The low risk to high patient benefit ratio of direct access physical therapy services

What is it about?

This editorial is a step by step detailing of diagnostic competency of physical therapists. It generates a logical position of how consumers benefit when they are allowed to choose their physical therapist without having the engage the greater health care system that routinely overly utilizes diagnostic imaging, medications, and higher risk invasive procedures. Additionally when physicians refer to physical therapists within their practice it creates an unethical form of practice (referral for profit) that is illegal in most states. There is a volume of literature supporting a direct access model of physical therapy services. All but 2 or 3 states have made direct access legal. No state has ever reversed that decision. Consumers should be able to choose their providers and not be forced into a higher risk pathway.

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Why is it important?

With an epidemic of addiction to narcotics and increased rates of higher risk procedures without utilization of lower risk equally beneficial or more beneficial strategies, the consumer needs the benefit of direct access to physical therapy services.

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