April 2006

Features

• The Challenges and Rewards of Extended and Long-Term Care

  The number of Americans requiring extended health care services is on the rise. For physical therapists providing this care, trends forecast a busy future.

• Giving PT Students the Business

  Physical therapist education programs are required to provide a basic grounding in business skills. But how well are they meeting students' needs? Is there room for improvement?

• Self Pay and the Medicare Beneficiary

  When and why to use the advance beneficiary notice and the notice of exclusion of Medicare benefits.

• CSM 2006 Highlights

  San Diego provided the perfect backdrop for APTA's 2006 Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), held February 1-5. The conference offered educational programming in 18 specialty areas and an exhibit hall that was a bustling marketplace--full of the latest in publications and equipment to help PTs, PTAs, and students "Sail to Success."

• Tapping Technology

  A Physical Therapist's Guide to the National Health Information Network Now is the time to become involved.

Columns and Departments

• Career Coach: Look Beneath the Surface

  If all you see ahead of you are clear skies and open water, maybe it's time to dive under and survey your career and life from a different perspective.

• Ethics in Action: Issues of Professional Integrity

  Apply the ethical decision-making framework to this "stimulating" scenario.

• Government Affairs: Your Forum for Involvement

  At the intersection of physical therapy practice and health care policy lies APTA's Federal Government Affairs Forum. Those attending will be on the fast track to understanding why we all need to be advocates for the profession.

• Inside PT: The Progression of the Profession and the Patient

  The articles in this issue of PT Magazine address a wide range of practice settings, career paths and choices, and issues facing physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs).

• PTA Viewpoint: Effective Employee Recruitment

  Four simple steps to better identifying the best PT or PTA applicant for your practice.

• Foundation News

  - Foundation Honors Physical Therapy Icon Florence P Kendall
  - BTE Technologies President Named to Foundation Board
  - PT 2006 Session to Offer Advice On Foundation Funding Options
  - Dinner Dance Auction Goes Live and Online

• Letters to the Editor

  -The Purpose of a DPT
  -The Value of Mentoring

• News

  - Legislation and Regulation
  - Health Care Headlines
  - Association Update
  - Study Snapshot
  - Members on the Move
  - Industry News