Currently, Indiana patients wanting to seek physical therapy are required to obtain a prescription or referral from a physician. Beginning July 1, 2013 individuals in Indiana can seek direct access to a physical therapist without a referral. One of the individuals involved with making this change a reality, President of the Indiana chapter of the APTA, Shane Sommers PT, MS, OCS, CSCS recently joined PT Talker to share details about the direct access legislation.
Indiana is the last state to allow patient’s direct access to physical therapy without a referral. Direct access allows patients quicker access to care and should help reduce costs. Sommers sees the future of physical therapy to be more outcome focused and eventually moving more to a model where physical therapists are paid for outcomes instead of per visit.
Listen to the full podcast to learn more about direct access efforts and the future outlook for physical therapy.
Physicians are often one of the top sources physical therapists rely on for referrals. However, they don’t have to be. Today’s expert joins us for a second time, Jarod Carter, PT, DPT, MTC owns cash-based physical therapy clinic, Carter Physiotherapy . He shares some of the secrets to obtaining non-physician referrals.
Author of the book My Cash-Based Practice, Dr. Carter has successfully implemented a cash-based practice. He also finds word of mouth from his own patients as one of the leading sources for referrals. Followed only by athletic trainers, massage therapists, personal trainers and other heathland wellness professionals. Learn how you can tap into these resources to grow your practice by listening to the full podcast now.
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n the United States, 250,000 Americans have a spinal cord injury. Today’s expert shares the results of a study that found activity-based rehabilitative strategies can play an important role in promoting physical integrity and functional recovery, even when implemented years after an injury. John W. McDonald,M.D., Ph.D.is the Director of the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury and senior author the study.
The study, Lower Extremity Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling Promotes Physical & Neurological Recovery In Chronic Spinal Cord Injury, was recently published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. The research revealed that long-term lower extremity functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling, as part of a rehabilitation regimen, was linked to substantial improvements in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Prior to this study, exercise was not typically advocated for individuals with a spinal cord injury. To learn more about this exciting new research and the benefits it provides patients with spinal cord injuries, listen to the full podcast now.
Some physical therapists not only meet the needs of their patients but also work for the greater good of the profession. One of those physical therapists is today’s guest. Paul Gaspar, PT, DPT, CCS, Owner of Gaspar Doctors of Physical Therapy and President of Independent Physical Therapists of California recently discussed legislative issues with PT Talker.
The Independent Physical Therapists of California is very similar to the CPTA. The group knows actions speak louder than words. They are very proactive and defend the profession rigorously. Most recent efforts include stopping bill SB381 which prohibits physical therapists from doing joint or spinal manipulation.
As Gaspar predicted, the bill (SB 381) was defeated earlier this week. Learn more about legislative efforts underway in California and their overall impact on physical therapy by listening to the full podcast.
