HOSA PT Profession of Physical Therapy

Profession

career or means of employment demonstrating five characteristics; commitment to field, a representative organization, knowledge in a specific area, social service, and recognized autonomy

Physical Therapy

assessment, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunctions, and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health-related conditions

Guide to Physical Therapist Practice

extensive description of the roles and scope of practice of a physical therapist; describes tests and measures and procedural interventions for patients/clients for musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and pulmonary, and integumentary conditions

Reconstruction Aides

aide (exclusively a woman) responsible for providing physical reconstruction to persons injured in war; forerunners of the profession and practice of physical therapy in the United States

Patient

individual who has a disorder that requires interventions to improve function

Client

individual who seeks the services of a physical therapist to maintain health, or a business that hires a physical therapist as a consultant

Physiotherapist

synonym for physical therapist, commonly used outside the United States

American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association

first national organization representing "physical therapeutics"; established in 1921 to maintain high standards and provide a mechanism to share information

Physiotherapy

synonym for physical therapy, commonly used outside the United States; used by the first national organization, American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association

American Physiotherapy Association (APA)

Organization responsible for maintaining high standards and educational programs for physiotherapists; precursor to APTA

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (The Foundation)

foundation established in 1938 in response to repeated polio epidemics; established to provide research, education, and patient services; provided susbstantial support for the profession and practice of physical therapy

Vision 2020

a statement adopted by the American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegates in 2000 that establishes expectations for the practice of physical therapy in the year 2020; it addresses six components: autonomous practice, direct access, practitioner of choice, doctor of physical therapy, evidence-based practice, and prefossionalism

Autonomous Practice

services provided by physical therapists using independent, professional judgment within their scopes of practice

Core Values

seven characteristics that define and describe professionalism in physical therapy: accountability, altruism, compassion and caring, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility

Evidence-Based Practice

interventions used in physical therapy, based on research that demonstrates the reliability and validity of the procedures

Physical Therapist

professional who works to evaluate, treat, and/or prevent physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disability, disease, or other health-related conditions

Physiatrist

title given to physicians who specialize in physical medicine