Direct Access to Physical Therapy

Michael Cormican, MSPT

Co-Founder, Metro Sports Physical Therapy
New York, NY
metrosportspt.com

Direct access, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, is “the legal right to seek and receive the examination, evaluation, and intervention of the physical therapist without the requirement of a physician referral.” In the context of ever-increasing health care costs, direct access to physical therapy may be a valuable health care strategy and resource. This is especially relevant for musculoskeletal conditions, which are both common and costly to manage. Physical therapy direct access models possess enormous potential for reducing health care costs by de-emphasizing high-tech medical testing, invasive interventions, and pharmaceutical therapies. In addition to more traditional rehabilitation modalities, direct access may soon facilitate the availability of a variety of programs—prevention and wellness, exercise and fitness, balance and falls prevention, women’s health, and ergonomics, to name a few. Despite the growing body of literature describing virtues of the direct access model and its potential to prevent future injury, disease, and disability, challenges for establishing this practice paradigm remain. Here, Michael Cormican discusses the advantages of direct access models, as well as the legislative processes involved in defining and implementing these programs.

References

1. Deyle GD. Direct access physical therapy and diagnostic responsibility: the risk-to-benefit ratio. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36:632-634.
2. Jette DU, Ardleigh K, Chandler K, McShea L. Decision-making ability of physical therapists: physical therapy intervention or medical referral. Phys Ther. 2006;86:1619-1629.
3. Taylor TK, Domholdt E. Legislative Change to Permit Direct Access to Physical Therapy Services: A Study of Process and Content Issues. Phys Ther. 1991;71:382-389.

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