Physical Therapists Positioned to Serve as Primary Care Providers Throughout the U.S. Military
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Physical Therapy Association announces that the U.S. Department of Defense will allow physical therapists to serve as primary care providers for neuromusculoskeletal conditions across all military settings. This designation is based on significant DOD analysis and further confirms the value and cost-effectiveness of early intervention physical therapy.
- ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Physical Therapy Association announces that the U.S. Department of Defense will allow physical therapists to serve as primary care providers for neuromusculoskeletal conditions across all military settings.
- "The Department of Defense's decision to elevate physical therapists as primary care providers for neuromusculoskeletal conditions is a testament to the effectiveness and efficiency of the physical therapist's role in our military health system," said Congressman Trent Kelly, R-Miss, who was responsible for ensuring that a request for further analysis of taking physical therapy primary care system-wide be included in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
- "It is entirely feasible for physical therapists to serve in a primary care [neuromusculoskeletal expert] role throughout the DOD," the report states.
- The American Physical Therapy Association represents more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students nationwide.