Dear Lori,
The way I see it:
-- PT interventions will *have to* be/get evidence-based if there
is significant doubt about the efficacy (doubt, whether under
physicians/insurers or patients).
-- PT interventions will *have to* be/get evidence-based if there
is significant doubt about the working mechanism(s) and no efficacy studies
have been done yet that would prove that it is effective.
-- PT interventions should *preferably* be/get evidence-based in most
other cases, but this should not be understood as: "If some PT
interventions are not evidence-based, it means they do not
work."
What exactly do you mean with the Doctorate of PT? A MSc/PhD, or the title
"Doctor of PT"? I think the first is a good idea (the understanding of even the
basic principles of scientific research, and what that means for our
professional standards, is sometimes dramatically low). But regarding the
second: the title "Doctor of Chiropractic", as all chiropractors have
(DC), has not prevented chiropractic from having come under heavy
fire.
Regarding the reimbursements, (just) for your information: all PT
treatments are reimbursed equally here in The Netherlands. There is no
differentiation between different kinds of treatments, be it that manipulative
therapy (MT), if one officially is a MT and the referral specifically asks
for MT, has a 50% higher tariff. That also counts for pediatric PT.
R.,
Frank
F.J.J. Conijn, PT
Editor, Physical Therapist's Literature Update
The
Internet Journal of Literature Updates for Clinicians in Primary Care
Orthopaedic Medicine & Rehabilitation
www.ptlitup.com
----- Oorspronkelijk bericht -----
Verzonden: zaterdag 24 januari 2004 18:40
Onderwerp: Kinesiotape and Reimbursement
I have been following this very lively discussion regarding
kinesiotaping. We have had similar discussions amongst my colleagues. While I
remain skeptical and have stopped used kinesiotaping due to lack of evidence,
others have not.
I am an active member of the American Physical Therapy
Association, our professional organization. I recognize that our profession and
educational level is moving toward and has indeed arrived at a Doctorate of
Physical Therapy. We are striving to become the practitioner of choice when
patients require health care interventions for movement related dysfunctions. I
believe this level of responsibility requires evidence that our interventions
make a difference. What do PTs and PT students think? I question anecdotal
statements, or even the fact that Lance Armstrong uses kinesiotape (I am
a
big fan).
I attended a continuing education Course on Coding and
Reimbursement yesterday. Which brings up the question - How do you charge for
kinesiotape? Without published evidence in reputable journals, are we expecting
third party payors to reimburse this service?
Thanks for your
input.
Lori Sabado, PT
Seattle, Washington