Psychobiological adaptation model for physical therapy practice

This article describes the Psychobiological Adaptation Model for the practice of physical therapy. The focus of the model is optimal treatment outcome. Treatment outcome is a function of both psychobiological factors associated with the patient and clinical professional factors associated with the therapist. A second order of factors exerts its effect on treatment outcome indirectly. Psychosocial factors influence the psychobiological factors relating to the patient. Education and research professional factors influence the clinical professional factors and the quality of the clinical skills provided by the therapist. Unlike some other health professions, physical therapy does not have a well-developed conceptual model of practice. This discussion of the advantages of a model of practice focuses on the development of an integrated, programmatic approach to the advancement of physical therapy in the following three areas: service, education, and research.