Physical Therapy Observation Paper

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Physical Therapy Observation
Several people as well as I have wondered what exactly a PT is and what the difference between PT and the PTA. After several hours of observation I have slowly caught on to the slight differences. Physical therapists (PT) are more so considered the professional practitioner of physical therapy. PT’s have more responsibilities than the physical therapist assistant and it also requires more education.
There are several different characteristics that are important to both the PT and the PTA. Both of these professions should have the same core values such as compassion, trust, integrity, confidence and of course professionalism. I have been to multiple physical therapy sites and I have seen different types of people. From what I have witnessed there can be the boring and the fun PT/PTA’s although most of them have one thing in …show more content…

The PT is the “doctor” the one that analyzes them and sets up the care for the patient. They are the “leaders” of the group and they are also responsible for their PTA’s and the care that they provide to the patients. The PT has the interpretation of referrals, they examine and diagnose the patient. They plan the care and they reexamine the patient. The PTA is involved with the patients more because they do more one on one care. They are able to address exercises but it should be approved by the PT. They are the assistant they help with the exercises and they make sure that are able to perform them, if not, they are able to find an alternative. When I had observed I was mostly with a PTA because they had more one on one action with the patient. There was one time I had entered a room with the PT and the patient. The PT had analyzed a patient’s foot and was able to come up with exercises and how long they will be doing therapy for, and what the outcome could or could not be. After this, the PTA came in and began exercising with the