New PT Legislation - cause for concern for O&P?!?
Todd Griffin
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Title:
New PT Legislation - cause for concern for O&P?!?
Creator:
Todd Griffin
Text:
Maybe I'm a little naiive, but it seems to me you guys are reading WAY too
much into this legislation. The PT's of this country are (and have been for
several years) trying to protect the business they are in now, not trying to
branch out into yours. Therapists (like every other health care field) have
taken a bath on reimbursement in recent years, and many outpatient PT
clinics are using other, less costly, allied health care professionals. For
example, they may employ one or more certified athletic trainers who treat
patients under the supervision of a PT, instead of having a staff full of
PTs. This means fewer PT jobs on the market, and THIS is what concerns
them!
Basically, this legislation is the PT's political attempt to hoard every
other health care professional out of rehab. To be honest, it reminds me a
lot of the arguements I hear in here regarding O&P (sometimes narrow-minded
and VERY one-sided). Just like O&P, the role of a therapist is crucial in
the spectrum of healthcare. But does that mean that a therapist (or
orthotist) is the ONLY qualified professional that should be allowed to
perform ANY duty that falls within the scope of your practice? Hardly.
So don't worry too much about the PT's. Sure, there will always be a few
who produce foot orthotics or fit knee braces, but that is not their focus
nor their goal. Besides, any legislation passed by either group is not
likely to change it!
Todd Griffin MS, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at <URL Redacted>
much into this legislation. The PT's of this country are (and have been for
several years) trying to protect the business they are in now, not trying to
branch out into yours. Therapists (like every other health care field) have
taken a bath on reimbursement in recent years, and many outpatient PT
clinics are using other, less costly, allied health care professionals. For
example, they may employ one or more certified athletic trainers who treat
patients under the supervision of a PT, instead of having a staff full of
PTs. This means fewer PT jobs on the market, and THIS is what concerns
them!
Basically, this legislation is the PT's political attempt to hoard every
other health care professional out of rehab. To be honest, it reminds me a
lot of the arguements I hear in here regarding O&P (sometimes narrow-minded
and VERY one-sided). Just like O&P, the role of a therapist is crucial in
the spectrum of healthcare. But does that mean that a therapist (or
orthotist) is the ONLY qualified professional that should be allowed to
perform ANY duty that falls within the scope of your practice? Hardly.
So don't worry too much about the PT's. Sure, there will always be a few
who produce foot orthotics or fit knee braces, but that is not their focus
nor their goal. Besides, any legislation passed by either group is not
likely to change it!
Todd Griffin MS, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at <URL Redacted>
Citation
Todd Griffin, “New PT Legislation - cause for concern for O&P?!?,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/213877.
