Congratulations to all the new PT and PTA graduates! Are you ready to join the ranks of the employed and impact the future of healthcare? The future can be a daunting concern for all of us. Healthcare seems to be a moving target, although everyone wants to define it, control it, change it, and most of all, understand it. As I have often mentioned, I believe Physical Therapy can greatly impact the future of healthcare. I think that is the goal of all Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, not just the new professionals.
If we have a role in the future of healthcare, how does continuing competence best serve the profession and the public? Discussion on continuing competency began after the 2009 House of Delegates referred three motions on continuing competency back to the Board asking for a final report at the 2010 House. With an extensive review planned and anticipated feedback, the Board has asked that the motions be postponed further--to the 2011 House. A draft issue paper, Continuing Competence in Physical Therapy: An Ongoing Discussion, written by members of APTA and the Federation of State Boards of PT, has been reviewed by the boards of both organizations and will be circulated for additional discussion and feedback from APTA's House of Delegates, sections, chapters, and districts and at an open forum during PT 2010 in Boston. An electronic survey to collect feedback and a facilitator's guide accompanies the document, which has now been posted on the APTA website. I encourage everyone to look under Professional Development and view these resources.
The paper does create a forum for several elements regarding competence and the stance of APTA and FSBPT. Why is it important? Who is responsible for ensuring continuing competence? How do you evaluate competence? These are a few of the issues that are outlined within the paper. FSBPT has identified their definitions of continuing competence and competence which was done in collaboration with APTA as listed in the draft: Competence is the application of knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to function effectively, safely, ethically, and legally within the context of the individual's role and environment. Continuing competence is the lifelong process of maintaining and documenting competence through ongoing self-assessment, development, and implementation of a personal learning plan and subsequent reassessment. APTA House of Delegates created their definitions in 2007 relating to professional development and continuing competence: Competence: The possession and application of contemporary knowledge, skills, and abilities commensurate with an individual's (physical therapist or physical therapist assistant) role within the context of public health, welfare, and safety. Continuing Competence: The ongoing possession and application of contemporary knowledge, skills, and abilities commensurate with an individual's (physical therapist or physical therapist assistant) role within the context of public health, welfare, and safety and defined by a scope of practice and practice setting. Although the definitions seem to be similar, the process of understanding the distinction of competence as addressed by both groups remains unclear. The terms "effectiveness" and "quality care" are considered without specific definitions but used frequently in state practice acts. The North Dakota Practice Act is actually referenced as a sample of terms used in state laws. The draft paper is thirty-three pages in length and worth reading as this piece of the future will certainly affect as all.
As our new graduates start their work career with entry-level competence and the established therapists work with experience and competence within their particular areas of practice, both groups will strive to ensure patients receive effective and quality care. We can all certainly learn from one another to build a better future for the physical therapy profession. APTA needs to be strong in membership to make certain physical therapy continues to move forward into the future.
I would like to get out and visit therapists around the state and perhaps discuss the future. I will be asking some of you to help me create town hall meetings and stimulate discussion on the future of physical therapy. Stay tuned for that and please let me know if you want to set up a meeting in your area. We will also be starting a new feature in our Newsletter entitled "PT Spotlight." NDPTA has many outstanding members and we need to get the word out! Stay tuned for that and let me know of any peers you would like "spotlighted." We will be starting a student focus piece as well so we can hear from the up and coming. Students are a vital part of NDPTA and certainly the future! Please keep in touch; my door is always open.
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