Opinion
Physical therapists need to be part of reform equation
EDMOND — Along with football, pumpkins and chrysanthemums, the month of October also represents National Physical Therapy Month. Each year at this time, physical therapists across the country are deservedly recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements. This year with health care at the forefront of a heated national debate, it seems more important than ever to clearly articulate the benefits, challenges and principles that encapsulate the physical therapy profession.
Every day almost one million Americans are treated by a physical therapist in a hospital, clinic, health agency, nursing home or private practice. For these patients the benefits of physical therapy are evident, however the idea of physical therapy as a cost-effective alternative to expensive surgeries and prescription drugs is sometimes less obvious. For every $1 spent on rehabilitation services, it is estimated that $11 is saved on long-term disability cost. The actual cost savings associated with the empowerment of patients to gain control over their symptoms is tremendous.
Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants also are key health care team members who address preventative initiatives, such as reducing falls, improving physical activity to mitigate chronic disease and tailoring wellness programs for populations that have chronic conditions or disabilities. I strongly encourage legislators to ensure that rehabilitation services are an essential element of a standard benefits package in any proposal to reform the insurance delivery system and eliminate unnecessary legal and regulatory barriers that limit access to high quality health care services provided by physical therapists.
According to a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, next to clergy, physical therapists ranked highest in job satisfaction. In a similar survey by the Wall Street Journal’s Career Publication, physical therapy was rated as one of the eight best careers in the United States. Despite all of the accolades attributed to the profession, the reality is that shortages of physical therapists plague our health care systems, especially in rural areas.
The demand for physical therapists is expected to grow 27 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The American Physical Therapy Association recently conducted a study that found in the current market between 13 percent and 18 percent of physical therapy jobs are open.
For these reasons, enhanced initiatives to develop a national strategy that will ensure an adequate workforce is strongly encouraged and supported. Physical therapists should be allowed to fully participate in current initiatives such as the National Health Services Corp, as well as any new programs established to provide workforce incentives to recruit and retain qualified health care professionals in underserved areas.
I am proud to be a physical therapist and a member of a profession that makes a profound difference in the lives of people each and every day. I encourage students to pursue a career that provides the opportunity to work with brain-injured children, football players with broken arms, Iraq War veteran amputees or aged stroke patients and witness their real progress. To my colleagues, fellow physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, I salute you during National Physical Therapy Month and encourage a united voice regarding health care reform issues that matter to us all.
STACI FREUDIGER, an Edmond resident, is vice president of Long Term Care Therapy Services for Valir Health. She also is the chairwoman of the Physical Therapy Advisory Committee to the Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.
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