All physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are faced with the multiple demands of meeting patient needs, satisfying employer dictates, and working both lawfully and ethically. But those elements are not always in sync. Consider the following scenario.

Is the Phone Really Smart?

Patty has been happily employed as a PT by Right At Home Therapy Services for the past 15 years. She's found the agency to be a model employer, taking a person-first approach to patient care and treating its employees—including a large number of PTs and a much smaller number of PTAs—with great respect.

In addition to providing home care for Right At Home, in recent years Patty also has worked for the company at The Cottages, a graduated-care community for seniors that features an assisted-living apartment building for individuals with complex medical conditions. In the building, Patty often works with Alex, a veteran PTA who the PT highly values for his skills, experience, and judgment. Alex, in turn, appreciates Patty's supervision and guidance.