Role Of Physical Therapist Assistant

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Many people such as ourselves will at some point in time need assistance whether it be having a neighbor help us carry groceries into our home or medical assistance from a professional. At times, it may be difficult to accept or choose the help of others or to trust and rely on those that can either hinder or benefit your wellbeing. What is the role of a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant.? “Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility, Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist” (Bellamy, n.d.). Furthermore, we may wonder the
In general PTs and PTAs practice and specialize in many areas to help with endurance, reducing pain and inflammation, scar prevention, educating patients on wellness strategies and movement techniques. Practice settings in which PTs and PTAs are employed are hospitals nursing homes homecare Pediatric specialty clinics. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Guide to Physical Therapist Practice is used to define the role of PTs and PTAs and their practices along with the difference between patients and clients. “The Guide differentiates between patients and clients, two different groups who may benefit from physical therapy services. The Guide also describes the types of conditions seen in physical therapy and the many types of tests, measures, and interventions used by clinicians to treat those conditions. Within their patient/client management responsibilities, physical therapists assess the patient’s current status and make determinations of her potential for improvement, based on test and measures used as part of their examinations and evaluations (Clynch, 2017, p. 10).” The APTA plays a big role in the advancement of physical therapy through their online access to information. This allows there to be tests or experiments done to assure accuracy along with precision with new medical findings and changes in technology and
Settings such as acute care, outpatient clinics, home care, hospice, and settings specializing in pediatrics care. Physical therapist and physical therapist assistants work together for the best interest of the patient. The APTA played a major role in the development and education status of the physical therapist assistant with the growth of the PTA’s important role with the increased need for physical therapists. Physical therapists are most concerned with diagnosing patients/clients and organizing their rehabilitation program. Physical therapist assistants prepare the patients and clients for diagnosing and help carry out the rehabilitation program or process. Both roles of the physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant are similar but very different at the same time, one things for sure they are both very

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