What will direct access mean for the everyday patient?
It is found that with direct access,patients who are self-referred have fewer physical therapy visits decreased allowable amounts. Not to mention the opportunity that each patient is given with direct access when it comes to choosing who their physical therapy provider should be.
A study shows that brief physical therapy treatment for musculoskeletal disorders improve not only clinical status and pain, but also work function, psychological well-being, and sickness absence in an occupational setting. Assessing 231 participants pre- and post-treatment, this study was conducted to examine the impact of direct access to physical therapy treatment in an occupational setting. Researchers used the work function score (WFS) to measure any reduced capabilities in the work setting, a visual analogue scale (VASP) to measure pain, an adjusted clinical score (ACS) to measure muscle strength and movement, range of joint movement and stability, and joint function, and finally they used a self-reported questionnaire to measure the sickness absence of the patients. Overall, it was found that WFS improved by 63% following treatment, 94% of patients had some improvement in VASP, and 84% showed improvement in the ACS. The questionnaire results showed that respondents indicated that physical therapy prevented them from going absent from work and reduced the likelihood of any future absences.
A study shows that brief physical therapy treatment for musculoskeletal disorders improve not only clinical status and pain, but also work function, psychological well-being, and sickness absence in an occupational setting. Assessing 231 participants pre- and post-treatment, this study was conducted to examine the impact of direct access to physical therapy treatment in an occupational setting. Researchers used the work function score (WFS) to measure any reduced capabilities in the work setting, a visual analogue scale (VASP) to measure pain, an adjusted clinical score (ACS) to measure muscle strength and movement, range of joint movement and stability, and joint function, and finally they used a self-reported questionnaire to measure the sickness absence of the patients. Overall, it was found that WFS improved by 63% following treatment, 94% of patients had some improvement in VASP, and 84% showed improvement in the ACS. The questionnaire results showed that respondents indicated that physical therapy prevented them from going absent from work and reduced the likelihood of any future absences.
what will direct access mean for the physical therapists?
Bill Whiteford
If this legislation were to pass and state law’s included orthoses and prostheses[1] within their definition of what physical therapist practice covers, physical therapists would then be able to provide, and be paid for, orthoses and prostheses care without a physician’s referral.Without this legislation, there is a lot of competition from other types of providers who are able to market their wellness services directly to clients; in contrast to physical therapists who can currently only practice with patients who have obtained referrals.They would have the option to offer fitness and wellness activities to their patients. For example, in Virginia a physical therapist, Bill Whiteford, states, “we’re instituting a stretch and exercise class for people with fibromyalgia. It’s a preventive class with a set fee for 10 weeks of participation”. Whiteford also states, “When it comes to the opportunities that this legislation is going to present, we’re really only limited by our imagination”. There has never been a better time for physical therapists to get into a private practice due to the numerous ways in which they can take full advantage of first party payment
Direct access gives physical therapists the ability to work with payers to demonstrate the cost effective benefits of early intervention and physical therapy care. Many important roles of a physical therapist fall outside of what is covered by third-party payers such as school-based pediatric physical therapists and direct access gives physical therapists longer reins when it comes to exploring more of these roles. There are many physical therapists that would like to exploit the multiple opportunities outside of the traditional medical models for physical therapy but without direct access that will not be possible.
[1] Orthoses- An orthopedic appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve function of movable parts of the body.
Prostheses- An artificial replacement for a missing body part: artificial limb or total joint replacement (Farlex).
Direct access gives physical therapists the ability to work with payers to demonstrate the cost effective benefits of early intervention and physical therapy care. Many important roles of a physical therapist fall outside of what is covered by third-party payers such as school-based pediatric physical therapists and direct access gives physical therapists longer reins when it comes to exploring more of these roles. There are many physical therapists that would like to exploit the multiple opportunities outside of the traditional medical models for physical therapy but without direct access that will not be possible.
[1] Orthoses- An orthopedic appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve function of movable parts of the body.
Prostheses- An artificial replacement for a missing body part: artificial limb or total joint replacement (Farlex).