MovingForward

Working Together in Challenging Times

Paul Rockar — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:11:47 GMT

March 27, 2013: The physical therapy profession is facing additional cuts to Medicare payment for services starting April 1.

Moving Beyond Vision 2020: Join the Discussion

Moving Forward Staff — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:02:06 GMT

January 16, 2013: Vision 2020 has served as APTA's official vision statement for the future of physical therapy since it was adopted by the House of Delegates (House) in 2000. In 2011, the House adopted a motion to revise Vision 2020, and the APTA Board of Directors (Board) appointed a Vision Task Force to manage the process.

Aging and the Physical Therapist: Helping Your Patients Stay Fit at 50 and Beyond

Paul Rockar — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:06:43 GMT

September 27, 2012: To promote healthy aging, APTA is launching its "Fit After 50" Move Forward campaign to educate the public about the important role physical therapists play in helping people ages 50 and older remain active, fit, and mobile.

A July 'First' for the Board

Paul Rockar — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:45:22 GMT

July 31, 2012: APTA's Board of Directors continued its 2012 meeting schedule with its first face-to-face July meeting, just 6 weeks after the House of Delegates. This was new territory for everyone-seasoned Board members; new Board members, who hit the ground running; and me as your new president.

Thank You, Scott!

Moving Forward Staff — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:28:52 GMT

June 6, 2012: This afternoon, outgoing APTA president R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD, was honored for his service at the closing ceremonies of the APTA House of Delegates.

Empowering and Positioning PTs and PTAs Through APTA Initiatives

R Scott Ward — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:20:46 GMT

April 30, 2012: The weekend of April 21-22 and the days surrounding it were some of the most extraordinary in my 6 years as APTA president. On April 20, APTA's Leadership Forum kicked off in Washington, DC, with the Board of Directors (Board) meeting and Leadership Symposium, which was followed by the popular Federal Advocacy Forum. The 4-day event enabled APTA members to participate in some of the most important conversations that are taking place in the physical therapy profession.The weekend of April 21 22 and the days surrounding it were some of the most extraordinary in my 6 years as APTA president. On April 20, APTA's Leadership Forum kicked off in Washington, DC, with the Board of Directors

Health Care Reform's Triple Aim: Is Physical Therapy Ready for Innovation and Integration?

R Scott Ward — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:55:15 GMT

December 16, 2011: Yesterday, a message was sent to association members regarding the recent Board of Directors meeting that references the "Triple Aim" of health care and its influence on policy. We'd like to take this opportunity to further explain the Triple Aim and discuss physical therapy's role in what has become a major focus in the post-health care reform debate.

Sending a Message on Direct Access

R Scott Ward — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:30:46 GMT

November 23, 2011: Over the past several weeks, we've seen some great coverage of the Health Services Research study supporting direct access to physical therapists. As APTA announced in a recent news release, the study found that direct access to physical therapists is associated with lower costs and fewer visits and suggests that "the role of the physician gatekeeper in regard to physical therapy may be unnecessary in many cases."

A Tribute to 2 Leaders of the Profession

R Scott Ward — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:20:29 GMT

October 17, 2011: APTA recently lost 2 truly remarkable leaders. And although these are losses not only for APTA but for the entire profession of physical therapy, their contributions to the profession and beyond will serve as lasting tributes.

There's No Place Like Home

R Scott Ward — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:06:13 GMT

September 7, 2011: Congress is back in session, with many issues of importance to our profession on its docket. But even during the congressional recess in August, many of our members were keeping in touch with their legislators back home - and in some cases inviting them to their practices to provide a firsthand look at the important role physical therapists and physical therapists assistants play in the lives of the American people.

Do Nice Guys Finish First When It Comes to Health Care?

R Scott Ward — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:36:09 GMT

July 13, 2011: Do nice patients get better care than others? That's a complicated question. As physical therapists we are on the front lines of patient care. Interpersonal relationships and close, one-on-one interactions with our patients are simply a part of what we do.

2011 House of Delegates: Emergence & Evolution

Moving Forward Staff — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:12:35 GMT

June 22, 2011: For those not acquainted with APTA's House of Delegates, I describe it as the physical therapy profession's Congress but without the whole "bicameral" thing. While it is exceedingly difficult to summarize the work of such a complex political body, I'm not one to back down from a challenge! The House of Delegates, or the House, as it is known, is the highest governing body of our association.

PT Day on Capitol Hill: Stepping Up to the Plate

Moving Forward Staff — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:00:57 GMT

June 13, 2011: It's the bottom of the ninth and the bases are loaded. Are we, the profession of physical therapy, going to step up to the plate to be heard? The answer is a resounding YES! YES to the hope of hitting a home run! YES to being heard!

PT Day on Capitol Hill: Found the Purpose

Moving Forward Staff — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:15:14 GMT

June 11, 2011: As I stood on the lawn in front of the Capitol listening to a beautiful trio sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" I was filled with excitement and a sense of purpose mixed with a little trepidation about the day to come. I am a middle-aged member who attended the national legislative rally for my first time Thursday, and the whole experience exceeded my expectations.

Sharing the Experience: Bloggers Needed for Annual Conference

R Scott Ward — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:04:24 GMT

May 26, 2011: This year at PT 2011, we'd like to help facilitate those important connections and conversations in a new way by recruiting attendees to use this blog to discuss their experiences during Annual Conference. We want you to share your perceptions and personal experiences during sessions, events, and other social activities while you're there, with the goal of expanding the impact of PT 2011, continuing that valuable exchange of ideas and knowledge that will help you and your colleagues grow as professionals.

Advocacy in Action

R Scott Ward — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:00:09 GMT

May 10, 2011: If you need encouragement to attend APTA's PT Day on Capitol Hill, June 8-9, look no farther than a recent example of successful grassroots advocacy by one of our chapters. Our Alabama colleagues proved there really is strength in numbers when – shortly after their PT Legislative Day & Rally on April 26 – direct access legislation in Alabama, Senate Bill 361, moved forward in the state’s Senate Health Committee with amendments proposed by the chapter.

Protecting Our Players

R Scott Ward — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:08:10 GMT

April 22, 2011: Concussion management has become big news lately as the professional sporting leagues deal with the issue and its effects on their players.

Zero Tolerance

R Scott Ward — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:56:28 GMT

April 4, 2011: News reports of alleged Medicare fraud seem to be a regular occurrence these days - a reality that should give pause to everyone in the health care field.

Defining Ourselves

R Scott Ward — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:57:49 GMT

March 25, 2011: As the Texas Physical Therapy Association continues to generate media coverage of a bill that would allow direct access to physical therapists, we know that many of our colleagues are fighting similar battles at the state level across the country. All too often, other professions attempt to inaccurately or inappropriately define our profession through legislative and regulatory efforts. Ironically, these same health care providers are often in a position to determine whether a patient "needs" physical therapy.

'Moving Forward' to a New Home

R Scott Ward — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:46:56 GMT

March 18, 2011: I hope you're as excited as I am about the recent changes to APTA's Web site, www.apta.org. Along with a contemporary new design, top-notch functionality, and improved user experience, changes to the site include a new "home" for this blog, Moving Forward.

Growing the Grassroots at the State Level

Kelly Gardner — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:05:33 GMT

February 25, 2011: Advocacy efforts by APTA members in Texas and California are being boosted this week with the help of some excellent media coverage on issues that significantly impact the quality of patient care – direct access and referral for profit.

Online Reviews: Helpful or Hurtful?

R Scott Ward — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:16:38 GMT

February 11, 2011: As APTA gears up to launch a robust consumer information portal at MoveForwardPT.com this spring, I came across an interesting opinion piece by an MD on the use of online physician review sites. The writer discusses how a negative review by a patient helped him and his office staff improve their patient care and turn a potentially damaging public relations situation into a positive one.