| The American Physical Therapy Association | | | | meet a series of requirements, as put forth by |
| (APTA) has made several modifications to | | | | APTA. It is important that this is taken seriously |
| existing physical therapy trends under its Vision | | | | and not simply considered a physical therapy |
| 2020 strategy. For instance, one of the tenets of | | | | trend. The patient's safety is of utmost concern |
| Vision 2020 is autonomous practice. The APTA | | | | and the experience should leave the client feeling |
| Board has declared that autonomous practice is | | | | as though he or she had visited a physical |
| applicable to all physical therapists cutting across | | | | therapist had been there to advise her in person. |
| practice setting or business arrangement, creating | | | | It is now the responsibility of the physical |
| opportunities for a new physical therapy trend to | | | | therapist to keep client records to prove their |
| develop. | | | | involvement in physical therapy. Failure to do so |
| Autonomous practice allows physical therapists to | | | | could result in a disastrous physical therapy trend. |
| work independently, using professional judgment | | | | The information needs to be kept in a way that is |
| and adhering to the patient's best interest. This is | | | | clear and concise. If fraudulent practices were to |
| more of an opportunity than a physical therapy | | | | surface, a well-maintained practice would be safe |
| trend. The therapist has to take responsibility for | | | | from any type of physical therapy trend that |
| the risks involved with such a profession and use | | | | may develop. |
| proper physical therapy patient management. | | | | The changes and goals of APTA will have a |
| Physical therapists are also able to work alongside | | | | strong impact on almost every physical therapy |
| other health care providers to bring more quality | | | | trend. With information now requiring more detail, |
| care to their clients.All applicable legal and | | | | the latest physical therapy trend may prove to |
| regulatory requirements in this context need to | | | | become a smooth and efficient practice. A new |
| be followed. | | | | physical therapy trend to develop in North |
| APTA has issued guidelines specific to any physical | | | | America is that of multi-service clinics. These |
| therapy trend related to 'telehealth'. "Telehealth" | | | | clinics may feature a combination of physical |
| refers to the "use of electronic communication to | | | | therapists, chiropractors, and even dentists. |
| provide and deliver a host of health-related | | | | The point of this type of physical therapy trend is |
| information and health care services, including, but | | | | to bring as many different services to the patient |
| not limited to, "physical therapy-related information | | | | as possible. Clients appreciate having to take less |
| and services over large and small distances". In | | | | time out of their busy schedules. Every practice |
| this definition, electronic communication includes | | | | should reap the rewards of this growing physical |
| text messaging, e-mailing, faxing, using such | | | | therapy trend and establish their office among |
| devices as cell phones, fax machines, and the | | | | peers when possible. Often, another health care |
| Internet, which can all contribute to the | | | | professional's client will stop by your office on |
| development of a new physical therapy trend. | | | | their way to anther appointment, helping the |
| As a result, services offered by telehealth must | | | | trend to blossom and flourish. |