Global Identity Rachael Lowe PHYS THER. 2014; 94:1055. doi: 10.2522/ptj.2014.94.7.1055
The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, can be found online at: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/94/7/1055 Collections
This article, along with others on similar topics, appears in the following collection(s): Professional Issues
e-Letters
To submit an e-Letter on this article, click here or click on "Submit a response" in the right-hand menu under "Responses" in the online version of this article.
E-mail alerts
Sign up here to receive free e-mail alerts
Downloaded from http://ptjournal.apta.org/ by Sara Blaszczak on August 2, 2015
Letters to the Editor Likewise, the majority of physical therapist respondents in our study reported using SPH equipment such as ceiling and sit-to-stand lifts to enhance their interventions.2 Darragh et al7 identified that using SPH equipment and practices reduces rehabilitation therapist fatigue, allowing earlier and more frequent patient mobilization for longer periods of time in patients with lower functioning. It is our firm belief that physical therapy interventions using SPH equipment and practices are “skilled” and reimbursable. Additionally, we are unaware of any denials for the reimbursement of physical therapy services because of the use of SPH equipment and practices. Brian F. Olkowski, Angela M. Stolfi B.F. Olkowski, PT, DPT, Department of Rehabilitation, Capital Health, 750 Brunswick Ave, Trenton, NJ 08638 (USA). Address all correspondence to Dr Olkowski at: [email protected]. A.M. Stolfi, PT, DPT, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York. This letter was posted as a Rapid Response on May 28, 2014 at ptjournal.apta.org.
References 1 Dewey AJ. Letter to the editor on: “Safe patient handling perceptions and practices: a survey of acute care physical therapists.” Phys Ther. 2014;94:1054. 2 Olkowski BF, Stolfi AM. Safe patient handling perceptions and practices: a survey of acute care physical therapists. Phys Ther. 2014;94:682–695. 3 Siddharthan K, Nelson A, Tiesman H, Chen FF. Cost effectiveness of a multifaceted program for safe patient handling. In: Henriksen K, Battes JB, Marks ES, eds. Advances in Patient Safety: From Research to Implementation. Vol 3. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2005:347–360.
July 2014
4 Hunter B, Branson M, Davenport D. Saving costs, saving health care providers’ backs, and creating a safe patient environment. Nurs Econ. 2012;28:130–134. 5 Campo M, Shiyko MP, Margulis H, Darragh AR. Effect of a safe patient handling program on rehabilitation outcomes. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;94:17–22. 6 RC 29-12. The Role of the Physical Therapist in Safe Patient Handling. 2012. Available at: http://www.apta. org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/ Policies/Practice/SafePatientHandling. pdf. Accessed May 20, 2014. 7 Darragh AR, Campo M, Olsen D. Therapy practice within a minimal lift environment: perceptions of therapy staff. Work. 2009;33:241–253. [DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2014.94.7.1054.2]
Global Identity I congratulate the members of our profession who are getting involved in a movement to strengthen our profession’s identity.1 These days, when our profession may be challenged, it is so important for us to create a strong global identity. The term “movement system” is a great identifier, but as Jull and Moore state, “considerable work would have to be done towards the scientific definition and promotion [of this term].”1 I am looking forward to the ongoing discussion, the results of which I hope will be acted upon without delay so that united as a profession we can work to promote our profession on a global scale. However, I am reminded that our identity is weakened by the division of the profession by name. The fact that we use both the terms “physiotherapy” and “physical therapy,” not to mention other international differentiations, does not give us a strong global identity. If we are to define our profession by a system
to strengthen our identity, then perhaps we should also decide on a name. Consideration of this proposal certainly presents many challenges, especially when both terms are rooted in their own history and geographical variation. However, we cannot ignore this issue, as the current situation threatens our profession, for example, by generating public confusion and at the extreme allowing training institutes to offer “physical therapy” qualifications after minimal training.2 Working in the global sphere, I am very supportive of presenting a united front with a strong professional identity. I wonder if there is anything that we can do about this? I look forward to future discourse. Rachael Lowe R. Lowe, Physiopedia. Address all correspondence to Ms Lowe at: [email protected]. This letter was posted as a Rapid Response on April 25, 2014 at ptjournal.apta.org.
References 1 Jull G, Moore A. Physiotherapy’s identity. Man Ther. 2013;18:447–448. 2 Confusion surrounding title “physical therapist” in Ireland. Available at: http://www.wcpt.org/node/30236. Accessed April 25, 2014. [DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2014.94.7.1055]
Sahrmann discusses “The Human Movement System: Our Professional Identity” in a Perspective on page 1034.
Volume 94 Number 7 Physical Therapy ■ 1055 Downloaded from http://ptjournal.apta.org/ by Sara Blaszczak on August 2, 2015
Letter 7.14.indd 1055
6/18/14 9:55 AM
Global Identity Rachael Lowe PHYS THER. 2014; 94:1055. doi: 10.2522/ptj.2014.94.7.1055
References
This article cites 1 articles, 0 of which you can access for free at: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/94/7/1055#BIBL
Subscription Information
http://ptjournal.apta.org/subscriptions/
Permissions and Reprints http://ptjournal.apta.org/site/misc/terms.xhtml Information for Authors
http://ptjournal.apta.org/site/misc/ifora.xhtml
Downloaded from http://ptjournal.apta.org/ by Sara Blaszczak on August 2, 2015
The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, can be found online at: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/94/7/1055 Collections
This article, along with others on similar topics, appears in the following collection(s): Professional Issues
e-Letters
To submit an e-Letter on this article, click here or click on "Submit a response" in the right-hand menu under "Responses" in the online version of this article.
E-mail alerts
Sign up here to receive free e-mail alerts
Downloaded from http://ptjournal.apta.org/ by Sara Blaszczak on August 2, 2015
Letters to the Editor Likewise, the majority of physical therapist respondents in our study reported using SPH equipment such as ceiling and sit-to-stand lifts to enhance their interventions.2 Darragh et al7 identified that using SPH equipment and practices reduces rehabilitation therapist fatigue, allowing earlier and more frequent patient mobilization for longer periods of time in patients with lower functioning. It is our firm belief that physical therapy interventions using SPH equipment and practices are “skilled” and reimbursable. Additionally, we are unaware of any denials for the reimbursement of physical therapy services because of the use of SPH equipment and practices. Brian F. Olkowski, Angela M. Stolfi B.F. Olkowski, PT, DPT, Department of Rehabilitation, Capital Health, 750 Brunswick Ave, Trenton, NJ 08638 (USA). Address all correspondence to Dr Olkowski at: [email protected]. A.M. Stolfi, PT, DPT, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York. This letter was posted as a Rapid Response on May 28, 2014 at ptjournal.apta.org.
References 1 Dewey AJ. Letter to the editor on: “Safe patient handling perceptions and practices: a survey of acute care physical therapists.” Phys Ther. 2014;94:1054. 2 Olkowski BF, Stolfi AM. Safe patient handling perceptions and practices: a survey of acute care physical therapists. Phys Ther. 2014;94:682–695. 3 Siddharthan K, Nelson A, Tiesman H, Chen FF. Cost effectiveness of a multifaceted program for safe patient handling. In: Henriksen K, Battes JB, Marks ES, eds. Advances in Patient Safety: From Research to Implementation. Vol 3. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2005:347–360.
July 2014
4 Hunter B, Branson M, Davenport D. Saving costs, saving health care providers’ backs, and creating a safe patient environment. Nurs Econ. 2012;28:130–134. 5 Campo M, Shiyko MP, Margulis H, Darragh AR. Effect of a safe patient handling program on rehabilitation outcomes. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;94:17–22. 6 RC 29-12. The Role of the Physical Therapist in Safe Patient Handling. 2012. Available at: http://www.apta. org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/ Policies/Practice/SafePatientHandling. pdf. Accessed May 20, 2014. 7 Darragh AR, Campo M, Olsen D. Therapy practice within a minimal lift environment: perceptions of therapy staff. Work. 2009;33:241–253. [DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2014.94.7.1054.2]
Global Identity I congratulate the members of our profession who are getting involved in a movement to strengthen our profession’s identity.1 These days, when our profession may be challenged, it is so important for us to create a strong global identity. The term “movement system” is a great identifier, but as Jull and Moore state, “considerable work would have to be done towards the scientific definition and promotion [of this term].”1 I am looking forward to the ongoing discussion, the results of which I hope will be acted upon without delay so that united as a profession we can work to promote our profession on a global scale. However, I am reminded that our identity is weakened by the division of the profession by name. The fact that we use both the terms “physiotherapy” and “physical therapy,” not to mention other international differentiations, does not give us a strong global identity. If we are to define our profession by a system
to strengthen our identity, then perhaps we should also decide on a name. Consideration of this proposal certainly presents many challenges, especially when both terms are rooted in their own history and geographical variation. However, we cannot ignore this issue, as the current situation threatens our profession, for example, by generating public confusion and at the extreme allowing training institutes to offer “physical therapy” qualifications after minimal training.2 Working in the global sphere, I am very supportive of presenting a united front with a strong professional identity. I wonder if there is anything that we can do about this? I look forward to future discourse. Rachael Lowe R. Lowe, Physiopedia. Address all correspondence to Ms Lowe at: [email protected]. This letter was posted as a Rapid Response on April 25, 2014 at ptjournal.apta.org.
References 1 Jull G, Moore A. Physiotherapy’s identity. Man Ther. 2013;18:447–448. 2 Confusion surrounding title “physical therapist” in Ireland. Available at: http://www.wcpt.org/node/30236. Accessed April 25, 2014. [DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2014.94.7.1055]
Sahrmann discusses “The Human Movement System: Our Professional Identity” in a Perspective on page 1034.
Volume 94 Number 7 Physical Therapy ■ 1055 Downloaded from http://ptjournal.apta.org/ by Sara Blaszczak on August 2, 2015
Letter 7.14.indd 1055
6/18/14 9:55 AM
Global Identity Rachael Lowe PHYS THER. 2014; 94:1055. doi: 10.2522/ptj.2014.94.7.1055
References
This article cites 1 articles, 0 of which you can access for free at: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/94/7/1055#BIBL
Subscription Information
http://ptjournal.apta.org/subscriptions/
Permissions and Reprints http://ptjournal.apta.org/site/misc/terms.xhtml Information for Authors
http://ptjournal.apta.org/site/misc/ifora.xhtml
Downloaded from http://ptjournal.apta.org/ by Sara Blaszczak on August 2, 2015
