Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

scholarly journals The Revised APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant: Theory, Purpose, Process, and Significance

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lee Swisher ◽  
Peggy Hiller ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Deliberative Process ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistant ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

IntroductionIn June 2009, the House of Delegates (HOD) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) passed a major revision of the APTA Code of Ethics for physical therapists and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. The revised documents will be effective July 1, 2010.PurposeThe purposes of this article are: (1) to provide a historical, professional, and theoretical context for this important revision; (2) to describe the 4-year revision process; (3) to examine major features of the documents; and (4) to discuss the significance of the revisions from the perspective of the maturation of physical therapy as a doctoring profession.Process of RevisionThe process for revision is delineated within the context of history and the Bylaws of APTA.Format, Structure, and Content of Revised Core Ethics DocumentsThe revised documents represent a significant change in format, level of detail, and scope of application. Previous APTA Codes of Ethics and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant have delineated very broad general principles, with specific obligations spelled out in the Ethics and Judicial Committee's Guide for Professional Conduct and Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant. In contrast to the current documents, the revised documents address all 5 roles of the physical therapist, delineate ethical obligations in organizational and business contexts, and align with the tenets of Vision 2020.SignificanceThe significance of this revision is discussed within historical parameters, the implications for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, the maturation of the profession, societal accountability and moral community, potential regulatory implications, and the inclusive and deliberative process of moral dialogue by which changes were developed, revised, and approved.

Employment of Physical Therapist Assistants in a Residential State School

1979 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1243-1246
Author(s):  
Venita Lovelace-Chandler ◽  
Ben Lovelace-Chandler
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapist ◽  
State School ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

Exploration of Content and Reach of Physical Therapy-Related Discussion on Twitter

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 1048-1055
Author(s):  
Carla Sabus ◽  
Blake Johns ◽  
Nathan Schultz ◽  
Kendra Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants ◽  
Temporal Events

Abstract Background Many individuals access and share health information on social networking sites. Previous studies have analyzed the social media site Twitter to discern public opinion related to health phenomena such as antibiotics, concussions, and flu. Physical therapy-related online discussions have not been studied. Objective The aim of this study was to explore content, participants, and structure of physical therapy-related discussions on Twitter. Design This study was observational. Methods Over 12 weeks, more than 30,000 physical therapy-related tweets were collected. A random sample of 100 tweets underwent preliminary analysis to determine broad categories including tweet author, tone, and theme. A second random sample of 100 tweets was analyzed to confirm categories. Once categories were established, a new sample of 1000 tweets was randomly selected for analysis and categorization. All study investigators categorized a shared collection of tweets to establish inter- and intrarater agreement. Twitter conversations were visualized using NodeXL. Results Intrarater and interrater agreement for tweet categorization was 95% and 89%, respectively. The distribution of the intended audience was 35.5% professional, 35.5% broad reach, and 29% public. The gross distribution of tweet tone was 63.1% neutral, 31.4% positive, and 5.6% negative. Twenty-eight percent of tweets were authored by physical therapists/physical therapist assistants and nearly one-half were categorized as “marketing.” Tweets tended to be “isolated,” not within a conversation, or consist of conversation within “tight crowds.” Limitations This study was purely observational. Social media content can be highly influenced by temporal events, which limits the generalization of specific findings. Conclusions Study results indicate that the reach of physical therapy-related tweets may not be as broad as intended by the author. Physical therapy professionals and the hospitals/clinics that employ them may need to implement strategies to be more intentional in reaching a broader audience with online messages.

scholarly journals Cause, Prevalence, and Response to Occupational Musculoskeletal Injuries Reported by Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 642-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L Holder ◽  
Holly A Clark ◽  
John M DiBlasio ◽  
Carol L Hughes ◽  
John W Scherpf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injuries ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Frequent Change ◽  
Work Habits ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants ◽  
American Physical

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are susceptible to occupational musculoskeletal injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the reported causes and prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal injuries to PTs and PTAs during a 2-year period. Subjects. A questionnaire was mailed to 500 PTs and 500 PTAs randomly selected from the American Physical Therapy Association 1996 active membership list. Six hundred sixty-seven questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 67%. Method. Based on a literature review and a pilot study, an occupational injury questionnaire was constructed and mailed. Self-reports of injuries were obtained. Results. Thirty-two percent of the PTs and 35% of the PTAs reported sustaining a musculoskeletal injury. The highest prevalence of injury was to the low back (62% of injured PTs and 56% of injured PTAs). The PTs reported the upper back and the wrist and hand as having the second highest prevalence (23%). The PTAs reported the upper back as having the second highest prevalence (28%). The PTs and PTAs reported making changes in their work habits of improved body mechanics, increased use of other personnel, and frequent change of work position. The majority of PTs and PTAs reported they did not limit patient contact time or area of practice after sustaining an injury. Conclusion and Discussion. Although PTs and PTAs are recognized to knowledgeable in prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, they are susceptible to sustaining occupational musculoskeletal injuries because of performing labor-intensive tasks.

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