What Doctors Should Know About the Scope of Practice of Physical Therapists
Doctors should recognize that physical therapists are trained healthcare professionals who can conduct exercise tests, promote physical activity, and prescribe exercise to patients with complex comorbid conditions and a range of physical impairments and disabilities. 1
Core Clinical Competencies of Physical Therapists
- Physical therapists are essential members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams addressing non-communicable diseases through team-based and patient-centered approaches for lifestyle management 1
- Exercise is one of the most important and effective interventions physical therapists incorporate into every patient plan of care to promote health and wellness 1
- Physical therapists are experts in examining and treating neuromuscular problems that affect individuals' abilities to move across all age groups 2
- Physical therapists have specialized knowledge in managing musculoskeletal conditions, often exceeding that of many physician specialties except orthopedists 3
Specific Clinical Domains
Exercise Prescription and Physical Activity Promotion
- Physical therapists are specifically trained to conduct exercise tests and prescribe individualized exercise programs for patients with complex comorbidities 1
- They play a critical role in promoting physical activity assessment and education with their patients, particularly for cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases 1
Critical Care and Rehabilitation
- In critical care settings, physical therapists address deconditioning, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and communication issues 1
- They contribute to psychological well-being through relaxation interventions, therapeutic touch, and patient education that can reduce anxiety, promote sleep, and reduce pain and dyspnea 1
Clinical Reasoning and Assessment
- Physical therapists utilize a dynamic, multidimensional knowledge base that is patient-centered and evolves through therapist reflection 4
- They employ clinical reasoning processes embedded in collaborative problem-solving with patients, with a central focus on movement assessment linked to patient function 4, 5
Communication and Collaboration
- Physicians should implement standardized information checklists when referring patients to physical therapists to ensure all essential information is accurately provided 2
- Develop formal processes for communication during key transition points in care, including initial referral, treatment phase, and guidance phase 2
- Physicians who interact with physical therapists more frequently perceive greater benefit for their patients and demonstrate greater knowledge of physical therapy practice 6
Areas of Common Knowledge Gaps Among Physicians
- Most referring providers do not learn about physical therapy during their academic or post-training education 6
- Poorly understood areas include physical therapy practice settings, specialties, salary, level of education, and the ability to see patients through direct access 6
- These knowledge gaps can hinder interprofessional collaboration and lead to suboptimal provider utilization 6
Improving Collaboration
- Physicians should work collaboratively with physical therapists to select methods for physical activity assessment that best fit their clinical setting 1
- Participate in communication skills training programs that focus on interdisciplinary collaboration with physical therapists 2
- Increase interprofessional interactions with physical therapists to improve understanding of their education and scope of practice 6
Public Health Role
- Physical therapists are increasingly involved in population-level interventions aimed at mitigating disease and disability 7
- They contribute to improving health outcomes by expanding access, decreasing cost, and improving quality of care for those facing health disparities 7
- Developments in digital and virtual health have created opportunities for physical therapists to evolve their role within the broader health ecosystem 7
Understanding the scope of practice of physical therapists is essential for effective collaboration and optimal patient outcomes. Physicians who recognize and utilize the full range of physical therapist expertise can enhance patient care through appropriate referrals and collaborative treatment planning.