The American Physical Therapy Association’s Annual Conference is this week. The House of Delegates has a number of hot topics on its agenda today and tomorrow, most notably discussion regarding “Physical Therapist Responsibility and Accountability for the Delivery of Care”. In many other circles, this would be shortened to “professional autonomy”, but it wouldn’t be governance without a long-winded title now would it?
Fortunately, this upcoming discussion has fueled its share of blog posts (great sample here, with some added history lessons here), along with a number of enlightening Twitter discussions (transcripts here and here).
It has been a week since I posted “Vision Now: A Physical Therapist Manifesto”. In the meantime, I continue to be bewildered by some of these discussions. Are physical therapists really ready to own their profession? Or are they spending too much time pondering the meaning of life while health care reform rolls on?
I know that you are as surprised as I am. Today is officially National Doughnut Day!
Hey, everything in moderation, right? Is this just another Hallmark nightmare? A day conjured up by Homer Simpson?
I tell you – it is for real. Seriously. It actually serves a valuable purpose.
The story of National Doughnut Day goes all the way back to 1917. Salvation Army volunteers went to the front lines to serve home-cooked foods and to, yes, make doughnuts for the infantrymen – otherwise known as “doughboys”.
In 1938, National Doughnut Day was established by the Chicago Salvation Army. The goal was to raise money during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers.
But how can National Doughnut Day not have me thinking about a Tim Horton’s famous doughnut? And a double-double coffee to go along with it?
Ladies and gentleman, please be seated. Let the emotional debate begin anew.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has provided us with new recommendations regarding PSA-based screening for prostate cancer. Based on the evidence reviewed, they no longer support screening for prostate cancer as “many men are harmed as a result of prostate cancer screening and few, if any, benefit”. In 2009, they had similar thoughts regarding breast cancer, noting that the USPSTF “recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years”.
I am sure all of this will have men and women alike up in arms. We should expect more cries of “rationing of care” and the like coming shortly.
Science-based medicine provides us with sound clinical guidelines upon which to build a foundation for care. That assumes, of course, that the science-based medicine in question isn’t simply going to be ignored. But as it stands right now, “although about half of primary care doctors agreed with the guidelines, less than 2% said they planned to actually follow them and completely stop using the PSA.”
Surely you jest. Really?
This is the 17th in a series of RunSmart videos. The series is on-going, with a new video released on a biweekly basis. These videos complement the material presented in the book “RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach To Injury-Free Running”. The full series of videos can be found here. A compilation of the first 10 videos will be available on Vimeo as well.
For those of you that are interested in a more interactive learning environment, consider attending a Level One (half day), Level Two (one day), or Level Three (two day) RunSmart program. The Level One program is 4 hours and focuses on basic training principles, running mechanics, and injury prevention. The Level Two program is 8.5 hours and focuses on performance optimization and training program development. The Level Three program is a two day, 15 hour program that includes a comprehensive approach to running injuries. The next Level One program will be offered in Austin on June 30, 2012. The next Level Three program will be offered in Austin, Texas on August 17 - 18, 2012.
In this video, I discuss MDT and running injuries. MDT, or Mechanical Diagnosis And Therapy, is a mechanical assessment process that emphasizes self care strategies and injury prevention. MDT is, from my perspective, the optimal means of assessment and treatment of running injuries.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has done a fine job of producing a vision statement – Vision 2020 – that contains many issues that are both pertinent and relevant to the health and survival of the profession. But the harsh reality is this: a 20 year window in which to accomplish this has seriously undermined the profession. Two decades? Glaciers have been known to move faster. Congress even moves faster – albeit barely.
Professional autonomy drives the success or failure of all of the issues of our profession. At this point, we talk the talk about autonomy, but frankly, we don’t walk it.
As Henry Ford once noted, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – either way, you're right”. People will behave in a manner that is consistent with their self image and self perception.
It is time to put an end to incremental thinking and self-destructive behaviors about our professional autonomy. It is time for a reality check, for disruption, for revolution, and for change.
It is time for “Vision Now” – a manifesto for physical therapists.
Today is Memorial Day, the day on which we remember those men and women that have died while serving in the US Armed Forces. It is a day to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
We are reminded, once again, that these men and women lost their lives while defending our freedoms. Of that, I am grateful. These people were actively supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States of America, supporting the Bill Of Rights and all that it entails.
But there is something else that I think should be remembered on a day when we honor those that have died. The passing of these brave men and women is to support our freedom, yes, but this day should also serve as a stark reminder to all Americans of their own personal responsibility to maintain our freedom. It is not just the troops on the front lines that are doing so.
I can say without hesitation that this week may go down on record as one of the most surreal weeks I have ever experienced. I can remember the feeling when I moved to Austin in 1990, getting off the train and stepping into a brave new world. That was surreal. But when you stand up and take the oath of allegiance to become the citizen of a new country? Now that is truly surreal.
It is hard for most to comprehend what that does to your psyche, your mindset, and your self perception. The best descriptor? It is just … different … now. Suffice it to say that it was a great experience that made for an interesting week that I will certainly never forget.
Besides, now I have an excuse to celebrate May 21 annually!
While that was going on, rumor has it that the world was still turning on its axis. Apparently, truth was still stranger than fiction, and the land of rhubarb was alive and well. I bring to you, hot off the presses, Episode 41.Enjoy!
Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.