INTRO TO PT (CHAPTER 2) Roles and Characteristics of Physical Therapists

THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THE PT

DIRECT PATIENT CARE

Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy

• Ethical/ Legal Considerations

• Administration of the Physical Therapy Service

• Patient/ Client Management

• Education

• Research

• Community Responsibility

Concepts That Inform Physical Therapist

Practice

• International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

• Biopsychosocial Model

• Evidence- Based Practice

• Vision 2020

• Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist

• Standards of Practice for Physical Therapist

• Quality Assessment

• PRIMARY

• SECONDARY

• TERTIARY

TYPES OF CARE

PRIMARY CARE

is defined as the level of health care delivered by a member of the health care system who is responsible for most of the health needs of the individual.

DIRECT ACCESS

preferred to practice without referral, may serve as entry point for an individual seeking physical therapy services, however, is shifting to or considered as primary care.

SECONDARY CARE

provided by clinicians on a referral basis- that is, after the individual has received care at the primary level.

TERTIARY CARE

Services may also be provided on a referral basis. May be provided in a highly specialized unit, such as a burn care center.

TEAM APPROACH

PT works in collaboration with other health care professionals (Inter-professionalism)

PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION

• SCREENING

• PREVENTION ACTIVITIES

SCREENING

the PT determines whether further services are needed from a PT or other health care professional. A common example is posture analysis of school children to determine whether scoliosis maybe present.

PREVENTION ACTIVITIES

PT provides services designed to prevent, limit, or reduce pain and dysfunction.

These prevention activities are classified as:

• primary (avoids the dysfunction),

• secondary (decrease the duration), or

• tertiary (limits the degree of

disability).

PATIENT-CLIENT MANAGEMENT MODEL

• EXAMINATION

• EVALUATION

• DIAGNOSIS

• PROGNOSIS

• INTERVENTION

• OUTCOMES

Coordination, Communication, and

Documentation

A consistent exchange of information is essential to ensure that all personnel involved in care of the patient/ client are well informed about his or her status.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

is a standardized method to classify health used by the World Health Organization. By its very nature, it focuses on ability rather than disability.

Biopsychosocial Model

Adds the concept of biological, psychological, and social domains, which likewise impact the degree of performance.

Quality Assessment

is the final generic concept regarding physical therapist practice. This measures the effectiveness of the service and considers the structure, processes and outcomes.

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

is essential to ensure that all personnel involved in care of the patient/ client are well informed about his or her status.

DOCUMENTED AND COMMUNICATED

Interactions and the status of the patient/ client must be

and with other members of the health care team in order to coordinate the services.

SUBJECTIVE, OBJECTIVE, ASSESSMENT, PLAN

SOAP

ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD

Computer technology has influenced documentation in health care and has been incorporated into several commercially available systems to create an

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ROLE

•Consultation

•Education

•Critical Inquiry

•Administration

CONSULTATION

The purpose is to make recommendation concerning the current or proposed physical therapy for the patient/ client or for services requested by the entity.

EDUCATION

PTs and PTAs are continually providing education to a variety of audiences, because instruction is an inherent part of patient care activity in physical therapy.

CRITICAL INQUIRY

Is essential for viability of the profession. This is the application of scientific principles to interpret professional literature, conduct research, and assess outcomes and new concepts.

ADMINISTRATION

PTs and PTAs may move into variety of administrative positions. Generally, the promotion ladder in clinical facilities involves more administrative responsibilities at the expense of patient care activities.