Physical Therapists Blogs This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory.

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Are we good enough?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The military health care system is not always perceived as being the most innovative, but I will confess to being quite impressed with the plenary remarks given by the Army’s new Surgeon General, LTG Patricia Horoho, at the 2012 Military Health System Conference, which was hosted this past week at the Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, MD. Even her slides deviated from the typical military style “cram everything into a single slide” presentation and focused on key, memorable facts to support her position that we spend far too much time and resources in health care focusing on the 1% (when you’re actually ...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - February 5, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: John Childs Tags: Clinical Practice Healthcare Quality Source Type: blogs

Thurst Manipulation of the Cervical Spine: To Do or Not to DoEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
There has been some recent email traffic amongst a close group of colleagues on this article recently published in JOSPT. You can read the study for yourself, but the gist is that the combination of upper cervical and upper thoracic high velocity thrust manipulation was more effective in the short term (48 hours) than nonthrust mobilization in patients with mechanical neck pain. The question centers around whether and/or how to incorporate this evidence into practice. Rather than offering a summary of the comments, I thought it would be helpful to simply paste the comments verbatim and then open it up for a conversation on...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - February 3, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: John Childs Tags: Clinical Practice Education Research Source Type: blogs

Spinal Fusion Rates Continue to ClimbEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article from Medscape came across my radar a few days ago, and a number of colleagues had some interesting email dialogue around it (Britt, thanks for initiating the discussion!). The gist of the conclusion is that between 1998 and 2008, the annual number of spinal fusion discharges increased 2.4-fold (137%) from 174,223 to 413,171. In contrast, during the same time period, laminectomy, hip replacement, knee arthroplasty, and percutaneous coronary angioplasty yielded relative increases of only 11.3%, 49.1%, 126.8%, and 38.8% in discharges, while coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) experienced a decrease of 40.1%. A f...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - February 1, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: John Childs Tags: Clinical Practice Healthcare Quality Research Source Type: blogs

The Very Unofficial Meetup & MixerEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
One of the The American Physical Therapy Association's events is quickly approaching! The Combined Section Meeting will be happening in Chitown from February 8-11 (in a couple of weeks)! I love to learn and share who's speaking, when and topics of interest. Well, this year, the format of the online information isn't conducive to efficiently check out topics and speakers. My apologies for dropping the ball - this year the formatting is too labor and click intensive for me. Back by demand... the 3rd Annual CSM Very Unofficial Meetup & Mixer. It's been planned and the information has been sent out to previous attendees. (...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 25, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

The Pain GameEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Mental challenges keep you on your toes and your brain spinning. And just when you think you have a grasp of a concept, you can't put words to it - OR in my case, twisting words and concepts and trying to understand what is actually being said and then trying to convey thoughts and hopefully not failing. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and trust a person I follow on Twitter. Via the recommendation of @jorge_ze I visited Edupain. What was Jorge doing to me? He already knew I was overly challenged in responding to his tweets - Tweetdeck wasn't translating. I understand a few words here and there (enough to be wrongl...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 22, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

We Can Do Better than a ‘Hope and Prayer’ Strategy for Clinical Education in Physical Therapist Academic ProgramsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Below is the text from a talk I recently gave via Skype at the PPS Graham Session this weekend in Charleston, SC. I unfortunately was unable to attend due to a last minute military deployment. Many thanks to Steve Anderson and the Graham meeting participants (and as I understand it, was record attendance and a terrific meeting) for allowing me to be there virtually via Skype to deliver my talk. As always, it's a genuine privilege to be in the same room (whether face-to-face or virtually) with friends and colleagues who are members of the greatest profession on Earth. John Delivered via Skype on Saturday, Jan 14 at the r...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 15, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: John Childs Tags: Clinical Practice Education Source Type: blogs

The New Year and ResolutionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
I'm against New Year's resolutions. Life isn't about resolutions. Resolutions don't emotionally touch me. I've never made a resolution in my short life... and I don't think I ever will. Dreams... pursuing dreams and actually experiencing a dream come true are far better than any resolution. It literally brought me to crying tears when a childhood dream of mine came true. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted a horse. There was nothing better than the gift of a horse my husband got for me on our 10th anniversary. (Okay - it wasn't a surprise because we made a trip to Kentucky to check out a particular horse & I fel...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 15, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

It is Now Time to Introduce The "PT Fix"Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Every year, a good sized group of physical therapists gather to discuss, debate, and present issues that impact private practice physical therapists. The "Graham Sessions" has become a great venue for many things-including a great spot to grouse about all the threats impacting the profession as well as the presentation of new and different ideas. The Private Practice Section (PPS) originated the concept with support from APTA . Last fall, a special regional Graham Session included sponsorship by the newly formed Physical Therapy Business Alliance. The concept for EIM's Executive Management Program in Private Practi...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 14, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: Clinical Practice Legislative & Regulatory Source Type: blogs

A Blast from the PastEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
I received this interesting email below from Richard Don Tigny, whose views on the SI joint bring back memories of the 1980s and 90s...way out of touch with reality. Nevertheless, I thought his comments were instructive on a couple of points. First, if we are to become an evidence-based profession, we have to learn to respond in a timeframe faster than 5-6 years. He is apparently responding to some critical comments I made back in 2007 regarding his views being inconsistent with current evidence (view which are even further away still in 2012). Also, before you criticize me for posting what was intended as a private email...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 14, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: John Childs Tags: Clinical Practice Research Source Type: blogs

The Back Pain StoryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
When it comes to back pain, tradition and the dirtiest little secret in the health care world perpetuates the pain (both physical and financial) in our society. I'd like to think that way back in the beginning of time, yes, physicians did their best to help individuals with back pain. But you know what? I'm beginning to believe today's current problem in treating individuals with low back pain is simply the lack of patient-centered care. If our health care system *really* had the best interest of individuals with low back pain as a priority, why does the "old way" persist? There is a lot to lose in the new way... the ne...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 8, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

Disruptive Innovation in Physical TherapyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Selena Horner noted in her Twitter stream: "Data doesn't create change... stories that evoke emotion create change..." Collaborating Reduces Costs of Health Care is such a story. The story appeared in the Money section of USA Today on January 6th, 2012. The article tells a story about an employee of Intel Corp. and its insurance company, Cigna of Oregon. Peter Cady, who works 12-hour shifts on his feet at Intel's plant here, occasionally suffers severe lower back spasms. But he nearly gave up seeking medical help because in the weeks it took to get a doctor's appointment and a referral to physical therapy, the pain usually...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 7, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Richardson, PT Tags: Current Affairs back pain diagnostic imaging physical therapists private practice physical therapists Starbucks/Virginia Mason Source Type: blogs

It is not Rocket Science!Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The USA Today and Kaiser Health News reported on yet another example of early access to PT reduces costs and improves patient satisfaction. As 2012 begins I look forward to this being the year where new models of care finally take center stage. Early access to low cost effective care seems so simple yet in our current health care system it remains the exception and not the rule. Hopefully 2012 brings a disruption of old models of high cost, high risk, and inefficient care in musculoskeletal pain disorders and a move to lower cost, lower risk, effective and efficient care. Happy New Year, Tim (Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - January 5, 2012 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Flynn, PT, PhD Source Type: blogs

The Impact of the Ellsberg ParadoxEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
People don't like uncertainty. People don't like ambiguous. Okay, it's actually more than dislike. Uncertainty creates anxiety and fear. Uncertainty reduces the expectations of any benefit. Uncertainty lowers confidence and trust in information. Physicians know this... physician's may actually try to protect their patients from uncertainty. Sadly, when physicians try to reduce uncertainty by ordering diagnostic tests, the diagnostic test results may not correlate with the patient's subjective and assessment findings. The patient mentally believes uncertainty is reduced. Physical therapists enter into this web of disillusio...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 28, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

The 12th Day of Christmas: 12 Reasons Why Our Best Days Remain Ahead!Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 24, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 11th Day of Christmas: PT Education MortgageEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 23, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 10th Day of Christmas: EIM MentorsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 22, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 9th Day of Christmas: Rob Wainner's Favorite Things (with a strong side of redneck)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 21, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 8th Day of Christmas: 8 MRIs a MilkingEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 20, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 6th Day of Christmas: 6 Pittsburgh ScholarsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 18, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 7th Day of Christmas: The EBP PoliceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 17, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

5th Day of Christmas: 5 OrthoNutsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 17, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

4th Day of Christmas: Larry Benz's Favorite Things!Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 16, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

3rd Day of Christmas: Tim Flynn's Favorite Things!Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 15, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 12 Days of EIM: 1st Day of Christmas: A Double Dip Fusion In A Pear TreeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 14, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

The 2nd Day of EIM ChristmasEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 14, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

A Reality Vision for Physical TherapistsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
As the end of the year wraps up, for some reason, I'm not one to readily kick back and appreciate the past. Sadly my focus shifts and I try to get geared up on what the next year will hold. It's so crazy to do that because... I don't have a crystal ball! I recently came upon a report sponsored by the International Private Practitioners Association. The report focused on patient self-referral and physical therapy services in private practice. I know, yes, I really do know I shouldn't put a whole lot of weight on this report because the n value was so low, but the thoughts I have just won't leave my head! In some ways, I do ...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 12, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

Physical Therapist RoleEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
As I read and learn new things, I try to determine if the material is applicable to me professionally. At times I feel torn between being an advocate for the patient and just stepping aside and not questioning the situation. A single tweet on sharing what made me gasp has gained quite a few "favorites" and a bit of a discussion. 140 characters isn't enough to adequately share, so... My most recent quandary involves medications. There is no nice way to put this; we live in a society of pill popping mayhem. The first line strategy for most medical conditions is generally what? Pills... easy to prescribe, easy to take... ever...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 4, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

Another POPTS View and Smoking as an Underused tool in Endurance TrainingEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
While I am not a regular reader of Advance Magazine for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine (and I doubt this blog is in their RSS reader), it was with great interest that I read "Another POPTS View. A healthcare attorney challenges the APTA's campaign against physician-owned PT services". The article was strangely reminiscent of a published study which clearly demonstrates that cigarette smoking is an underused tool in high performance training. The study on runners does an excellent job of documenting numerous research which demonstrates that cigarette smoking has an impact on three factors related to enduranc...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - December 2, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: Current Affairs Healtcare Quality Legislative Practice Source Type: blogs

Can Physical Therapists Replace Physicians as Primary Care Providers in Hospitals?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Doom-and-gloom futurists project a "doctor shortage" in the United States but new studies increasingly support the roll of non-physician providers in primary care settings, such as hospitals. A recent study in the December 2011 Health Services Research found that direct access to physical therapists is associated with lower costs and fewer visits and suggests that... "...the role of the physician gatekeeper in regard to physical therapy may be unnecessary in many cases." Patient satisfaction is driven by clinicians who do the following: spend more time with patients listen more closely provide more feedback show more r...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 30, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Richardson, PT Tags: American Physical Therapy Association cultural competency hospitals nurses physical therapists physician assistants private practice Source Type: blogs

Making a Difference with IntegrityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The EIM community is full of physical therapists that are passionate about making a difference. Whether that happens one on one with a patient, by participating in patient centered research, by promoting our profession, or by advocating for doing the right thing, we collectively are making a difference. There are times when we need to give a shout out to key individuals. In this instance it is for Dr. Britt Smith otherwise known as "the philosopher in PT clothes." Recently, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Britt's appointment along with four other physical therapists and two consumers to the new Colorado Boa...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 29, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Flynn, PT, PhD Source Type: blogs

Get Your Practice Back On Track with EIM’s Executive Program in Private Practice ManagementEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
"In today's ever changing healthcare environment with declining reimbursement we found our practice after 9 years on the edge of disaster. Referrals had declined, we were locked into two low paying contracts and our office morale was at an all time low. Using the tools and techniques learned in the EIM Executive Program has allowed us to essentially restructure our business; we have eliminated our low paying contracts, our marketing efforts have increased our referrals, our net revenues and profits have increased. We are back to numbers of visits we have not seen for some time. Our staff now takes an active role in providi...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 28, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Source Type: blogs

Introducing the Physical Therapy Business Alliance (PTBA)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the Physical Therapy Business Alliance (PTBA). If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you will recall a request to participate in a Physical Therapy Practice Sustainability and Representation Survey. The survey resulted in over 800 respondents and clear, constant issues and messages . After a series of phone conferences, a dedicated group of private practice owners started to convene more formally to determine the feasibility of a trade organization focused on business issues of the profession, most notably the prevailing concerns of decreased reim...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 23, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: Announcements Business Legislative Practice Source Type: blogs

Patient Satisfaction in Physical TherapyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Over the last 15-20 years there has been a delivery shift in obstetrics (no pun intended). Years ago a pregnant woman would routinely visit her physician during the course of her pregnancy. In the utopia situation she would deliver her baby with her physician present. Expectations have been altered in obstetrical service delivery. Generally speaking, the general population of pregnant women, with no anticipated complications, no longer expect to have office visits with the same obstetrician throughout her pregnancy. Women have been readied for this change. When it comes to labor and delivery, it isn't acceptable to have a ...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 13, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

A New DawnEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Dr. Stanley Paris’s inaugural Distinguished Lecture at AAOMPT 2011 did a good job of reviewing the history of manual therapy in general and with regard to the physical therapist profession specifically. There was additional content presented that has created quite a stir and ongoing conversation after the conference, as well as comments directed toward the journal Physical Therapy which were also subject to discussion. Fortunately, Dr.Paris said he would be placing the full text of his talk on the USA website so readers can draw their own opinion. EIM would first and foremost like to take the opportunity to thank...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 11, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Rob Wainner Tags: Announcements Current Affairs In the News Source Type: blogs

Good Timing: November JOSPT and the October Archives of Internal MedicineEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The Top Five overused clinical activities published in the October 2011 Archives of Internal Medicine includes at least one activity that affects many physical therapists' patients: imaging for lower back pain. Overused Clinical ActivityRankCost to American Patients (in millions of dollars) Expensive Brand Name Statins for Hypercholesterolemia1$5,800 Dual X-ray (DEXA) bone scans for Osteoporosis2$527 ANY imaging for Lower Back Pain3$175 Antibiotics for Children with Viral Colds4$116 Pap Tests for Patients Under 21 years of age5$47 The "Top Five" collectively surpass $6 billion dollars in wasted healthcare dollars a...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 8, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Richardson, PT Tags: Diagnostic Imaging Good Stewardship Working Group JOSPT Low Back Pain Source Type: blogs

Education to Avoid HarmEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Kudos to the team at JOSPT and the just released November Special issue on the topics surrounding the use of MRI in musculoskeletal care. Led by Guest Editor Dr. Jim Elliott this issue is a must read for physical therapists practicing in musculoskeletal care. It is well known that appropriate use of imaging can be invaluable in low back pain management particularly for determining serious pathology. Unfortunately, the alarming over utilization of this technology can have serious consequences to the patient including increasing referrals, drugs, surgical rates and decreased perception of health. An image is ext...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - November 3, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Flynn, PT, PhD Source Type: blogs

October FilingsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Another month goes by (wasn't it National Physical Therapy Month?), more things to file. #pet peeve #3 My Pet Peeve series will continue-getting lots of others to crowd source theirs as well. My #3 is to long to tweet, too short to write an entire post but is perturbing. Pet Peeve #3 is "Physical Therapy Diagnoses". I expressed in previous post about my disdain for the overused "physical therapy". It gets even worse when you put "diagnoses" after it as though patients have diagnoses that are based on provider instead of what they have. While there have been attempts, most notably through Guide to Physical Thera...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 30, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: In the News Source Type: blogs

Do Physical Therapists Have an Eminence Front?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Generally speaking, the way I view myself has a potential to be quite different than how others view me. Who you are and your relationship with me really determines whether I put up an "eminence front," especially with the personal side of me. My professional side has me wondering... do I put up an "eminence front" professionally? Do I? Do you? There are objects that could be viewed as facades... objects like the Phiten necklaces and the Power Balance bracelets. It's unbelievable that athletes and the general public can believe these types of items bring value to physical performance. I don't get how an inanimate ob...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 26, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Selena Horner Source Type: blogs

Manage What You MeasureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Measurement is the cornerstone of evaluation. In Healthcare, objective metrics help us assess treatment protocols and relative outcomes. From this process we establish standards that serve as guidelines to help us recognize shortfalls in a procedure and make necessary changes. Measurement guides our decision-making and provides benchmarks for optimal outcomes. Performance measures give providers a way to assess themselves as well as their patients. In a recent article entitled The ABCs of Measurement, the National Quality Forum (NQF) discusses the use of performance measures in evaluating optimal care and how they ca...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 26, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tejal Ramaiya Tags: Healtcare Quality Health and Fitness Technology Source Type: blogs

Physical Therapists and Clinical Decision SupportEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
It is a forgone conclusion that some sort of decision support technology will become a part of the daily workflow of the American physical therapist within the next 2-5 years. What is not concluded are several things: What will the user interface look like? What decision rules will the software contain? Will the Clinical Decision Support (CDS) be electronic or paper-based? Will the decision rules be determined by a "top down mandate"? What level of local control by the physical therapist will be allowed? Will the hardware be a handheld tablet or desktop? Clinical Decision Support tools are electronic tools that link at...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 25, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Richardson, PT Tags: Healtcare Quality Web/Tech CDS Clinical Decision Support Electronic Medical Records physical therapists Virginia Mason Source Type: blogs

Questions You Should AskEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A new study (Abstract Available Here) just published in the journal Health Services Research explores the question of whether physician ownership of an MRI increases the number of scans performed and more importantly does it result in increased surgical rates. The study looked at both Orthopedic Surgeons and primary care physicians who begin billing for the performance of MRI procedures, rather than referring patients outside of their practice for MRI. In other words, what happens after you buy an MRI and stop sending individuals to the imaging center. Well not surprising the physicians in both groups changed their ...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 20, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Flynn, PT, PhD Source Type: blogs

Physical Therapists Role in Primary Care?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Not all news this month is bad news for the American health care system. Despite the news from the Commonwealth Fund Commission that America’s health care system isn’t making any gains in areas such as preventable death, health insurance waste, improved quality of care, and health care savings, there was good news published on innovative projects that use physical therapists to improve value in the healthcare system. What is evident from two articles published this month from Health Affairs and Health Services Research is that in the absence of politics and traditional thinking, physical therapists should play a greate...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 19, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Jason Richardson Source Type: blogs

"Trial of #physicaltherapy" Pet Peeve #2Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We started a series entitled Physical Therapist Pet Peeves a few weeks ago with #1 being the term “skilled physical therapy”. Pet Peeve #2 is the the referral for a “trial of physical therapy”. The scenario usually unfolds like this. A patient with low back pain who has been seen by their primary care doctor is now referred to a spine doc. The first level of treatment was a “trial of anti-inflammatories” and in all likelihood pain medication. Since the patient didn’t respond entirely to the meds and complaints include some radiation to the leg, the patient ...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 18, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: Healtcare Quality In the News Practice Source Type: blogs

#Physical Therapist Value Stream. We are Force MultipliersEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We interrupt my series on Physical Therapist Pet Peeves to bring you some excellent data from Health Affairs Sept edition on Virginia Mason, Collaboration Among Providers, Employers, And Health Plans to Transform Care Cut Costs And Improve Quality (abstract only, full text for subscribers only). EIM blog reported to the physical therapist community on the day of publication the now widely distributed WSJ article on Virginia Mason's novel efforts to wean itself off pricey tests through the use of Physical Therapists (not physical therapy!) as front line patient access points. It has been our belief for some time that ph...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 10, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: Healtcare Quality Research Source Type: blogs

Please support CA PTs by CommentingEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Dr. Paul Gaspar, physical therapist is interviewed by NBC News. Please click here and comment on this story to keep our chance to end referral for profit corruption alive. View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com. Read all of the stories behind the abuse here: Physical Therapy Group Audited by State Physical Therapy Bill Defeated Physical Therapy Clinics Scrutinized Battle Over CA Physical Therapy Intensifies Physical Therapy Bill Delayed @stoppopts (Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 8, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Dedicated PT Source Type: blogs

WE NEED YOUR COMMENTS NOW - POPTS Issue Not Over in CAEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
NBC Story just released! Please click here to read the most factual story yet and let everyone know that this is not acceptable! WE MUST HAVE YOUR SUPPORT TO SURVIVE! Many of you probably have heard that pork-barrel legislation was at fault in CA with regard to the POPTS/referral for profit issue. Just as the CA PT Board was about to take action to bring PTs illegally employed by medical corporations into compliance with the law, Sen. Darrell Steinberg wrote in an amendment to delay enforcement by the CA PT Board until Jan. 2013. You can read the details about that amendment here - STOPPOPTS.ORG We are DEEPLY INDEBTED...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 7, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Dedicated PT Source Type: blogs

My name is Dr. Joe Fabitz and I am your #physicaltherapistEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
How does that introduction or the nurse who uses a similar approach in this NY Times article possibly confuse the patient? Only your doctor knows. @physicaltherapy (Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - October 2, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: In the News Legislative Source Type: blogs

#Physicaltherapist Pet Peeve #1Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In the next several posts, I am going to outline my biggest professional pet peeves. #1 is easy, I hate the term skilled physical therapy and even the term "physical therapy" is starting to be an irritant.The origin of this debacle stems from medicare's language and the requirement in the certification portion of the plan of care (which in and of itself is also a major pet peeve) that requires that the medical needs of the patient are such that they require"skilled" services. The intent is to differentiate that the services are not maintenance. Oddly enough, there is legitimate debate and legal work which is defendi...
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - September 30, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: Legislative Source Type: blogs

Yeah, There's a Code For That...Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
These videos are for any physical therapist who has ever smacked their forehead in amazement at the incredible complexity, micromanagement and incoherence of our centrally-planned medical non-system in the United States. Enjoy. Code Z72.820 Sleep Deprivation Code V91.07xA Burn Due to Jet Ski on Fire Code w22.02xA Walked into a Lamp Post Thanks to Paul Martin, PT at Paul Martin's View Tim Richardson, PT PhysicalTherapyDiagnosis.com (Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - September 26, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Tim Richardson, PT Tags: code cpt physical therapist United States Source Type: blogs

#Physicaltherapy in a Walgreen's Near YouEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Don't laugh. Expect to see them aggressively marketing to large company's, schools, and even other stores. Oh, and they are owned by Walgreen's. Wonder if Walmart, Costco, and Target will be the next health and wellness company offering their version of #physicaltherapy. thoughts? @physicaltherapy (Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com)
Source: MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com - September 21, 2011 Category: Physical Therapists Authors: Larry Benz Tags: Consumers Current Affairs Source Type: blogs