For many years, APTA and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) have discussed and collaborated on continuing competence. Following the publication of a joint paper in 2010 to generate discussion on continuing competence and to move the conversation forward, members of APTA and FSBPT boards of directors met in early in 2011 to discuss several topics, including continuing competence.

On Monday, APTA and FSBPT sent a joint communication to members that provided the 2011 discussion topics and outlined APTA's and FSBPT's preferred approach to developing models of continuing competence. The communication also provides information on voluntary tools that FSBPT has developed for state licensing boards.      

For further information or to ask questions, contact Janet Bezner at janetbezner@apta.org or Susan Layton at slayton@fsbpt.org.

The majority of patients with lumbar impairments who are classified based on initial clinical presentation by manipulation and stabilization clinical prediction rules (CPRs) also are classified as derangements whose symptoms centralized, say authors of an article published in Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. Manipulation and stabilization CPRs may not represent a mutually exclusive treatment subgroup, but may include patients who can be initially treated using a different classification method, they add.  

Eight physical therapists practicing in 8 diverse clinical settings classified patients typically referred to rehabilitation by McKenzie syndromes (McK) (eg, derangement, dysfunction, and posture, pain pattern classification (eg, centralization [CEN], not centralization [Non CEN], and not classified [NC]), manipulation CPR (positive, negative), and stabilization CPR (positive, negative). Prevalence rates were calculated for each classification category by McK, pain pattern classifications (PPCs), and manipulation and stabilization CPRs. Prevalence rates for McK and PPCs were calculated for each CPR category separately.

Data from 628 adults (mean age: 52±17 years, 56% female) were analyzed. Prevalence rates were:

• McK-- derangement 67%, dysfunction 5%, posture 0%, other 28%
• PPC -- CEN 43%, Non CEN 39%, NC 18%
• manipulation CPR -- positive 13%
• stabilization CPR -- positive 7%

For patients positive for manipulation CPR (n = 79), prevalence rates for derangement were 89% and CEN 68%. For patients positive for stabilization CPR (n = 41), prevalence rates for derangement were 83% and CEN 80%.

Are you putting forth a proposal for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Health Care Innovation Challenge Grants? If not, are you participating in a health care model that incorporates a patient-centered medical home or implements bundled payments? If the answer is "yes" to either of these questions, APTA wants to hear from you.

APTA is working to support members in their success within these models. In addition, the association wants to connect you with your peers who are working within similar models, allowing you to share both your opportunities and challenges.

Please send a brief (approximately 100 words) description of your model of practice along with your name and contact information to memberfeedback@apta.org.

Yesterday, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) released its draft national priorities for patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. The draft plan does not single out any specific diseases or interventions to study, but rather proposes 5 broad areas in which to focus the institute's efforts. Those areas are:

• comparing assessments of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options
• improving health care systems
• communicating and disseminating research findings 
• addressing disparities
• accelerating patient-centered and methodological research

PCORI now seeks public comments on whether these draft priorities and research agenda capture the areas where more evidence is needed to support decision making. In addition, PCORI will hold forums during the comment period (January 23-March 15), including focus groups in cities across the country and a National Patient and Stakeholder Dialogue in Washington, DC, February 27, in which anyone can participate either in person or via Webcast.

PCORI will review all of the input received and use it to revise the draft priorities and agenda before it adopts them. Once the initial priorities and agenda are adopted, PCORI will issue its first funding announcements for primary research in May.