Are PTs Qualified to Provide O&P Services?
AOPA
Description
Collection
Title:
Are PTs Qualified to Provide O&P Services?
Creator:
AOPA
Date:
6/13/2003
Text:
Are PTs Qualified to Prescribe, Fabricate and Provide O&P Services?
In several states, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is
working to expand the scope of practice of physical therapy to include
the prescription, fabrication and provision of orthotic and prosthetic
devices. Currently 10 states include some reference to orthotic and/or
prosthetic care in their state physical therapy practice act.
In its efforts to expand state scope of practice laws, APTA has
successfully claimed that there is no evidence that PTs have delivered
substandard O&P care to patients. Additionally, PTs argue that there
are no examples that show PTs are not able to repair or adjust O&P
devices. We believe this is simply not the case.
In order to adequately respond to these allegations, we are collecting
examples to support AOPA's contention that PTs are not qualified to
prescribe, fabricate, provide, adjust and repair the full range of O&P
services needed by patients today.
AOPA requests that the field share its experiences on this issue. We
are looking for detailed examples where:
--PTs inappropriately fit or adjusted an orthotic and/or prosthetic
device;
--PTs provided inadequate training in the use of an orthotic and/or
prosthetic device;
--PTs were forced to refer a patient to an O&P practitioner to
repair or adjust an orthotic or prosthetic device.
Please note, AOPA recognizes the close working relationship that takes
place among a variety of health care providers including PTs and O&P
professionals to treat musculoskeletal problems and amputations. To
this end, we want to assure you that your confidentiality will be
maintained. Therefore, AOPA will not use the names of O&P facilities
and practitioners, the name of PTs or the names of facilities that
employ PTs.
Responses to this request from the O&P field are urgently needed if we
hope to combat the expansion of PTs' scope of practice into the O&P
field. If you would like to share an example described above, please
contact AOPA's Walt Gorski at 571-431-0809 or e-mail <Email Address Redacted>
In several states, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is
working to expand the scope of practice of physical therapy to include
the prescription, fabrication and provision of orthotic and prosthetic
devices. Currently 10 states include some reference to orthotic and/or
prosthetic care in their state physical therapy practice act.
In its efforts to expand state scope of practice laws, APTA has
successfully claimed that there is no evidence that PTs have delivered
substandard O&P care to patients. Additionally, PTs argue that there
are no examples that show PTs are not able to repair or adjust O&P
devices. We believe this is simply not the case.
In order to adequately respond to these allegations, we are collecting
examples to support AOPA's contention that PTs are not qualified to
prescribe, fabricate, provide, adjust and repair the full range of O&P
services needed by patients today.
AOPA requests that the field share its experiences on this issue. We
are looking for detailed examples where:
--PTs inappropriately fit or adjusted an orthotic and/or prosthetic
device;
--PTs provided inadequate training in the use of an orthotic and/or
prosthetic device;
--PTs were forced to refer a patient to an O&P practitioner to
repair or adjust an orthotic or prosthetic device.
Please note, AOPA recognizes the close working relationship that takes
place among a variety of health care providers including PTs and O&P
professionals to treat musculoskeletal problems and amputations. To
this end, we want to assure you that your confidentiality will be
maintained. Therefore, AOPA will not use the names of O&P facilities
and practitioners, the name of PTs or the names of facilities that
employ PTs.
Responses to this request from the O&P field are urgently needed if we
hope to combat the expansion of PTs' scope of practice into the O&P
field. If you would like to share an example described above, please
contact AOPA's Walt Gorski at 571-431-0809 or e-mail <Email Address Redacted>
Citation
AOPA, “Are PTs Qualified to Provide O&P Services?,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/221201.
