Cory,

2 misconceptions in your posting.

1.. PTAs as Affiliate members of APTA have never had full voting privileges
- each Affiliate vote is a 50% vote worth only half the vote of a PT or
active member of APTA.

2.  The question of voting privileges within APTA is an issue of GOVERNANCE
for the Association.  Questions related to clinical care and especially the
supervision of ancillary personnel are issues of PRACTICE.  I believe these
are very separate concepts and should be addressed as such.



At 01:05 AM 3/25/1998 EST, you wrote:
>Cory,
>
>This topic has raised an interesting point when brought up amongst 
>my fellow therapists.  What is the origin of the PTA and is this an
>obsolete, possibly destructive concept given the upcoming glut of 
>PT's?
>
>I am affraid not one of my collegues could give a compelling reason 
>why PTA's should have an EQUAL vote on SAME issues.  It has been
>suggested that the PTA should have a vote in matters pertaining to the scope
>of practice required by the PT practice act,  getting complicated?
>
>Here in California, with the proper educational background, one can challenge
>the
>PTA exam and be given all the responsibilities of a schooled PTA.  This along
>with
>the 3 new PTA programs opening in my area alone, lead me to wonder who is
>going
>to give these people jobs.  The ironic thing is, it is the PT who is
>responsible for the
>improper use of the PTA.  The private practitioner who uses 3 PTA's, one PT,
>the
>hospital  that responds to budgetary considerations when deciding; PT or PTA?
>
>One concept thrown around was the consolidation of the educational programs
>for: PT, OT and ATC.  One could graduate with say, a Masters in
Rehabilitation
>Science
>and specialization would occur in the program to accomodate; sports, ortho,
>neuro, occupational injuries, pediatrics, geriatrics, etc.   Along with this
>would come
>the regulation of PTA or "Rehab. Assistant" and the abolishment of the "aide"
>or 
>tech.  The general feeling, during our impromtu discussion, was that we (the
>APTA 
>and greater body of therapists/trainers) need to recognize our
encroachment on
>each others traditional treatment grounds and help our governing bodies
take a
>leadership role in redefining our designation before our payors define
payment
>structure based on the gross abundance of therapists who will do the job 
>regardless of the reimbursement rate.
>
>So, Cory...  Very long answer to your short question;  we cannot understand
>why
>a PTA should be given voting rights.  Though you may want to ask a
politically
>active PTA, I am sure they will have a very different view. 
>
>R. May, PT 
>
>
Peter R. Kovacek, MSA, PT
KovacekManagementServices, Inc.
The FOCUS Group, Inc.
20225 Danbury Lane
Harper Woods, MI  48225
(313) 884-8920
(313) 884-8510 Fax
Email [log in to unmask] 
<http://www.theFOCUSgroup.net>


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%