Candidate Question

I have previously been slated as a candidate for Nominating Committee of the Student Assembly of the APTA. The National Student Conclave is coming up next weekend. Before I get to Dallas where everything is bigger, I have to prepare my 15 possible questions that will be asked of me. So I have decided to post my first draft of my answers here on my blog. I do this under the assumption that other candidates won't "borrow" too much of my responses here.

There is a scheduled "candidate statement" session on Saturday October 28 from 1:45-3:15 PM (Dallas Time aka Central Time). Here candidates will have one minute to respond to one random question of the 15 we have been given and 30 seconds to explain why we are the most qualified candidate. Be forewarned that the following thoughts are not even close to what I will say in Dallas. What follows is mostly ramblings, but if you have been to this site before you should be used to that...

1. What do you think are the most important issues facing PTs today?

MONEY!!! Mainly in the form of reimbursement, appears to be the number one issue of practicing PTs today. There is less health care insurance available from the government with constant Medicare/Medicaid cuts. PTs spend a lot of time and money just so they can help people, and I truly believe that those that get into PT do NOT do it for the money. For the health that PTs are capable of providing, restoring patients functional ability, helping people walk again, we should be reimbursed at a level where private practices are not losing money because of low reimbursement.
Public education about what a PT can provide is another huge issue. This is part of the inspiration for this blog and my work in starting and being the chair of the community outreach committee at my program. Tomorrow I will actually be going back to my old high school to speak about PT, I am looking forward to it. Until the public understands the benefits of PT the profession will continue to struggle for business with chiropractors, personal trainers, athletic trainers, etc. As a profession I feel we should be known as the musculoskeletal specialists. The best route to get there will be VISION 2020 which I have referred to numerous times in this blog. I won't repeat Dr. Paris's quote again as he may sue me for using it so often.
Evidence Based Practice is another great issue of PTs that can help with the first two issues I mentioned. With some "proof" in the form of research that PT is effective, insurance companies are much more likely to "pony up the dough". Furthermore, with mounting evidence to support our practice techniques there should be a greater public acceptance of PT, of course this information has to find its way to the public...

I will end that there in my current state of fatigue I don't think continuing would benefit anyone... but I will try question 2 for you...
Side note: I have never really seen the movie Speed... I know the premise... but never seent it... oh well

2. If elected, what role will you play in helping to educate students regarding the importance of being a member of the APTA?

Communication is vital and easier than ever in this technological age. I plan on spreading the message of what the APTA can do for you as an individual but more so what your dues can do for the profession. Being an "active member" is not for everyone but being a member and simply staying informed via the APTA newsletters and website is a great alternative. With great members-only resources like "Open Door", PT Journal, PT Magazine, hooked on evidence, useful message boards, PT Bulletin Online, financial programs, and insurance plans, etc. I have a few more ideas for when I am elected but I will stop here as I don't want to give away all the brilliance...

Good night...

Every man dies, not every man really lives... great Braveheart quote... Mel is really living that line up recently...