acted impulsively during the troubled times, but he didn't. He manned-up and is taking his punishment. Good for him.

Imagine if pictures of me were published back in my hey-day. Either I would be laughed at because of the way I was dressed or criticized for what I was doing.

Great people have been penalized for making mistakes. Presidents, kings, and military hero's have all made mistakes (some have tried to cover them up), and yet we realize later they were great people under a greater amount of pressure because of their accomplishments.

The power to forgive is greater than the power to penalize.

PTAs Leading the Way

Jason Marketti — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:07:00 GMT

For Physical Therapy Month I thought I would introduce the PT world to a prominent PTA who is a leading force in the community.

Stephen Pope, LPTA, has been practicing since 1995, graduating from the Professional Skills Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. After retiring from the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel, Pope attended Howard University, USC, and UCSB and has pursued management careers that included retail, grocery and detail clothing operations, but yearned for more.

In July of 2008, he was offered the position of a rehabilitation program coordinator (director of rehabilitation) with an opportunity to turn around a dismal and slow therapy department into a thriving hub of activity which is now number one in the district.

"Through incredible fortune of having a strong and dedicated professional team consisting of a smart aide, incredibly talented therapists who wanted positive change, the positive leadership of my district manager and the unyielding support of the Ramona Manor Convalescent Hospital administrator and his able staff, the department has been transformed under my watch to the place we proudly display," Pope stated.

When asked whether being a PTA has any consequence when leading PTs, OTs and STs, he replied, "That is a difficult issue to truly measure. I suspect anyone who has a higher degree may fall subject to the notion that they are a little more intelligent."

Pope went on to say, "For the most part PTAs are not given the opportunities or the appropriate credit for what they do in the rehab world. I am not sure whether adding more education to their plate will lessen the divide that exists in the rehab world or the community at large. In the long run I believe PTAs will always be the unsung heros, always looked with askance by the higher credentialed PTs. I do not truly believe the APTA understands and cares enough about PTAs to the extent that they will look at PTAs as just another revenue stream."

Pope is married, in his words, "To my beautiful wife Sheri" and has one daughter by a previous marriage and two exceptionally bright grandchildren. Pope recommended several books that have assisted him in his personal and professional development:

The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn

Critical Conditions by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele

My American Journey by Colin Powell

Through Indian Eyes in Readers Digest

How to Reach Your Life Goals by Peter J. Daniels

Rebuilding When your Relationship Ends by Dr. Bruce Fisher

Anything Can Happen by Roger Rosenblatt

You're Not Alone by John Sabolich

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD

Quotes and positive motivating factors that got him where he is today and which will propel him into the future:

"Show me someone who has never made a mistake and I will show you someone who has never done anything."

"I believe the word ‘can't' does not exist."

"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail."

Elections

Jason Marketti — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:29:00 GMT

The focus is always on two folks running for president. It seems the independent people that are running never get the press coverage that they deserve. If you look, there are quite a few people that are trying to get into the White House.

After looking at the candidates and trying to decipher where they stand on subjects important to me I am finding great things in each one. It is hard to decide on just one person to lead the country. I think there are too many issues that need to be taken care of for one person.

If things go wrong, that one person is who we all blame for the world's woes. And if everything is good, we praise their leadership ability. Kind of like what we do to our rehab directors.

But to give credit to those who run for presidency it takes temerity to put yourself out there for the world to pick you apart and find every fault of yours and exploit it. I sure wouldn't want to run for office.

One big issue for health providers is who is going to pay us for the services we provide? If insurance is constantly cutting costs and the price of durable medical equipment continues to rise, who will take care of the patients?

The best time I had was right before I got into PTA school. I volunteered for several years in a pool program for handicapped children. There were no time limits and no worry about payor source. It was great. And I didn't have to call a doctor to get approval to "treat" the person. I just did what seemed right and learned techniques from others that were there.

For now I will keep my eyes open to all candidates and listen to their issues and try to understand where they want to lead our country. I am undecided at this point.