Physical Therapists
    Physical Therapists
    • History of the Profession
        –   Began during WWI w. rehabilitation of wounded soldiers
        –   1917: Army training program for reconstruction aides
        –   1921: reconstruction aides form association (APTA)
        –   1940s & 1950s: demand for therapists due to WWII & polio
        –   1950s: state licensing increased
        –   1954: APTA developed competency exam
        –   1960s: therapists began treating other conditions
        –   1968: PT services authorized for Medicare program
                        Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 
     Physical Therapists (cont’d)
     Physical Therapists (cont’d)
     • Education
         –  Master’s degree programs
             • Minimum requirement
             • 19 accredited programs
             • Take 2 to 2 ½ years
         –  Doctoral degree programs
             • Are becoming the entry-level requirement
             • 203 accredited programs
             • Take 3 years
             • More content & longer clinical rotations than master’s
                           Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 
     Physical Therapists (cont’d)
     Physical Therapists (cont’d)
    • Course Work                                –   Applied psychology
         –  Anatomy                              –   Applied sociology
         –  Cellular biology                     –   Communication
         –  Physiology                           –   Clinical reasoning
         –  Exercise physiology                  –   Applied statistics
         –  Neuroscience
         –  Pharmacology
                        Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 
     Physical Therapists (cont’d)
     Physical Therapists (cont’d)
    • Licensure                              • Specialist Certification
         –  Required in all states               –   Offered by American Board 
         –                                           of Physical Therapy 
            Requires:                                Specialties
             • Graduation from                   –   For licensed PTs in practice 
                accredited program                   for at least 10 years
             • Passing exam                      –   Available for 7 specialties
             • Other state                       –   Requires 2,000 hours of 
                requirements                         direct patient care in area
                        Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 
    Physical Therapists (cont’d)
     Physical Therapists (cont’d)
    • Work Responsibilities
        –   Do a systems review
        –   Take patients’ medical history
        –   Conduct motor function tests
        –   Develop treatment plans
        –   Perform gait & locomotion training
        –   Assess patients’ progress
        –   Educate patients about expected outcomes
        –   Coordinate with home care agencies
                        Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins