Making sense of physical therapy

Facility-based and payer-based case managers are increasingly having to interact with physical therapists in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, out-patient clinics, and home care settings. Each level of care offers challenges to the case manager and physical therapist. It is critical that communication between the two be efficient and timely. Misunderstandings will interrupt the flow of patient care and have the potential to negatively impact outcomes of care. There are many resources available to the case manager that will help eliminate any of the confusion about services provided by physical therapists. This article explains the role of the physical therapist and strategies offered for successful collaboration between case manager and therapist.