Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Applied Health Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
College of Health and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Phys Ther. 2021 Mar 3;101(3). doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzab013.
In recent years, the use of diagnostic imaging in physical therapist practice in the United States has gained considerable interest. In several countries around the world and in the US military, patient direct referral for diagnostic imaging has been considered normative practice for decades. US physical therapy program accreditation standards now stipulate that diagnostic imaging content must be included in physical therapist educational curricula. The American Physical Therapy Association has made efforts to pursue practice authority for imaging referral. A recent review of state practice acts and other statutory language concluded that many states have no prohibitions against physical therapists referring for imaging studies. Additionally, physical therapists can now pursue certification as musculoskeletal sonographers. In light of these advances, and with a growing number of physical therapists serving patients who have not yet seen another health care provider, it may be helpful for those who have been actively involved in the use of imaging in physical therapist practice to provide their collective recommendations to serve as a guideline to those interested in incorporating this practice privilege. The purpose of this perspective article is to provide an overview of the key elements necessary for effective implementation of referral for imaging in physical therapist practice while emphasizing the cornerstone of effective communication.
近年来，美国物理治疗师在实践中越来越多地使用诊断成像技术，这引起了人们的极大兴趣。在世界上的几个国家和美国军队中，几十年来，患者直接转诊进行诊断成像一直被认为是规范做法。美国物理治疗项目认证标准现在规定，物理治疗师的教育课程必须包含诊断成像内容。美国物理治疗协会一直努力争取影像转诊的实践权限。最近对州际实践法案和其他法定语言的审查得出结论，许多州对物理治疗师进行影像检查没有禁止性规定。此外，物理治疗师现在可以获得肌肉骨骼超声检查认证。鉴于这些进展，越来越多的物理治疗师为尚未看过其他医疗保健提供者的患者提供服务，对于那些一直积极参与物理治疗师实践中使用影像的人来说，提供他们的集体建议作为那些有兴趣纳入这一实践特权的人的指导方针可能会有所帮助。本文的目的是概述在物理治疗师实践中进行影像转诊时实施的关键要素，同时强调有效沟通的基石。
