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Physiotherapy Support Personnel (PSA)

1033 Words5 Pages

To increase the efficiency of patient care, the health care system has included the addition of support personnel for many professions such as doctors, dentists, and even physiotherapists (PT) who benefit from delegation of tasks. But, due to the lack of research pertaining to support personnel, like physiotherapy assistants (PTA), the scope of practice and limitations to these roles are not fully developed1,2,3. PTAs were initially created in order to aid PTs with time management so that more patients could be assessed and treated, thus allowing for optimal and efficient patient care1,2,4. Even though they are responsible for their own actions and practices, PTAs work under the licence and thus are the responsibility of PTs1,4. The purpose …show more content…

One main goals of this study was to determine which activities the PSP were doing that underused their skillset or they were unqualified to do1,3. The NPAG sent out a questionnaire asking if 172 items may or may not be included in the scope of PSP practice. It was found that PSPs with formal education (college degree) did more tasks dealing with collection of data and treatment interventions compared to PSP with on the job training who did more administrative, scheduling, and maintenance tasks3. Interestingly, 23 items on the questionnaire were tasks that PSPs did frequently yet were not expected to do, such as oxygen administration, manual muscle testing, manual traction techniques, and ultrasound administration3. In the interview with Laura Baillie, she mentioned feeling comfortable with letting her PTA apply modalities to a patient, including ultrasound. It is important to note however that Laura never received any formal training with respect to the scope of practice for …show more content…

These are based on the competencies that are outlined by the NPAG as well as subjectively by PTs that are responsible for any tasks the PTA performs. Importantly, the PTA role is still not clearly identified which results in many PTAs doing tasks outside of their scope of practice. This could be due to many factors such as the increasing demand for PTs to diagnose, assess, and provide treatment plans to clients, as well as the lack of knowledge available surrounding the PTA scope of practice. It is important to note that the study that the NPAG conducted was used to update the competency profile document, however, PTA roles and scopes of practice need to be set so that they do not act outside of their knowledge base and put clients in harm’s way and PTs can effectively

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According to the student supervision chart we reviewed in class, PTA services are reimbursable in a variety of different settings. Reimbursement is a way for the patient to be sure they are getting the proper treatment they need. This means that the insurance company will give the patient a refund as long as the services are given correctly. Some settings PTA services are reimbursable include skilled nursing facilities, hospital facilities and outpatient rehab agencies. Though PTA students are allowed to provide their services in these settings, they cannot work with patients without direct supervision by a licensed physical therapist.

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1132 Words | 5 Pages

It is the most influential source of insight for PA’s practicing in MI. Its purpose is to “encourage its members to abide by the AAPA code of ethical conduct”, “serve as a public information center with respect to its members, health professions, governments agencies, and the general public”, and “ represent its members in matters of legislation in order to maintain and further develop the practice of the profession” 2. Since the mid 1970s, MAPA has been an important advocator for its members and has not only worked on the improvement of working environments for physician assistants but is also involved in politicizing for enhancements in the scope of practice as well as raising a voice on actions that may impose a threat on the Physician Assistant occupation. At the turn of the century, the ‘Barriers to PA Practice’ list was created by MAPA in order to “overturn all of the antiquated laws disallowing PAs to practice in aspects of care or allowing negative interpretation by administrators of health plans and State agencies” 3. Since this list was created, many new public acts have been passed allowing physician assistants in Michigan to gain more independence. Some important advancements that occurred during this time included MAPA’s involvement in overturning office supervision guidelines insurances such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan imposed on physician assistants as well as overturning the insurances refusal to pay surgical PAs, Public Act 281 which allowed referrals from physician assistant to a physical therapist, and Public Acts 124-126 which approved Physician Assistants to be added to a “list of professionals able to form professional corporations (PC) and professional limited liability corporations (PLLC) and clarifies that physicians and

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1677 Words | 7 Pages

Patient load is typically divided among the physical therapists and physical therapy assistants working throughout the day based on patient needs and previous interactions with the patient. During my interview with Dr. Donaldson, she stated, “I try to see the same patients every day until they are discharged. It helps form a personal connection with them and allows me to better adapt their rehab plan.” Once the patient load is divided among the staff, a physical therapist will take about an hour to look over patient charts. During this time, they take notes of room numbers, preferred names, the condition the patient is being treated for, and notes from the nursing staff.

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Through my participation in Central Michigan University’s Pre-PT Club, I discovered seven crucial aspects of professionalism in physical provided by the APTA. The transition into a doctorate program relies on a higher form of professionalism. Clinical observations granted insight into a handful of situations where utilizing these traits is essential. Witnessing doctors recognizing their limits is eye-opening and shows how beneficial utilizing others in health care is. While in the hospital setting, I observed recovering alcoholic patients.

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2334 Words | 10 Pages

Eugene Stead proposed a program at Duke University that would eventually become the first PA program in the United States.1 Dr. Stead modeled his idea for a physician assistant on the relationship between Amos N. Johnson, MD, and Henry Lee “Buddy” Treadwell. Dr. Johnson had trained Mr. Treadwell to assist him at his rural general medical practice in eastern North Carolina. Mr. Treadwell received training in developing X-ray films, measuring blood pressure, listening to chest sounds, and placing and removing sutures. Their thirty-year relationship served as the prototype for what a physician/physician assistant alliance could be.2 Initially, Dr. Stead proposed utilizing nurses in his new program, but the National League of Nursing (NLN) opposed the idea citing concerns that the program would move its participants from nursing into the “medical model. ”1

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This paper focuses on providing a brief history of PAs and evaluating the profession in relation to the US health system values of access, cost, and quality. Finally, patient satisfaction, crucial to MCOs in an increasingly competitive market, is discussed. Physician Assistants The physician assistant profession is a relative newcomer to healthcare. It originated in the 1960s with the return of medical corpsmen from the Vietnam War who had military medical skills they wanted to apply to the civilian health care market. These skills were seen as a way to extend the practice of a primary care physician, divert less acute or complex problems to the PA, and manage the need for primary care services in underserved areas (Benjamin et al., 1999).

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I have always been intrigued at the way a PA works together with other PAs and doctors in order to effectively treat a patient, and that the result of their care is due to teamwork within the profession. As a kid, I was always told that “one mind is never enough”, and I truly believe that is the case when it comes to medicine. With medicine always being on the move, and more techniques and treatment options available, the more minds working together, the better the outcome for the patient. I also have found that by working together as a team, we learn humility and effective communication, and without that we cannot work as

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649 Words | 3 Pages

However, I want to do more I want to be able to follow the process from beginning to end and do the evaluations. I want to be able to do the testing and the measuring. I have set out on this journey of health care because I want to help people go from post-operative to back to fully functioning with realistic goals in place. I want to be able to walk the journey with the patients and let them know that they are not on it alone. Through Physical Therapy I feel that patients get more than just rehabilitation of an injury or surgery but they get a change in mindset from injured to functioning independently again as they did before.

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1350 Words | 6 Pages

In many states, physicians determine their scope of work, including their range of medical tasks and their method of supervision. However, some states have more explicit rules and regulations in place regarding both supervisory and practice requirements.” (Physician Assistant Career

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More than an Assistant As a high school senior you have a lot of stress on yourself to make all the right decisions to make the future the finest it can be. With all your worries about colleges, money, and jobs; be happy to know you have already made one remarkable decision, becoming a physical therapist assistant. A physical therapist assistant as a career is an intelligent start for your future. This job allows you to help other feel better and more in control of their bodies, which is a great feeling. Choosing this career gives you many job opportunities all over the world, along with different environment to work in.

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For example, if a child has no movement in their legs due to a car crash, physical therapist must have the ability to accurately diagnose

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1276 Words | 6 Pages

They are educated to diagnose injuries and illnesses, provide treatment and examine patients. Typical responsibilities of a physician assistant include: reviewing patients’ medical histories, conducting physician exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, give treatment, evaluate and counsel patients, and prescribe medicines (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor). PA’s work in all areas of medicine including primary care,

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474 Words | 2 Pages

At all of these clinics and hospitals I have learned a variety of techniques, while completing the fundamentals of cleaning, organizing work area, securing patients with therapy equipment and motivating patients. Having to work under different physical therapists has shown me how to assist licensed physical therapists efficiently from their long hours of hard work. These educational experiences have taught me to go above and beyond my dreams and to expand my

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Throughout my job experience as a physical therapist technician at Green Oaks Physical Therapy, Las Colinas Physical Therapy, and my observations at different therapy settings, I have enhanced my knowledge to optimize the movement to improve the best human experience possible. Green Oaks and Las Colinas Physical Therapy have provided me with the experience and knowledge to assist patients with many different conditions. I have developed skills and learned techniques to properly assist patients with therapeutic exercises and safeguard patients that are more severely impaired. I provide the best of my ability and effort to ensure that they receive their proper treatment and to make their recovery better and enjoyable.

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INTRODUCTION Nowadays, the physiotherapists are trained to deal with every patient in a calm and professional manner. For the sake of the physiotherapists to behave professionalism in physiotherapy care. The crucial professional attributes that the physiotherapists should practise are courteous, dependable, determined, empathetic, patient and so on. Being a professional is doing the things we love to do, although on the days we do not feel like doing them. For example, a female physiotherapist will not take medical leave, although she has menstruation pain on some days.

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