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 be there to provide care for the blind and disabled; a reduction in reimbursements will always ...

I'm sure there are some people who'd like to see the PTA profession disappear and have every patient treated only by a PT. And for those who feel like that, let's discuss what we should do with the PTAs. But first the United States needs to open its borders to more foreign-educated physical therapists to take the place of the PTAs currently ...

Years ago, I was new to an area and began to secure employment as a per-diem PTA. One of the first places I worked was a hospital. After educating them on the per-diem pay scale, I was hired to work almost every weekend. I explained to HR that I needed full-time work since I had a family but no insurance to cover them and that I would be looking ...

Our daily routines often get so busy that we overlook the needs of those around us, besides our patients and their families. At any given time, we as physical therapists may be able to extend a gracious hand to assist others, while reaping the benefit of satisfaction knowing that we continue to help, outside our work environment. This is why many ...

I recently attended my first ''live'' conference in more than 10 years. It was one of the most informative and action-packed adventures I've had. I was able to connect with people, collect numbers, share experiences and sample some new technology that is available to those who need it (and are able afford it). This conference was not what you ...

Life is full of surprises. In an instant, one can be placed in just the same predicament as the patient seen the following week in clinic. Last weekend, I found myself busily running errands for my 11-year-old's slumber party, when I found myself making the pivotal mistake of taking a left-hand turn across a busy street. Although, visually ...

Over the past week, I have played the role of concerned, pestering, confused and completely frustrated caregiver to my 10-year-old daughter. The saga began last Friday when she arrived home from school in tears over a sore throat and upset stomach. A soaring fever wasn't far behind and before I knew it, I was nursemaid to an extremely sick tweener ...

With all the changes in health care, will therapists need to obtain hospital privileges in the near future? MDs are often graded on their mortality rate, patient satisfaction, patient complexity and in some cases handwriting, as well as being board-certified to maintain hospital privileges. Why couldn't similar criteria be placed on therapists who ...

Dubbed the 2010 PT Fundraising Drive, donations are being collected throughout Rhode Island to benefit the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. With a long history of individual charitable pursuits, Kevin Silvia, PTA, CSCS, of Performance Physical Therapy in Rhode Island, set out to do something bigger and better this year. With an outpouring ...

I spent a portion of my day fighting to swallow the big emotional lump in my throat and choke back tears as I attended the last of a 2010 lecture series at Bryn Mawr Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. Surrounded by health care workers from every corner of the hospital, I squeezed into the last available seat in a row in front of my father, a ...