The National Commission on Certification of Physical Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physical Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physical Assistants (NCCPA) certifies physical therapist assistants to execute their mandate fully. Physical assistants are health professionals practicing medicine as team members under the supervision of physicians. They perform and offer multiple surgical and medical services to diverse populations, both in urban and rural settings. Licensed physical therapist assistants are therefore expected to educate and counsel patients, establish patient treatment plans, improve patient communication, perform patient physical examinations, evaluate and interpret patient diagnostic data (Platts et al. 262-273). All their roles are primarily meant to enhance cost-effective and high-quality medical care to all society members. The physical assistants’ functions under supervision and responsibility form the scoop of this paper.

First, physical therapist assistants evaluate and interpret patient diagnostic data. They assess patient diagnostic data by assessing patient history, conduct system reviews, and performing measures and tests that discern existing potential problems. The examinations and procedures performed are aimed at ensuring high-quality diagnosis, prognosis, and care plans tailored to meet the patient’s needs (Gilliland et al. 499-511). Evaluating patient data helps to determine whether it is possible to address the patient’s problem under their care, or there is a need for further specified treatment. Patient data and history assessment help to conduct re-examinations, provide necessary interventions aimed at achieving anticipated goals, and develop and implement patient discharge plans.

Physical therapist assistants pass interpreted patient data and information to the patients professionally.  Communication is fundamental in enhancing and establishing an ample patient-physician relationship. Improved patient-physician relationship and patients outcomes are defined by effective communication. Physical therapy assistants encouraging open communication usually obtain complete and accurate required information from the patients as they easily win patients’ trust.  This promotes precise diagnosis, facilitates patient education and counseling, consequently improving adherence

to healthcare plans improving patient health in the long run. The therapists are encouraged to use the partnership type of communication when interacting with the patients. Partnership model, through negotiation and consensus, increases patient participation in their healthcare (Platts et al. 262-273). Moreover, physical therapist assistants use the AIDET model, which is acknowledged, introduce, duration, explanation, and thank you approach and the RESPECT model, which has core elements such as rapport, empathy, support, partnership, explanations, cultural competence, and trust. The RESPECT model is the most effective as it promotes cultural diversity awareness and develops patient-physician rapport.

Additionally, physical therapist assistants are responsible for educating and counseling patients. Once a patient’s condition has been identified, it is in the place of the physical therapist assistant to inform the patient on the same. They take patients through the existing problem, modes of treatment, ways to recovery, available treatment plans, and ensure the patient is fully aware and

understands their issue (Goodman et al.). They also educate patients on the importance of following treatment plans. The physical therapist assistants go a step further to counsel the patients. While some patients easily accept their conditions and forge a path to recovery, others can deny and even develop psychological issues. It is the work of the assistants to counsel these types of patients and ensure they are at peace and accept their conditions for ease of treatment.

Physical therapist assistants perform patient physical examinations. Since their profession involve

s the diagnostic and treatment of patients with difficulties in mobility and performing daily activities, physical therapist assistants are mainly engaged in performing physical examinations on their patients (Mansfield et al.). Therefore, their investigations aim at establishing any preexisting mobility-related disorder or injuries that could inhibit movement. The physical examination always includes, but not limited to, HEENT evaluation, that is, evaluation of the head, eyes, ears, and throat. In

severe cases, the physical therapist assistants may include imaging study results such as x-rays, MRI, and or CT scans. This ensures proper examinations that enhance appropriate diagnostics and treatment for optimal recovery.

Moreover, physical therapist assistants establish patient treatment plans. After physical examinations and diagnosis in patients, what follows is treatment. Physical therapist assistants develop patient treatment plans depending on the diagnostics and the severity of the patient’s condition (Goodman et al.). A treatment plan must incorporate diagnoses, long term treatment objectives, the kind, quantity, duration, and rate of therapy sessions. The estab

lishing of a treatment plan forges a path towards correcting a preexisting problem that could limit mobility, and both the patient and the physical therapist assistants set on recovery. The treatment plan acts as a guide and a manual towards attaining the prior level of functionality and encourages activity and lifestyle practices that promote fitness and health. Without the treatment plan, it is impossible to carry out physical therapy.

In conclusion, physical therapist assistants are an indispensable component in healthcare provision. Their role in examination, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions inhibiting movement and

performance of daily activities plays a significant role in improving the quality of life for many patients. Due to the sensitive nature of their responsibilities, physical therapist assistants need to be regulated by a government body and supervised jointly by physicians to maintain standard services and promote proper diagnosis and treatment.

Work cited

Gilliland, et al. “Patterns of clinical reasoning in physical therapist students.” Physical

therapy 97.5 (2017): 499-511.

Goodman, et al. Pathology for the Physical Therapist Assistant-E-Book. Elsevier Health

Sciences, 2016.

Mansfield, et al. Essentials of Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant E-Book. Elsevier

Health Sciences, 2018.

Platts, et al. “Adding Value—Supporting Patient Education Services at the Bedside.” Journal of

hospital librarianship 15.3 (2015): 262-273.