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Physical therapists' opinions and practices regarding direct access
K L Crout1, J H Tweedie, D J Miller
1HealthAlliance-Fairlawn Nursing Center, Leominster, MA 01453, USA. crout79@aol.com
Physical Therapy
|January 27, 1998
Summary
Physical therapists in both direct-access and limited-access states show equal support for direct access. However, practice and financial barriers limit its use in direct-access states like Massachusetts.
Area of Science:
- Physical Therapy
- Healthcare Policy
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Direct access allows patients to see physical therapists without physician referral.
- State regulations vary significantly regarding physical therapist direct access.
- Understanding therapist perspectives is crucial for policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare physical therapist opinions and practices on direct access between Massachusetts (direct access) and Connecticut (evaluation only).
- Investigate the extent and barriers to direct access utilization by therapists in Massachusetts.
Main Methods:
- Survey distributed to 329 physical therapists in Massachusetts and 179 in Connecticut.
- Statistical analyses included independent group t tests and chi-square analyses.
- Frequencies used to analyze direct access practices in Massachusetts.
Main Results:
- Therapist support for direct access was high and similar in both states (74.9%).
- Connecticut therapists favored more regulations on direct access compared to Massachusetts therapists.
- In Massachusetts, 34% of therapists practiced direct access, with 8.8% of patients seen without referral; employer policies and reimbursement were key barriers.
Conclusions:
- While physical therapists generally support direct access, regulatory differences exist in opinions.
- Practice and financial constraints significantly limit the utilization of direct access in Massachusetts.
- Further research is needed to address barriers and optimize direct access implementation.