This text guides patterns of practice; improves quality of care; promotes appropriate use of health care services; and explains physical therapist practice to insurers, policymakers, and other health care professionals. This edition continues to be a resource for both daily practice and professional education.

"This text provides readers with the information and tools needed to understand what constitutes evidence, search efficiently for applicable evidence in the literature, evaluate the findings in the literature, and integrate the evidence with clinical judgment and individual patient preferences and values. Students will learn how evaluate research designs, appraise evidence, and apply research in clinical practice"--Provided by publisher.

This basic handbook on how to start up a private physical therapy practice is a hands-on guide for any physical therapist who is contemplating or preparing to go out on his/her own. Starting & Managing Your Own Physical Therapy Practice is a one-of-a-kind guide that offers insight into the how's, what's, and where's of private business and gives the practitioner enough information and insight to veer him/her in the proper direction. This book is a guide map, a tool developed to open your eyes to what is necessary to open and run your own, successful practice.

This book answers the call to what today's physical therapy students and clinicians are looking for when integrating the guide to physical therapist practice as it relates to the musculoskeletal system in clinical care.

Documentation for Physical Therapist Practice: A Clinical Decision Making Approach provides the framework for successful documentation. It is synchronous with Medicare standards as well as the American Physical Therapy Association’s recommendations for defensible documentation. It identifies documentation basics which can be readily applied to a broad spectrum of documentation formats including paper-based and electronic systems. This key resource skillfully explains how to document the interpretation of examination findings so that the medical record accurately reflects the evidence. In addition, the results of consultation with legal experts who specialize in physical therapy claims denials will be shared to provide current, meaningful documentation instruction.

As the role of the physical therapist widens to include more primary care and diagnostic responsibilities, there is a greater need for a single, up-to-date resource that explores professional roles and developments in this changing field. This new book is the definitive reference on this important topic. This concise book provides information on every vital area important to professionalism: documentation, law and ethics, and leadership - all in the context of the five roles of the physical therapist as defined by the APTA's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, 2nd Edition. Readers will find information on the history of professionalism in physical therapy, the five roles of the physical therapist (Patient/Client Manager, Consultant, Critical Inquirer, Educator, and Administrator), the role of the physical therapist in today's health care system, and professional leadership and development. Case studies, "how to lists" and "tips from the field" encourage critical thinking and provide strategies for various issues. The book also offers tips on preparing a portfolio, determining leadership style, and preparing a professional development plan based on the APTA's five roles. Develops and defines principles and concepts of professionalism to guide physical therapists in times of change Follows the APTA's Guide and includes quotes and information from this document throughout Offers a comprehensive history of physical therapy, with unique information on origins of the profession Offers comprehensive coverage of legal and ethical issues, showing how these issues affect the entire practice of physical therapy Discusses billing and reimbursement practices, with specific information on how to document and bill as an aspect of practice Defines and explains the role of the consultant, both as an autonomous health care provider or as a member of a health care team Features real-life case studies and discussion questions at the end of each chapter to encourage practical application of concepts and test readers' knowledge Provides end-of-chapter "tips" to help readers develop best practices

As the profession of physical therapy continues its growth toward autonomous practice, the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant and student are going to face liability risks and exposure like never before. Physical Therapist's Business Practice and Legal Guide provides the tools needed to integrate risk management practices into the daily patient care routine. Each chapter includes key concepts and discussion questions. Specific cases are also discussed to explain and support legal concepts and how these set the stage for future risks exposure.