History of Physical Therapy

By parke7clmmcc
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    Formative Years

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    Polio Epidemic

  • World War I

    The U.S. entered World War I on this date. The Medical Department of the U.S. Army created the Division of Physical Reconstruction. The staff (called reconstruction aides) provided massage, hydrotherapy, and other physiotherapy treatments to disabled veterans. The reconstruction aides were divided into two groups - 1 group provided the treatments listed above, and 1 group provided vocational training for employment. These groups became PTs and OTs.
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    The Development Years

  • The creation of the American Women's Physical Therapeutics Association (AWPTA)

    A group of former reconstruction aides from the Division of Special Hospitals and Physical Reconstruction of the U.S. Army met and formed the American Women's Physical Therapeutics Association (AWPTA). In the first year the membership included 274 members from 32 states.

  • P.T. Review published

    The AWPTA began a quarterly publishication titled the "P.T. Review". The publication was a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal.

  • AWPTA became the American Physiotherapy Association

    The organization changed its name to reflect the need to include men as the organization grew.
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    The Fundamental Accomplishment Years

  • World War II

    War Emergency Training Courses began in preparation for the anticipated entry of the U.S. into the second World War. Physical therapists were the new equivalent to the first World War's reconstruction aides, and were trained to assist wounded soldiers to recover and return to combat or their pre-war occupations.

  • APA creates the House of Delegates

    The HOD is the branch of the APTA today that creates standards and legislative bylaws of the Association in regards to physical therapy practice and the profession.

  • APA changes its name to the American Physical Therapy Association

    Commonly known as the APTA today.

  • Vaccine eradicates the Polio epidemic.

  • Medicare and Medicaid programs established

    These programs allowed for more citizens to access physical therapy services, which in turn, increased the demand for physical therapists.

  • Physical Therapist Assistants developed

    HOD spent 1967 and 1968 developing the education of the PTA, and confirmed their title in 1969.
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    Mastery Years

  • HOD adopts policy for PTs to practice without physician referral

    By 1988, direct access was legal in 20 states. This allows clients to seek directly the services of the physical therapist without seeing their primary physician for a referral or prescrition first.

  • APTA establishes permanent headquarters in Alexandria, VA

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    Adaptation Years

  • Implementation of the Balanced Budget Act

    Signed by President Clinton in August, 1997, the BBA capped Medicare spending to balance the budget. This cap was $1500 for PT and speech services per benficiary. The resultant outcome was less utilization of physical therapy services and ultimately job losses, closed educational programs, and detrimental lack of treatment for the elderly.

  • All PT educational programs had transitioned to master degree level.

    Although the transition began in the early 1990's, not all schools had made the transition from bachelor's degree to master's degree programs until 2002.

  • National Assembly of PTAs dissolved and the PTA Caucus was created

    The Caucus was purposed to more fully involve the PTA membership in the governance structure of the APTA, and allow for an increase of PTA influence in the APTA.

  • PTAs are the only individuals to assist PTs

    The APTA designated PTAs as the only assistants to physical therapists in selected interventions while under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
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    Vision and Application of Scientific Pursuit Years

  • APTA creates 2020 Vision Statementfor Physical Therapy

    Includes the following: 1. Doctorate of Physical Therapy for all PT education programs (DPT), 2. Direct Access in all states, 3. Licensed and educated PTAs will assist PTs with components of interventions, 4. PTs and PTAs will provide culturally sensitive care, 5. Autonomous care, 6. Professional growth, and 7. Provision of evidence-based services.