"Hi, my name is Tim and I'm in the Senator's district. I'm calling today to ask the Senator to oppose Florida House Bill 1071."
"Ok", said the voice on the other end of the line. "What's your zip code?"
"34222", I said.
"Ok, got it. Thanks for calling. I'll make sure the Senator gets this", said the voice.
"Ok, thank you." I said and I hung up.
Well, that was easy. I also sent an e-mail to my Senator asking him to oppose Florida House Bill 1071 (CS/HB 1071).
According to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA), HB 1071 is legislation originally intended to address a number of glitches in current law affecting the accrediting of healthcare providers and hospitals. HB 1071 has passed the Florida House of Representatives on April 24th, 2013. Unfortunately the legislation was amended on the House floor prior to passage and language was added to the bill that is problematic for the Physical Therapist profession. The legislation will now be considered by the Florida Senate.
The problematic amendment adds NEW language to the Florida Physical Therapy Practice Act (licensure law) that addresses physical therapist assistant education and licensing requirements. Specifically the new language could allow for individuals who have graduated from schools NOT accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to sit for the PTA licensure exam!
This language is extremely problematic for a number of reasons and was added without consultation from FPTA. The proposed change would undermine the CAPTE accreditation currently required for all U.S. PT and PTA schools offering education and training of students seeking examination and licensure. If enacted, this language could open the floodgates for entities who are not experts in physical therapy, nor meet the quality standards of CAPTE to offer “PTA educational degrees” in the state of Florida.
The Florida Physical Therapy Association is strongly OPPOSED to this amendment.
Accrediting agencies like CAPTE hold programs to high standards that have been informed by multiple stakeholders inside and outside of the profession that guide quality student training - this is in the best interest of the public safety and patient care. Relaxing accreditation requirements could diminish the current levels of care protecting Floridians requiring physical therapy rehabilitative and habilitative care.
URGENT ACTION NEEED NOW!
Please click on the following internet link to send an email to your state senator in Tallahassee on this important issue. It’s easy and only takes a couple of minutes – the email is already prepared for you. The message to your state senator will urge him or her to OPPOSE CS/HB 1071 unless this problematic language is deleted from the bill. In addition, the message will ask them to oppose any amendments to SB 594 and SB 966 changing PTA educational accreditation:
CLICK HERE
Please be sure to follow up with a phone call to your state senator as well.
Showing posts with label fpta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fpta. Show all posts
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Price, not More Visits, Drives Cost Increases in Healthcare
Why should you care?
Commercial health care costs are going up - does it matter whether price or patient volume is to blame?
Yes. The Town Hall meeting at the recent Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) meeting included discussion about Copayment reform legislation in Florida.
Some voices in the Town Hall argued that Copayment reform legislation in Florida is not necessary since rising physical therapy utilization indicates there are no barriers to patient access to physical therapists.
Increasing health care costs, to employers via premiums and to employees in the form of rising Copayments, reduce access to physical therapist services.
Do we want to live in an America where only the rich or the employed have access to physical therapist services?
The findings of the Health Care Cost Institute from September 2012 found that
According to a September 25th Washington Post article:
Other state physical therapy associations have not seen the same rapid success with Copayment reform. There is not even uniform agreement that Copayment reform is necessary for patients. Florida is one example where there is disagreement.
Some other opponents of Copayment reform at the recent Town Hall meeting in Daytona Beach spoke out and suggested that insurance companies would "get mad" at the FPTA if we, as an organization, supported Copayment reform.
These opponents, who are physical therapists, are supporting the insurance companies because the insurance companies support them.
When insurance companies set the political agenda for the FPTA we are allowing them to put profits before patients. We need Copayment reform to protect patients. From the Post article:
This problem wont go away and it can't be solved through "free market" methods.
States need legislative reform that lowers Copayments for patients.
Commercial health care costs are going up - does it matter whether price or patient volume is to blame?
Yes. The Town Hall meeting at the recent Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) meeting included discussion about Copayment reform legislation in Florida.
Some voices in the Town Hall argued that Copayment reform legislation in Florida is not necessary since rising physical therapy utilization indicates there are no barriers to patient access to physical therapists.
Increasing health care costs, to employers via premiums and to employees in the form of rising Copayments, reduce access to physical therapist services.
Do we want to live in an America where only the rich or the employed have access to physical therapist services?
The findings of the Health Care Cost Institute from September 2012 found that
"... price growth for outpatient facilities and professional procedures remained higher than (patient volume) utilization growth.".The prices paid were the primary drivers of health care spending in 2011.
According to a September 25th Washington Post article:
"Employers typically have tried to control costs by reducing the volume of care delivered, whether that means higher co-pays for doctor visits or using prevention to catch costly diseases earlier."Copayment reform for physical therapy patients was a "slam dunk" in Kentucky, South Dakota and New Jersey in 2011 and 2012.
Other state physical therapy associations have not seen the same rapid success with Copayment reform. There is not even uniform agreement that Copayment reform is necessary for patients. Florida is one example where there is disagreement.
Some other opponents of Copayment reform at the recent Town Hall meeting in Daytona Beach spoke out and suggested that insurance companies would "get mad" at the FPTA if we, as an organization, supported Copayment reform.
These opponents, who are physical therapists, are supporting the insurance companies because the insurance companies support them.
When insurance companies set the political agenda for the FPTA we are allowing them to put profits before patients. We need Copayment reform to protect patients. From the Post article:
"Some economists have argued that government regulation is exactly what we need to slow price growth and ensure patient access.
Maryland is the only state in the USA where the government sets the rates that hospitals can charge insurance companies.
Maryland's hospitals from 1977 to 2009 experienced the lowest cumulative increase in cost per adjusted admission of any state in the nation. And private insurers pay the same rates as public insurers.
All states except Maryland gravitated away from those models, as states have looked for more competition and less regulation in health-care markets."Consumers will continue to need physical therapy services and employers will continue to buy lower priced health care with lower premiums for their employees. This means higher Copayments.
This problem wont go away and it can't be solved through "free market" methods.
States need legislative reform that lowers Copayments for patients.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Are Physical Therapy Students Risk Averse?
Do physical therapy students always choose the safe alternative?
Does $100,000 in debt cause students to vote for the status quo?
Do physical therapists and students feel so much anxiety over health care reform that they prefer to vote for short-run self-interests over long-run investments?
Outcomes measurement linked to physical therapist reimbursement was the subject of the 2012 Oxford Debate at the Florida Physical Therapy Association Meeting (FPTA) in Daytona Beach. The students and physical therapists in the room - about 400 - mainly voted against using these measures for payment.
I question if students, in these changing times, are prepared to put the interests of their patients and their profession ahead of their own interests. I can't really blame them. I was a student once, too. The future is uncertain and scary.
This student-led decision was reminiscent of the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) 2011 Annual Conference in Washington DC when a student-dominated audience voted against Clinical Decision Rules.
Oxford Debates pit two teams arguing contrary positions. Each team "wins" by persuading the audience to cheer, make noise or physically move from one side of the room to the other. The side with the most supporters wins the debate. Most Oxford Debates handle serious topics in a fun environment. Drinks are usually served.
This convention was well-attended by students, many of them from the University of St. Augustine. The student-dominated audience split about 60/40 against using patient outcomes to reward physical therapists.
Inadequate risk adjustment seemed to be the main reason outcome measures should not be used, according to the speakers and the audience. In other words, the measure would ONLY capture the outcome of care which might depend on factors other than the therapists' effort and skill.
For instance, if the patient does not do their home exercise program they will tend to have worse outcomes than if they do their exercises. Older people with multiple diseases will usually have worse outcome scores at baseline and at follow-up than younger people without disease.
We've recently heard similar arguments in the Chicago teachers' strike when school teachers objected to being paid based on the standardized test scores (outcomes) of their students. The teachers argued that many factors that affect test scores are beyond their control. Paying teachers based on test scores was unfair since many of the determinants of teacher performance happened outside of the classroom.
A physical therapy student at the Oxford Debate noted that the most important determinants of health also occur outside the physical therapy clinic. These determinants are things like the following:
However, I think these students' behavior is rational.
Instead of pushing physical therapists and students to accept a reimbursement system that puts us at risk let's design a system that lets us think about patient care rather than worry about money.
What do you think?
Does $100,000 in debt cause students to vote for the status quo?
Do physical therapists and students feel so much anxiety over health care reform that they prefer to vote for short-run self-interests over long-run investments?
Outcomes measurement linked to physical therapist reimbursement was the subject of the 2012 Oxford Debate at the Florida Physical Therapy Association Meeting (FPTA) in Daytona Beach. The students and physical therapists in the room - about 400 - mainly voted against using these measures for payment.
I question if students, in these changing times, are prepared to put the interests of their patients and their profession ahead of their own interests. I can't really blame them. I was a student once, too. The future is uncertain and scary.
This student-led decision was reminiscent of the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) 2011 Annual Conference in Washington DC when a student-dominated audience voted against Clinical Decision Rules.
Oxford Debates pit two teams arguing contrary positions. Each team "wins" by persuading the audience to cheer, make noise or physically move from one side of the room to the other. The side with the most supporters wins the debate. Most Oxford Debates handle serious topics in a fun environment. Drinks are usually served.
This convention was well-attended by students, many of them from the University of St. Augustine. The student-dominated audience split about 60/40 against using patient outcomes to reward physical therapists.
Inadequate risk adjustment seemed to be the main reason outcome measures should not be used, according to the speakers and the audience. In other words, the measure would ONLY capture the outcome of care which might depend on factors other than the therapists' effort and skill.
For instance, if the patient does not do their home exercise program they will tend to have worse outcomes than if they do their exercises. Older people with multiple diseases will usually have worse outcome scores at baseline and at follow-up than younger people without disease.
We've recently heard similar arguments in the Chicago teachers' strike when school teachers objected to being paid based on the standardized test scores (outcomes) of their students. The teachers argued that many factors that affect test scores are beyond their control. Paying teachers based on test scores was unfair since many of the determinants of teacher performance happened outside of the classroom.
A physical therapy student at the Oxford Debate noted that the most important determinants of health also occur outside the physical therapy clinic. These determinants are things like the following:
- family and social support
- a positive outlook
- educational level
- addictive behaviors, such as cigarette smoking
- level of activity
However, I think these students' behavior is rational.
Instead of pushing physical therapists and students to accept a reimbursement system that puts us at risk let's design a system that lets us think about patient care rather than worry about money.
What do you think?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Town Hall Meeting Provokes Excitement
The Town Hall at 5:30pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the FPTA Annual Conference & Assembly of Representatives in Daytona Beach was interesting, exiting and invigorating.
We heard many passionate, intelligent and involved physical therapists voicing their opinions.
The differences of opinion were sharp but friendly. The divide spun on the future direction of the FPTA advocacy resources.
In other words, we do have some political and social capital but which way do we spend it?
Tomorrow, I will present How to Open a Private Practice in Line with APTA's Vision 2020 with Adam Geril, DPT and Adam Woods, a banker.
My contribution will be Using Functional Outcome Questionnaires to Get Medicare Compliance.
I hope you can make it.
We heard many passionate, intelligent and involved physical therapists voicing their opinions.
The differences of opinion were sharp but friendly. The divide spun on the future direction of the FPTA advocacy resources.
In other words, we do have some political and social capital but which way do we spend it?
- Copayment legislation?
- Term Protection?
- PIP legislation?
Tomorrow, I will present How to Open a Private Practice in Line with APTA's Vision 2020 with Adam Geril, DPT and Adam Woods, a banker.
My contribution will be Using Functional Outcome Questionnaires to Get Medicare Compliance.
I hope you can make it.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Tim Richardson Running for Secretary of the Florida Physical Therapy Association
Statement: I would be honored to serve my fellow physical therapists as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA).
The FPTA Board of Directors is a responsibility I take very seriously since the FPTA is the largest organization representing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the State of Florida.
I believe our voice is strongest when we speak, not from our own self-interest, but from the perspective of our patients. I believe we should ask ourselves, when developing FPTA policy:
During the FPTA Annual Conference in Orlando, candidates will have the opportunity to speak during the Chapter Caucus. Additionally, the Nominating Committee has scheduled a "Meet the Candidates: session during the Exhibit Reception. Members will have the opportunity to chat with candidates and ask any questions they feel necessary.
Biography: Tim Richardson graduated from the University of Florida in 1992 with a Bachelor's in Health Science (Physical Therapy).
Tim received Manual Therapy Certification from the University of St. Augustine in 2001. Since 1996 he has owned and managed private physical therapy clinics in Manatee County, Florida.
Tim is returning from a one-year sabbatical in Spain where he provided cash-based musculoskeletal and vestibular physical therapy services to Spanish-speaking people.
Tim just recently (June 2012) was elected to the North Central Florida Health Information Management Systems Society (HiMSS) Health Information Exchange Committee, which advises the HiMSS Board of Directors.
He is also a founding member of the Florida Physical Therapists in Private Practice (FLPTPP), serves on their Board of Directors and serves as their Legislative Chair.
Tim is serving his third year on the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) Government Affairs Committee and has served on the Web Site Task Force responsible for the FPTA logo. Tim also serves on the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Orthopedic Section Practice Committee and the Health Policy & Admin Section Technology Special Interest Group.
Tim advises the Florida Medicare Administrative Contractor, First Coast Service Options Inc., as a member of the Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group.
Contact Information:
email: TimRichPT@MedicalArtsRehab.com
LinkedIn profile: http://linkd.in/zPc0EH
Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/#!/timrichpt
Skype name: TimRichPT
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/timrichpt
Thank you for your consideration.
Remember, in a democracy its not "Majority Rules", but the majority of people WHO VOTE that make the rules.
The FPTA Board of Directors is a responsibility I take very seriously since the FPTA is the largest organization representing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the State of Florida.
I believe our voice is strongest when we speak, not from our own self-interest, but from the perspective of our patients. I believe we should ask ourselves, when developing FPTA policy:
"What can I do, as an FPTA member, that can improve my ability to provide care or the ability of my patients to access my services?"
***
Online voting for FPTA offices began on Tuesday, August 14 at 9:00 am and will close on Friday, September 14 at 8:30 pm. FPTA will use the emails on file with APTA for contacting members regarding elections and voting procedures.
During the FPTA Annual Conference in Orlando, candidates will have the opportunity to speak during the Chapter Caucus. Additionally, the Nominating Committee has scheduled a "Meet the Candidates: session during the Exhibit Reception. Members will have the opportunity to chat with candidates and ask any questions they feel necessary.
Biography: Tim Richardson graduated from the University of Florida in 1992 with a Bachelor's in Health Science (Physical Therapy).
Tim received Manual Therapy Certification from the University of St. Augustine in 2001. Since 1996 he has owned and managed private physical therapy clinics in Manatee County, Florida.
Tim is returning from a one-year sabbatical in Spain where he provided cash-based musculoskeletal and vestibular physical therapy services to Spanish-speaking people.
Tim just recently (June 2012) was elected to the North Central Florida Health Information Management Systems Society (HiMSS) Health Information Exchange Committee, which advises the HiMSS Board of Directors.
He is also a founding member of the Florida Physical Therapists in Private Practice (FLPTPP), serves on their Board of Directors and serves as their Legislative Chair.
Tim is serving his third year on the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) Government Affairs Committee and has served on the Web Site Task Force responsible for the FPTA logo. Tim also serves on the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Orthopedic Section Practice Committee and the Health Policy & Admin Section Technology Special Interest Group.
Tim advises the Florida Medicare Administrative Contractor, First Coast Service Options Inc., as a member of the Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group.
Contact Information:
email: TimRichPT@MedicalArtsRehab.com
LinkedIn profile: http://linkd.in/zPc0EH
Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/#!/timrichpt
Skype name: TimRichPT
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/timrichpt
Thank you for your consideration.
Remember, in a democracy its not "Majority Rules", but the majority of people WHO VOTE that make the rules.
Monday, July 16, 2012
How to Open a Private Practice in line with APTA's Vision 2020
Intended for Physical Therapists new to Private Practice!
This course presents an introduction for healthcare professionals looking to open a private practice for the first time.
Specifically, this course will review reasons for opening a private practice, how to assess the market to determine potential success. This course will also review financing options, as well as how to monitor success by identifying critical metrics specific to your practice setting.
This course will expose the participant in how to develop a marketing plan.
Lastly, this course will review appropriate billing practices and how to document medical necessity and skilled Physical Therapy need to insure prompt and correct payments to facilitate on going cash flow to run your business.
Friday September 14th from 8am to 12pm at the FPTA Annual conference in Orlando.
Sign up here!
This course presents an introduction for healthcare professionals looking to open a private practice for the first time.
Specifically, this course will review reasons for opening a private practice, how to assess the market to determine potential success. This course will also review financing options, as well as how to monitor success by identifying critical metrics specific to your practice setting.
This course will expose the participant in how to develop a marketing plan.
Lastly, this course will review appropriate billing practices and how to document medical necessity and skilled Physical Therapy need to insure prompt and correct payments to facilitate on going cash flow to run your business.
Friday September 14th from 8am to 12pm at the FPTA Annual conference in Orlando.
Sign up here!
- Adam C. Geril, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, ATC
- Tim Richardson, PT
- Adam Woods, VP Alarion Bank
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Florida Physical Therapists Wanted to Speak to Legislators
The Key Contacts program of the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) is designed to put a physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA) in every state legislator's office in Florida.
Each Florida legislator has an office in your district. Maybe your legislator has an office in your town.
We especially need therapists in the South Florida area.
The goal is to make politics personal so when the FPTA has an issue that needs support - such as the recently successful Temporary Licensure law - then we can reach out to the legislator.
But we need you to make that face-to-face contact.
The Florida Physical Therapy Association will be making strategic contributions to several legislators in anticipation of the 2013 legislative cycle.
You can set up a Practice Visit to meet you, your staff and your patients.
The FPTA may want to suport your legislator using FPTA Political Action Committee (PAC) funds.
Find out if your legislator in on the list by e-mailing Eric Chaconas, DPT.
Each Florida legislator has an office in your district. Maybe your legislator has an office in your town.
We especially need therapists in the South Florida area.
The goal is to make politics personal so when the FPTA has an issue that needs support - such as the recently successful Temporary Licensure law - then we can reach out to the legislator.
But we need you to make that face-to-face contact.
The Florida Physical Therapy Association will be making strategic contributions to several legislators in anticipation of the 2013 legislative cycle.
You can set up a Practice Visit to meet you, your staff and your patients.
The FPTA may want to suport your legislator using FPTA Political Action Committee (PAC) funds.
Find out if your legislator in on the list by e-mailing Eric Chaconas, DPT.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
All Florida Physical Therapists Contact Governor Rick Scott Immediately!!
Please contact Governor Rick Scott and request that he sign into law HB 799 by Rep. Tom Goodson and Senator Bill Montford, regarding temporary license for the practice of physical therapy.
Current Situation: The House of Representatives and Florida Senate passed HB 799 unanimously on Friday, March 9, 2012.
The Legislation is now headed to Governor Rick Scott for final action to be signed into law. On behalf of the FPTA, please begin contacting Governor Rick Scott and request that he Sign HB 799 into law.
The Problem: Due to national testing procedure changes adopted in 2011, the physical therapy exam in Florida is only given a limited number of times (3-5) each year and the seats are limited. Due to the change in testing procedures at the national level, Florida Physical Therapy Program graduates may wait three to four months after graduation to sit for the exam. This has created a backlog of graduates waiting to take the exam.
Further, as twenty-four jurisdictions currently offer temporary licenses and permits, graduates of Florida schools are being enticed to leave the state to obtain immediate employment elsewhere in these high demand physical therapy provider positions.
The Solution: The unanimous passage of HB 799, by Rep. Goodson and Sen., Montford amends chapter 486, Florida Statutes, to allow Physical Therapy Program graduates of accredited programs, who are waiting to take the exam after graduation, to work under a temporary license permit. The legislation will also grant a similar license to physical therapist assistant graduates. Again, they would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. Similarly, if the exam is passed, they may continue working but cannot continue if the exam is failed.
Both temporary permit licenses are intended to help put graduates to work immediately in a profession that is in demand to serve our aging state population and to retain the graduates from our Florida institutions. The direct supervision relationship is already well established during final clinical education internships.
The Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Florida Board of Physical Therapy, has reviewed this legislative proposal and supports authorization for the physical therapy and physical therapy assistant temporary permit licensees.
The Florida Medical Association has reviewed the bill and has no objection.
Accredited Physical Therapy Schools in Florida (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
Message:
E-Mail: http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/
Mail: The Honorable Governor Rick Scott State of Florida PL 05, The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
Phone: (850) 488-4441
Dear Governor Scott:
Please accept this letter on behalf of myself and the nearly 5,000 practicing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in training who are members of the Florida Physical Therapy Association as a request that you sign into law HB 799 by Representative Tom Goodson, and Senate sponsor, Senator Bill Montford, regarding a temporary license for the practice of physical therapy.
The temporary license legislation would create a non-renewable temporary license valid for six months for recent graduates of accredited physical therapy schools. This will allow students from the schools of physical therapy in Florida to continue their on-the-job training, just as they trained as interns before graduation.
Much of the need for this legislation was generated by the fact that the Department no longer administers its own examination, but instead utilizes the national examination to demonstrate competency for physical therapy licensure. As such, graduates can wait up to three or four months before being allowed to sit for the examination, which is administered as few times as three per year, and will soon be offered up to five times per year.
The bill requires strict supervision on site by a licensed physical therapist and no physical therapist may supervise more than one temporary licensee at a time. The bill also provides physical therapy assistant graduates may receive a temporary license while, again, awaiting their opportunity to take the examination.
The Association believes that there are sufficient safeguards built into this law to protect the public while at the same time allowing the physical therapy grads to remain in Florida and be put to work serving clients who need physical therapy services. The legislation allows students the opportunity to begin their physical therapy practice in Florida without having to move to other states that currently allow temporary physical therapy practice.
In addition, the Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance Board of Physical Therapy supported establishment of temporary license. As the population of Florida ages, the need for physical therapy will continue to grow and the State must do everything it can to keep graduates of accredited institutions at home and working in Florida.
It is respectfully requested that you sign this legislation into law.
Signed,
Your name and address
Current Situation: The House of Representatives and Florida Senate passed HB 799 unanimously on Friday, March 9, 2012.
The Legislation is now headed to Governor Rick Scott for final action to be signed into law. On behalf of the FPTA, please begin contacting Governor Rick Scott and request that he Sign HB 799 into law.
The Problem: Due to national testing procedure changes adopted in 2011, the physical therapy exam in Florida is only given a limited number of times (3-5) each year and the seats are limited. Due to the change in testing procedures at the national level, Florida Physical Therapy Program graduates may wait three to four months after graduation to sit for the exam. This has created a backlog of graduates waiting to take the exam.
Further, as twenty-four jurisdictions currently offer temporary licenses and permits, graduates of Florida schools are being enticed to leave the state to obtain immediate employment elsewhere in these high demand physical therapy provider positions.
The Solution: The unanimous passage of HB 799, by Rep. Goodson and Sen., Montford amends chapter 486, Florida Statutes, to allow Physical Therapy Program graduates of accredited programs, who are waiting to take the exam after graduation, to work under a temporary license permit. The legislation will also grant a similar license to physical therapist assistant graduates. Again, they would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. Similarly, if the exam is passed, they may continue working but cannot continue if the exam is failed.
Both temporary permit licenses are intended to help put graduates to work immediately in a profession that is in demand to serve our aging state population and to retain the graduates from our Florida institutions. The direct supervision relationship is already well established during final clinical education internships.
The Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Florida Board of Physical Therapy, has reviewed this legislative proposal and supports authorization for the physical therapy and physical therapy assistant temporary permit licensees.
The Florida Medical Association has reviewed the bill and has no objection.
Accredited Physical Therapy Schools in Florida (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Tallahassee Florida Gulf Coast University
- Ft. Myers Florida International University
- Miami Nova Southeastern University
- Ft. Lauderdale - Davie & Tampa
- University of Central Florida - Orlando
- University of Florida - Gainesville
- University of Miami - Miami
- University of North Florida - Jacksonville
- University of South Florida - Tampa
- University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - St. Augustine
- Broward College - Coconut Creek
- Keiser University - Sarasota
- College of Central Florida - Ocala
- Miami Dade College - Miami
- Daytona State College - Daytona Beach
- Pensacola State College - Pensacola
- Florida Gateway College - Lake City
- Polk State College - Winter Haven
- Florida State College at Jacksonville - Jacksonville
- St. Petersburg College - St. Petersburg
- Gulf Coast State College - Panama City
- State College of Florida - Bradenton
- Herzing University - Winter Park
- South University - Tampa
- Indian River State College - Ft. Pierce
- South University - Royal Palm Beach
- Keiser University - Ft. Lauderdale
- Seminole State College of Florida - Altamonte Springs
Message:
E-Mail: http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/
Mail: The Honorable Governor Rick Scott State of Florida PL 05, The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
Phone: (850) 488-4441
Dear Governor Scott:
Please accept this letter on behalf of myself and the nearly 5,000 practicing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in training who are members of the Florida Physical Therapy Association as a request that you sign into law HB 799 by Representative Tom Goodson, and Senate sponsor, Senator Bill Montford, regarding a temporary license for the practice of physical therapy.
The temporary license legislation would create a non-renewable temporary license valid for six months for recent graduates of accredited physical therapy schools. This will allow students from the schools of physical therapy in Florida to continue their on-the-job training, just as they trained as interns before graduation.
Much of the need for this legislation was generated by the fact that the Department no longer administers its own examination, but instead utilizes the national examination to demonstrate competency for physical therapy licensure. As such, graduates can wait up to three or four months before being allowed to sit for the examination, which is administered as few times as three per year, and will soon be offered up to five times per year.
The bill requires strict supervision on site by a licensed physical therapist and no physical therapist may supervise more than one temporary licensee at a time. The bill also provides physical therapy assistant graduates may receive a temporary license while, again, awaiting their opportunity to take the examination.
The Association believes that there are sufficient safeguards built into this law to protect the public while at the same time allowing the physical therapy grads to remain in Florida and be put to work serving clients who need physical therapy services. The legislation allows students the opportunity to begin their physical therapy practice in Florida without having to move to other states that currently allow temporary physical therapy practice.
In addition, the Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance Board of Physical Therapy supported establishment of temporary license. As the population of Florida ages, the need for physical therapy will continue to grow and the State must do everything it can to keep graduates of accredited institutions at home and working in Florida.
It is respectfully requested that you sign this legislation into law.
Signed,
Your name and address
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Florida Physical Therapy Bill Passes House 114 to 0
A committee substitution (CS 1228) passed unanimously through the Florida House of Representatives today for the Florida Physical Therapy Association's (FPTA) Temporary Licensure bill attempting to change the physical therapist practice act.
This is not the final action for this piece of legislation since it still needs to pass the Florida Senate.
Keep up the communication with your local representatives and stay tuned to the FPTA website for up-to-date information on which legislator needs to be contacted for specific committee votes.
Great job from the grassroots so far.
Let's keep it up!
This is not the final action for this piece of legislation since it still needs to pass the Florida Senate.
Great job from the grassroots so far.
Let's keep it up!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Florida Physical Therapy Bill Recieves Unanimous Support in Sub-Committee
Fourteen out of fourteen Florida House of Representatives in the Health Human Services Quality Subcommittee voted to adopt the Temprary License (HB 799) bill for new graduate physical therapists and physical therapist assistants without objection.
Congratulations to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA)!
Now, on to the House Education Committee and the House Health & Human Services Committe as detailed on the House Bill Tracker website.
Then, on to the Florida Senate.
If HB 799 passes this will be a significant victory for the Florida Physical Therapy Association.
Check the FPTA website for timely announcements to call your House members to ask for support of HB 799.
Congratulations to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA)!
Now, on to the House Education Committee and the House Health & Human Services Committe as detailed on the House Bill Tracker website.
If HB 799 passes this will be a significant victory for the Florida Physical Therapy Association.
Check the FPTA website for timely announcements to call your House members to ask for support of HB 799.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
California and Florida Physical Therapy Bills Move Forward
Physical therapists across the United States have gotten off to a fast start in 2012, as evidenced by two bills moving forward in California and in Florida.
California Senate bill SB 924 allows consumers to go directly to a physical therapist for treatment without first going through their doctor.
Senator Curren Price's bill was approved unanimously Monday, January 30th, 2012.
The Senate bill is a compromise bill that requires a therapist to refer a patient to doctors if the therapist learns that the patient needs medical attention.
It also requires the therapist to get a doctor's approval if the therapy goes beyond 12 visits or 30 business days.
Previous versions of the bill were opposed by the politically powerful California Medical Association (CMA). The CMA has not taken a position on the new compromise bill. The bill now goes to the California State Assembly.
Also, congratulations to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) which scored an impresive victory Tuesday, January 17, 2012 as HB 799, the physical therapy temporary license bill by Rep. Tom Goodson passed out of its first committee of reference.
HB 799 by Rep. Goodson amends chapter 486, Florida Statutes, to allow Physical Therapy graduates of accredited programs, who are waiting to take the exam after graduation, to work under a temporary license permit.
The graduate would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist while working (in the same room) and could only function in this temporary capacity until the results of the first exam are known. A licensed physical therapist may only supervise one temporary licensee permit at a time.
If the graduate with a temporary permit passes, they can continue working under the temporary permit until the permanent license is issued. If the graduate fails the exam, the temporary license is revoked and they may not work until passing the exam.
The legislation will also grant a similar license to physical therapist assistant graduates. Again, they would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. Similarly, if the exam is passed, they may continue working but cannot continue if the exam is failed.
California Senate bill SB 924 allows consumers to go directly to a physical therapist for treatment without first going through their doctor.
Senator Curren Price's bill was approved unanimously Monday, January 30th, 2012.
The Senate bill is a compromise bill that requires a therapist to refer a patient to doctors if the therapist learns that the patient needs medical attention.
It also requires the therapist to get a doctor's approval if the therapy goes beyond 12 visits or 30 business days.
Previous versions of the bill were opposed by the politically powerful California Medical Association (CMA). The CMA has not taken a position on the new compromise bill. The bill now goes to the California State Assembly.
Also, congratulations to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) which scored an impresive victory Tuesday, January 17, 2012 as HB 799, the physical therapy temporary license bill by Rep. Tom Goodson passed out of its first committee of reference.
HB 799 by Rep. Goodson amends chapter 486, Florida Statutes, to allow Physical Therapy graduates of accredited programs, who are waiting to take the exam after graduation, to work under a temporary license permit.
The graduate would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist while working (in the same room) and could only function in this temporary capacity until the results of the first exam are known. A licensed physical therapist may only supervise one temporary licensee permit at a time.
If the graduate with a temporary permit passes, they can continue working under the temporary permit until the permanent license is issued. If the graduate fails the exam, the temporary license is revoked and they may not work until passing the exam.
The legislation will also grant a similar license to physical therapist assistant graduates. Again, they would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. Similarly, if the exam is passed, they may continue working but cannot continue if the exam is failed.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Florida Temporary Licensure - From a Ripple to a Wave
Fast forward to January 16th, 2012—myself, some close peers, and colleagues in Physical Therapy are attending the Advocacy Forum put on by the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) in Tallahassee, Florida.
The 2012 FPTA Advocacy Forum was a success.
The forum allowed students and clinicians to learn more about the political process, how to advocate for our profession culminating with attendees having the opportunity to observe our own bill navigate a key House committee.
The bill passed unanimously in the Health and Human Services Quality sub-committee. The advancement of our bill that day has created a ripple effect. The result forwards the ultimate goal of allowing new graduates to practice while waiting to sit for board exams, but also splashes into important directions relating to the association’s future.
Equally important is the impact on the dozen physical therapy students in attendance at the capital in concert with the excitement from those students still in class on the home front who were kept notified through social media. Representing the future of the profession, we have truly seen democracy at work . . . .SO EXCITING.
Temporary licensure was re-exposed by a student this September to the FPTA in Orlando at a district caucus during the association’s annual conference. At the general assembly gathering the next day, University of St. Augustine students were recognized for raising $1000 for PT-PAC. Soon thereafter we each witnessed the organization quickly vote in support to pursue the legislature. Furthermore, not only did students witness their dollars at work, the receptiveness by the practicing clinicians to the idea served as justification and encouragement to students who do not think their voice could be heard. It further served as validation to those individuals who moan and grumble on the fees for FPTA/APTA membership they pay.
Here we are today, spearheaded by young professionals who juggle the rigors of doctoral education and sacrifice valuable study time (more importantly free time) to advocate for their trade. I felt as proud as when I had received my acceptance letter to PT school as the number of students at the advocacy forum exceeded the amount of practicing clinicians.
Thank you for making a difference.
The undulation of the Temporary Licensure stone thrown into the pool of politics is further seen in the development of the organization’s relationship with Tallahassee. We have made headway not only with our sponsors in the House (Rep. Tom Goodson) and in the Senate (Senator Bill Montford), but also with Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Ronald Renuart, the vice chair of the Health and Human Services Quality Subcommittee. Eric Chaconas, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT and I were introduced to “Doc” Renuart in Jacksonville last fall.
The receptiveness from Representative Renuart that day left me feeling that the FPTA would have a tough road ahead of them. However; Rep. Renuart was in full support of our bill on Tuesday arguing that Florida produces great physical therapists and we need to keep them here!
Anything is possible. We need to keep the swell that we have created this January 2012 session from turning into a tsunami headed in our own direction.
The day was a success. I am not looking at the glass optimistically as if it were half full. I am certainly not looking at the glass pessimistically as if it were half empty. I am however looking at the glass opportunistically; to drink it. Simply put, as a member of the FPTA, we need to evaluate and reflect our triumphs and mishaps. The organization, location, and presentations given during the advocacy training were terrific. Awesome hotel, food, excellent support information, and presentations that were interesting, helpful, and informative.
However, our sponsor in the House thought we were massage therapists. At one point, I had to explain to him that physical therapists were to bones and muscles as dentists were to gums and teeth so he would stop raving about the massages he has had before. He was good for a non-controversial issue, but what about direct access or dry needling? He clearly did not know the field.
There were many questions that could have been anticipated (dates, how it was before, why tests dates) but had to be answered by several different individuals because one could not fully articulate the nuances of our field. In fairness, legislators are bombarded with issues from hundreds of fields; the education of our elected officials is our job. The advancement of our bill that day has created a ripple effect that shouldn’t be left unrecognized.
I read a blog by Mike Reinold, a physical therapist that I hope to meet someday, and Head Athletic Trainer/Assistant Director of Medical Services for the Boston Red Sox. The article highlighted the common adage used in physical therapy called the “kinetic chain.” Dr. Reinold’s focal point was that far too often the body is more analogous to a ripple in the water with some parts not following the notion “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link”. He noted that the body follows a “kinetic ripple.”
My extreme love for Anatomy and Biomechanics was put on the back burner, for I found the ripple synonymous with our progress in the state capital on January 17th. I was intrigued in that the correlation heads in all directions. Perhaps we can all look further into Temporary licensure in that not only does the legislation create jobs for new graduates, but also lays the foundation for the future of young practitioners, their involvement, and the success for the organization at the Capital. FPTA staff, students and clinicians…stay diligent, because you never know what’s over the next wave.
Leighton Peavler, SPT, FPTA, GAC
Student Representative, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
For comments and questions, please do not hesitate to contact Leighton at LeightonPeavler@gmail.com
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Why Politics Is Important to Physical Therapists
Congratulations to Eric Chaconas, DPT of the Florida Government Affairs Committee and and Scott Harp, PhD Vice President of the Florida Physical Therapy Association for hitting their attendance goals for the 2012 Florida State Advocacy Training program in Tallahassee on January 16 and 17, 2012.
Thirty five physical therapists and physical therapist assistants attended and the 2012 Advocacy Day was a HUGE success!
I highly recommend Charles Krauthhamer's excellent article in the Washington Post on December 30th which asks Are We Alone in the Universe?
Don't worry, its not science fiction - rather, Krauthhamer posits that politics is the driver of history and the organizer of our affairs:
Thirty five physical therapists and physical therapist assistants attended and the 2012 Advocacy Day was a HUGE success!
"FPTA members were treated to visits during the Advocacy Workshop by both Senator Montford and Rep. Goodson who offered praise and strong support for physical therapist and students taking time to travel to Tallahassee to advocate for their profession.
“The perfect lobbyist for the physical therapy profession is physical therapists and your students in training,” said Senator Montford.Why is politics important for the physical therapist?
I highly recommend Charles Krauthhamer's excellent article in the Washington Post on December 30th which asks Are We Alone in the Universe?
Don't worry, its not science fiction - rather, Krauthhamer posits that politics is the driver of history and the organizer of our affairs:
"This is the work of politics — understood as the ordering of society and the regulation of power to permit human flourishing while simultaneously restraining the most Hobbesian human instincts.
There could be no greater irony: For all the sublimity of art, physics, music, mathematics and other manifestations of human genius, everything depends on the mundane, frustrating, often debased vocation known as politics (and its most exacting subspecialty — statecraft).
Because if we don’t get politics right, everything else risks extinction.
We grow justly weary of our politics. But we must remember this: Politics — in all its grubby, grasping, corrupt, contemptible manifestations — is sovereign in human affairs. Everything ultimately rests upon it.
Fairly or not, politics is the driver of history."
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Why Do Physical Therapists Need to Track Florida's 2012 Legislative Bills?
I think it was Mark Twain who said:
Yet I'm now going to suggest to you that you sign up for the Bill Tracker features on the Florida Senate and the Florida House websites.
These features will give you a blow-by-blow stream of e-mail messages on the progress or barriers to the 2012 Florida Physical Therapy Association's legislative bills.
Senate Bill 1128 by Senator Montford and House Bill 799 by Rep. Goodson will enact Temporary Licensure for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants by making changes to the physical therapist practice act (FS 486).
So, why should you want to watch our legislation being made (hopefully) into a new law for the State of Florida?
Here are some suggested reasons to sign up for Bill Tracker:
Its free. Its easy.
I just hope you don't lose your appetite for the legislative process.
"We should never watch laws or sausage being made, for if we did we would lose our appetite for both"
These features will give you a blow-by-blow stream of e-mail messages on the progress or barriers to the 2012 Florida Physical Therapy Association's legislative bills.
Senate Bill 1128 by Senator Montford and House Bill 799 by Rep. Goodson will enact Temporary Licensure for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants by making changes to the physical therapist practice act (FS 486).
So, why should you want to watch our legislation being made (hopefully) into a new law for the State of Florida?
Here are some suggested reasons to sign up for Bill Tracker:
- You will stay current with the FPTA bill's progress or setbacks.
- You will receive periodic updates
- You will be able to mobilize your local Key Contacts should the bill get stuck in committee.
- You will know at a moments notice if your presence is needed in Tallahassee for testimony before committee.
Here is a short video (1:41) showing the set-up process of the Florida Senate website
Its free. Its easy.
I just hope you don't lose your appetite for the legislative process.
Monday, October 17, 2011
"Safe" Legislation in Florida in 2012
There were, from my perspective, three "big" issues discussed by the physical therapy community at the American Physical Therapy Association's 2011 State Policy and Payment Forum in Austin, Texas:
Each of these states successfully implemented legislation that improves access for patients to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Each of these state had a unique story and a strategy for accomplishing their mission. Each state was able to accomplish their mission through a sustained grassroots movement and by substantial financial support from the membership, both within the state and from members in other states.
Web-based advocacy, fundraising, consciousness-raising, public relations, social media and communications were a significant factor in California, Texas and New Yorks’ legislative strategies.
Each of these states’ legislative strategies (which were all successful, by various measures) met with significant opposition from physician groups. The California opposition was particularly vociferous, even resorting to name-calling and punitive actions.
There was also a very important piece of research presented in Austin by Pendergrass et al that showed self-referred PT episodes used 14% fewer visits and cost 13% less than physician directed episodes of care. I mention this because it is a landmark study but I view this within the context of Direct Access legislation.
I provide extensive details in these blog posts, written during the presentations and the breakout sessions. Since this is a summary document, I will just provide the links:
How should the physical therapist community respond to this new information?
Each state must make its own choice based on its members’ needs, available resources and unique legislative situation. Before embarking on any course of action, it is essential that a plurality of the membership support the decision.
From my perspective, there are two general approaches state leadership could choose:
To illustrate one course of action, I will describe the choice made by Florida (3rd largest state by population) and contrast that with the choices made by California (1st largest state) in choosing a legislative strategy.
Immediately following the 2011 State Policy and Payment Forum, to which Florida sent two representatives, the Florida leadership elected to pursue a “safe” legislative agenda in 2012. This agenda will attempt to open the Florida Practice Act (FS 486) to improve language offering Temporary Licenses to new graduate PT and PTAs.
The Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) lobbyists feel that Temporary License legislation is unlikely to be opposed by physician or specialty groups seeking to defend their turf. Therefore, in their opinion, Temporary License legislation is “safe”. It seems unlikely that Temporary License legislation, however worthy it is on its own merits, will deliver that same benefits gained by California, Texas and Kentucky.
Evidence offered by California and Texas showed that Anti-POPTs and Direct Access legislation, respectively, earned ADDITIONAL donations to the state PAC of $100,000 and $60,000, respectively. Also, California gained over 3,000 signatures on a petition supporting anti-POPTs legislation. Over 400 Texas physical came to San Antonio in 2011 to rally in support of Direct Access legislation. California enjoyed extensive and favorable nationally syndicated television and print media exposure in support of their anti-POPTs effort.
In both California and Texas, their respective legislative efforts were anything but “safe”.
I provide additional supporting documentation on “safe” legislation in a previous post.
State leadership needs to understand the risk/reward exchange they face each year among competing legislative priorities and rank the various issues that could be (and have been) addressed through legislative means and assign an explicit risk, dichotomized as high/low, and an explicit reward.
That way, individual leaders from each state could use the document to better understand the rewards they might expect from a well-planned “controversial” legislative strategy. Also, they might better understand the risks they face from so-called “safe” legislation.
Like hiding your money in your mattress to make sure that it is “safe”, failing to pursue an aggressive legislative agenda in this era of health care change just might prevent physical therapists from reaching our goals.
- Co-payment legislation (Kentucky, New York, New Jersey)
- Direct Access legislation (Texas)
- Anti-POPTs legislation (California)
Each of these states successfully implemented legislation that improves access for patients to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Each of these state had a unique story and a strategy for accomplishing their mission. Each state was able to accomplish their mission through a sustained grassroots movement and by substantial financial support from the membership, both within the state and from members in other states.
Web-based advocacy, fundraising, consciousness-raising, public relations, social media and communications were a significant factor in California, Texas and New Yorks’ legislative strategies.
Each of these states’ legislative strategies (which were all successful, by various measures) met with significant opposition from physician groups. The California opposition was particularly vociferous, even resorting to name-calling and punitive actions.
There was also a very important piece of research presented in Austin by Pendergrass et al that showed self-referred PT episodes used 14% fewer visits and cost 13% less than physician directed episodes of care. I mention this because it is a landmark study but I view this within the context of Direct Access legislation.
I provide extensive details in these blog posts, written during the presentations and the breakout sessions. Since this is a summary document, I will just provide the links:
- Successful co-payment legislation in Kentucky
- State Legislative Advocacy
- New Direct Access research supporting independent decision making by physical therapists saves money
- Direct Access legislation in Texas in 2011
How should the physical therapist community respond to this new information?
Each state must make its own choice based on its members’ needs, available resources and unique legislative situation. Before embarking on any course of action, it is essential that a plurality of the membership support the decision.
From my perspective, there are two general approaches state leadership could choose:
- The “safe” alternative as proposed by Florida
- A more controversial alternative, such as pursued by California and Texas.
- Most states desire a broad-based “grassroots” support from their PT and PTA membership both to assure that the collective needs are being addressed and to distribute the workload on moving forward a legislative agenda.
- Most states desire and need ongoing, substantial financial donations to the physical therapist Political Action Committee (PAC) to support lobbying efforts.
To illustrate one course of action, I will describe the choice made by Florida (3rd largest state by population) and contrast that with the choices made by California (1st largest state) in choosing a legislative strategy.
Immediately following the 2011 State Policy and Payment Forum, to which Florida sent two representatives, the Florida leadership elected to pursue a “safe” legislative agenda in 2012. This agenda will attempt to open the Florida Practice Act (FS 486) to improve language offering Temporary Licenses to new graduate PT and PTAs.
The Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) lobbyists feel that Temporary License legislation is unlikely to be opposed by physician or specialty groups seeking to defend their turf. Therefore, in their opinion, Temporary License legislation is “safe”. It seems unlikely that Temporary License legislation, however worthy it is on its own merits, will deliver that same benefits gained by California, Texas and Kentucky.
Evidence offered by California and Texas showed that Anti-POPTs and Direct Access legislation, respectively, earned ADDITIONAL donations to the state PAC of $100,000 and $60,000, respectively. Also, California gained over 3,000 signatures on a petition supporting anti-POPTs legislation. Over 400 Texas physical came to San Antonio in 2011 to rally in support of Direct Access legislation. California enjoyed extensive and favorable nationally syndicated television and print media exposure in support of their anti-POPTs effort.
In both California and Texas, their respective legislative efforts were anything but “safe”.
I provide additional supporting documentation on “safe” legislation in a previous post.
State leadership needs to understand the risk/reward exchange they face each year among competing legislative priorities and rank the various issues that could be (and have been) addressed through legislative means and assign an explicit risk, dichotomized as high/low, and an explicit reward.
That way, individual leaders from each state could use the document to better understand the rewards they might expect from a well-planned “controversial” legislative strategy. Also, they might better understand the risks they face from so-called “safe” legislation.
Like hiding your money in your mattress to make sure that it is “safe”, failing to pursue an aggressive legislative agenda in this era of health care change just might prevent physical therapists from reaching our goals.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants Invited to Florida West Central District Meeting
The University of South Florida School of Physical Therapy is hosting the West Central District Meeting on Saturday, January 15th from 11am to 5pm. Lunch is provided.
I will present the most recent material from my new book, Bulletproof Expert Systems: Clinical Decision Support for Physical Therapists in the Outpatient Setting. The book is in editing and is due out in hardcover on April 30th, 2010.
The format of the meeting will provide 5 hours continuing education from my material and 1 hour for the business meeting. Lunch will be served form 1 to 2pm.
The USF School of Physical Therapy is located here.
Our agenda will cover these five topics:
What You Will Learn
I hope you can make it!
I will present the most recent material from my new book, Bulletproof Expert Systems: Clinical Decision Support for Physical Therapists in the Outpatient Setting. The book is in editing and is due out in hardcover on April 30th, 2010.
The format of the meeting will provide 5 hours continuing education from my material and 1 hour for the business meeting. Lunch will be served form 1 to 2pm.
Our agenda will cover these five topics:
- Medicare "Improvement Standard"
- Accountable Care Organizations (ACO)
- Clinical Decision Support systems (CDSs)
- Treatment Based Classification (TBC)
- Physical Therapist Decision Making
What You Will Learn
- What is the Bayesian approach to problem solving? How can we determine the prevalence of the condition in our patients? Which tests do we use to make the diagnosis?
- How to use likelihood ratios to determine the value of clinical testing. What if the likelihood ratios are not published?
- What is Treatment Based Classification (TBC) for physical therapy? What are some other types of classification in rehabilitation? Why do we need to classify our patients?
- What are Clinical Prediction Rules (CPR) and how are they used to screen for pathology? Why should physical therapists screen for pathology?
- How can electronic Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools improve your productivity, improve your processes-of-care and improve your patient outcomes? How is Clinical Decision Support (CDS) different than an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)?
- Will the use of TBC treatment algorithms lower healthcare costs?
- Who is qualified to use TBC and CDS algorithms in the clinic? Can Physical Therapist Assistants apply these tests?
- What proportion of your work should be algorithmic? What proportion of your work should be naturalistic?
- The learner will become familiar with probabilistic decision-making styles in physical therapy.
- The learner will learn how to evaluate clinical tests and measures based on their diagnostic accuracy – can they rule-in or rule-out certain diagnoses.
- The learner will become familiar with the hierarchy of evidence development and will learn when the clinical judgment of the physical therapist is necessary to apply decision rules.
- The learner will be able to distinguish between the features of an electronic Clinical Decision Support system and an Electronic Medical Record.
- The learner will become familiar with literature describing the impact of CDS systems on the process-of-care and patient outcomes.
- The learner will become familiar with literature describing the development of TBC in physical therapy and CPR in medicine.
I hope you can make it!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Florida Physical Therapy Association's 2010 Legislative Advocacy Academy
They say you should never watch sausage or our state's laws being made - you may enjoy the final product but you won't enjoy the legislative process.
This year physical therapists will challenge ourselves to update and modernize the physical therapist practice act (FS. 486).
The 2010 FPTA Advocacy Academy in Tallahassee put the lie to that old chestnut - when you get involved in grassroots advocacy for physical therapy you challenge yourself in a way that is scary and thrilling at the same time - I know because I did it from January 31st-February 1st, 2010.
I sat in a class of about 15 physical therapists and the FPTA Chief Executive Officer, Craig Crosby, while we listened to lobbyists, media consultants, staff lawyers, legislative assistants and other folks familiar with sausage, er... I mean laws, being made.
The agenda was as follows:
The new legislation can first be introduced on March 2nd, 2010 - the start of the 2010 legislative session in Tallahassee.
Physical therapists can help the process by calling your local, state legislator now, before March 2nd, and recommending support for an upcoming physical therapy bill.
A specific bill number will be available soon and updates are available at the FPTA website.
This year physical therapists will challenge ourselves to update and modernize the physical therapist practice act (FS. 486).
The 2010 FPTA Advocacy Academy in Tallahassee put the lie to that old chestnut - when you get involved in grassroots advocacy for physical therapy you challenge yourself in a way that is scary and thrilling at the same time - I know because I did it from January 31st-February 1st, 2010.
I sat in a class of about 15 physical therapists and the FPTA Chief Executive Officer, Craig Crosby, while we listened to lobbyists, media consultants, staff lawyers, legislative assistants and other folks familiar with sausage, er... I mean laws, being made.
The agenda was as follows:
- Ken Jacob, physical therapist and the legislative process
- Sheila Nicholson, FPTA president and attorney on grassroots advocacy
- Barry Monroe from the Florida Senate Health Care Staff
- John Van Gieson, media consultant
- Bob Rowe, physical therapist update on manipulation and chiropractic legislative intent.
- Gene Adams and Martha Edenfield, FPTA lobbyists in Tallahassee
- Lisa Weisman, House legislative aide in Tallahassee
- protecting the designator, DPT, as the Doctor of Physical Therapy.
- removing only specific designators (eg: practice acts 458, 460, et al) from referring to physical therapy.
Anyone remember the issue with Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP)?
They couldn't refer to PT because they weren't specifically designated. ARNP's receive their license under the nurse practice act (FS. 464) which is not specifically designated as being able to refer to PT. This issue will go away under the new practice act.
The new legislation can first be introduced on March 2nd, 2010 - the start of the 2010 legislative session in Tallahassee.
Physical therapists can help the process by calling your local, state legislator now, before March 2nd, and recommending support for an upcoming physical therapy bill.
A specific bill number will be available soon and updates are available at the FPTA website.
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