We debate the issue of creationism and evolution ... then we debate the issue of whether either (or both) of these should be taught in school ...
We debate the issue of sex education in school ... and should we educate students regarding abstinence or safety (or both) ...
And now, we have another "debate" - between Pope Benedict XVI and the Cochrane Collaboration.
I guess I don't need to tell you who the Pope is - that goes without saying. As for the Cochrane Collaboration , let's just go to their website for who they are:
As I read the ongoing drama (and outrage) about AIG , it all makes me think of pro sports. Let's just insert "pro football" as an example.I know, it seems like a strange association - AIG and pro football - but perhaps they could take note of some of the business practices that seem to be "acceptable" in the world of pro sports. It might just help solve the problem.
If this was a pro football team:
- we would expect a win-loss record that puts us into the playoffs, and we would pay for the employees (namely, coach and players and support staff) to get it done. Of course, that would be within any salary cap that is applicable.
- many players and coaches presumably have a performance bonus in their contracts - for example, a bonus if the team makes the playoffs, or if the player attains certain performance criteria (number of catches, number of tackles, etc).
- the fans think nothing of demanding a winning record, and also think nothing of removing [insert here - coach/player/water boy] if they aren't "delivering the goods" (or the water).
- and when the aforementioned coach/player/water boy has his contract terminated abruptly, and he doesn't get his performance bonuses, we as fans really don't seem to care. It's accepted practice, isn't it?
- if we expand this to college sports, how many college coaches think nothing of "jumping ship" when a better offer comes around, thereby not fulfilling their contract requirements - and nobody seems to care then either.
So here's where the irony begins.
I will admit - the math geek in me found this interesting.
Today - March 14 - is Pi Day. And imagine this - it has been recognized by the U.S. Congress as such (our tax dollars hard at work, I am sure). I guess it's like a "Hallmark Day" for math enthusiasts.
So for those who need a reminder, the mathematical constant pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to it's diameter.
For true geeks, the number is 3.1415926535 ...
... and yes, to this day I still remember pi to all those decimal points - no Wikipedia reminder required. No, I have no idea why that is permanently etched into the deepest recesses of my cortex. I suspect it's because math (and science) were the classes that got me through high school. If you want a reminder of how to calculate it, you can always throw frozen hot dogs - among other options, of course.
Officially, there is a Pi Day and, wait, a Pi Second - 3/14 at 1:59:26 ... and yes, people do celebrate this!
But wait, there's more ...
Texas HB 607 and SB 433 are, simply put, consumer access bills. They don't change the scope of practice of physical therapists (i.e. what they can and cannot do as part of their clinical practice). These bills simply remove the current gatekeeper status of physicians. As it currently stands, physical therapists in the state of Texas are the only health care providers remaining that require a referral from a physician. With this having a direct impact on access to care and cost of care for consumers, it is important for everyone to write to their representatives in the House and Senate to support these bills. I sent the following letter to all members of the House Public Health Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee this past week.
I am a physical therapist in Texas and am writing to you in support of HB 607/SB 433. This consumer access bill would allow Texans direct access to physical therapy services without a referral by another licensed healthcare provider.
There are three primary reasons to support this bill:
Cost: The current regulatory practice - allowing doctors to be gatekeepers to physical therapy in our State - adds enormous costs and waste to our health care system. The added costs are not just to Texans as individual consumers, but also to the State of Texas in Medicare costs. As but one example, a 1994 study by Mitchell and de Lissovoy noted that the total paid claims for "physician referral episodes of care" averaged $2,236, as compared to $1,004 for "direct access episodes". Data such as this has existed for the past 15 years. As costs have continued to skyrocket since then, there is a need to move forward with a regulatory practice that will provide more cost-effective care to all Texans.
Access: The current regulatory practice creates a barrier to health care for Texans. The reality of clinical practice is that when patients are faced with a choice to either 1) go to a gatekeeper (in order to then be referred to a physical therapist) or 2) simply not go at all, they tend to choose the latter option. This creates chronic situations out of acute ones. An acute problem that can be dealt with in a very short period of time can now become a chronic issue that yields years of health care expense.
Training: Physical therapists are internationally recognized as experts in therapeutic exercise prescription. The educational process is extensive and on-going. Under the current regulatory practice, a patient can be advised on therapeutic exercise prescription by virtually any healthcare provider and even personal trainers (none of which have any formal training in therapeutic exercise) - yet a patient requires a gatekeeper referral to exercise the option to see a physical therapist (a healthcare provider who's primary educational background is in therapeutic exercise prescription).
HB 607/SB 433 does not expand the physical therapy scope of practice, nor does it affect the current statutory duty to refer to a healthcare professional for conditions outside of the scope of practice of a physical therapist. The evidence from states that have updated their physical therapy practice act shows that allowing citizens to access a physical therapist without a referral has not negatively impacted liability claims.
I believe it is time for Texas to make a change that benefits all Texans. I would like to thank you in advance for your support of HB 607/SB 433.
If there is any way that I can be of assistance or provide further information regarding this issue, please contact me at 512-914-0871 (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or the Texas Physical Therapy Association at 512-477-1818 (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
Sincerely,
Allan Besselink, PT, Dip.MDT
Director, Smart Sport International
As I bring this issue to the attention of the consumer, many are absolutely surprised and dismayed that the current regulations exist. For those who have been to physical therapy in the past, they have experienced delays in their care; for those that haven't, they are upset that they don't have the option to access a physical therapist directly - for both issues of access and cost.
For further information on these bills, please refer to my previous post. If you support these bills, please take action! Legislators need to hear a strong voice from their constituents to overcome the political inertia of medical lobbyists.
It's one of those phenomena that makes me wonder about what goes on inside our brains when left unattended. Let's call it the "mental jukebox". Surely this is something that everyone experiences. It really can't just be me ... really, it can't.
I would swear that there is a jukebox in my mind - and it seems there are times that I have absolutely no control over it. Before you think that I have lost my mind, let me explain.
I have always been a music lover. More often than not, there is some kind of tune, melody, guitar riff, or song running through my head. I know for certain that the roots of this go back a long time. I can remember it being a bit of a joke with my friends in high school. When they were all busy singing the lyrics to a lame '80s tune, I was probably recollecting the guitar solo - note for note.
You have to admit, there was a lot of good rock music in the '70s and '80s ... with a lot of great guitar riffs!! I could whistle them note for note - I know, strange skill indeed. But cut me some slack - it was high school (ok ok I can still do that to this day, but I digress).
Can everyone please relax? Please?
Now that we have a new President - and an economic stimulus package - and health care reform promised before year's end ... everyone is up in arms over the impending wave of "socialism". The Rush Limbaughs of the world would have you think that we are just one small step away from the Red Threat. The diatribes have roused Republicans nationwide and re-started yet another episode of fear mongering.
It never ceases to amaze me how people have gone off the deep end based on some of the media's versions of the world as they know it. Language and rhetoric is powerful. I mentioned it in a previous post - the "cult of personality" so astutely tapped by none other than the Rush-meister himself. But with power, comes responsibility - and the indiscriminate use of words that people fail to understand simply doesn't cut it. There is a significant problem when the context is purposefully askew and the listeners hang on every word.
Agree or disagree with the economic and health care reform all you want - that's the beauty of the democratic process. But it is simply irresponsible to rouse peoples' emotions about "socialism" (which for most, ends up meaning "communism" by the time it reaches their collective cortex). Didn't they call this "McCarthyism"? And do we not learn from our history lessons?
So, being a free-thinking Canadian, with the desire to learn more about all the hoopla since the Inauguration, I did a little reading.
March. March Mayhem. Not just March Madness - it's downright March Mayhem!
Why so? It's one of my favorite months of the year - and that has it's roots in the '70s and '80s. Ahhh the early days ...
For a sports fan like myself, it's THE best time of year. As a college basketball fan, it's time for March Madness. I've been following college basketball since high school - that's a lot of Final Fours! My first Final Four memory is 1981's final between Indiana and North Carolina.
After Saturday's game against Kansas, the University of Texas heads to the Big 12 conference tournament and then (hopefully) on to the NCAA tournament. It's time for the round of 64, the Big Dance - two 4-day weekends of basketball, then the semifinals and final on Monday April 6. Rarely do I schedule a TV event months in advance - but this is one that goes on the calendar ASAP!
March also brings the start of the Formula One season. I've been following Formula One even longer than college hoops!
Up to 60% of runners will sustain an injury within any given year. Poor running mechanics, in conjunction with poor, ineffective and outdated training methods, can pose a significant injury risk. "RunSmart" was written to address these issues in the running community.
"Running Injuries: Etiology And Recovery- Based Treatment" (co-author Bridget Clark, PT) appears in the third edition and fourth editions of "Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: A Team Approach" by Charles Giangarra, MD and Robert C. Manske, PT.
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.
Top 5 finalist in three categories: "Best Overall Blog", "Best PT Blog" and "Best Advocacy Blog".
PO Box 26161
Austin, TX 78755
512-222-6263
