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Observational Study
. 2022 Oct;30(5):261-272.
doi: 10.1080/10669817.2022.2106729. Epub 2022 Aug 13.

Physical Therapists Are Routinely Performing the Requisite Skills to Directly Refer for Musculoskeletal Imaging: An Observational Study

Lance M Mabry  1 , Richard Severin  2   3 , Angela S Gisselman  4 , Michael D Ross  5 , Todd E Davenport  6 , Brian A Young  3 , Aaron P Keil  2 , Don L Goss  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Physical Therapists Are Routinely Performing the Requisite Skills to Directly Refer for Musculoskeletal Imaging: An Observational Study

Lance M Mabry et al. J Man Manip Ther. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore if physical therapists are practicing skills necessary to refer patients for musculoskeletal imaging.

Methods: An expert panel established a list of nine requisite skills to refer for musculoskeletal imaging. A blinded expert panel validated the list using a 5-point Likert scale. The skills list was examined via an electronic survey distributed to United States physical therapists.

Results: 4,796 respondents were included. Each of the nine skills were routinely performed by a majority of the respondents (range: 54.52-94.72%). Respondents routinely performed 6.95 (± 0.06) skills, with 67.41% routinely performing seven or more skills. Doctors of physical therapy routinely performed more imaging skills (7.15 ± 0.06) compared to their masters- (6.44 ± 0.19) and bachelors-trained (5.95 ± 0.21) counterparts (p < 0.001). Residency/fellowship-trained physical therapists were more likely to routinely perform more imaging skills (7.60 ± 0.11 vs. 6.79 ± 0.07, p < 0.001). Imaging skill performance was greater among board-certified physical therapists (7.39 ± 0.09 vs. 6.71 ± 0.08, p < 0.001) and APTA members (7.06 ± 0.07 vs. 6.65 ± 0.12, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Physical therapists are routinely practicing the requisite imaging skills to directly refer to a radiologist for musculoskeletal imaging.

Keywords: Medical imaging; certification; educational status; nonmedical residency; patient education; referral and consultation; triage.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Lance Mabry receives financial compensation for instructing musculoskeletal imaging continuing education courses.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Respondent inclusion flow diagram.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Three levels of physical therapist scope of practice.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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