Re: Colorado Physical Therapy Rules/Regulations

[Guest guest]

Amie,

Thank you for your lengthy response, I know that this took a considerable amount

of time to prepare. I am sorry if I have been perceived as overly persistent in

the questioning of the matter, previously with Jan. This is the type

information needs to be disseminated for the benefit of all. Because of my

involvement in organized veterinary medicine, as you are organized physical

therapy, I was made aware of the Colorado changes by members of the Texas Board

of Vet Med Examiners. These changes generated considerable discussion within

organized veterinary medicine across the country. Previous communications with

some of the principles, on the veterinary side of the discussion in Colorado,

gave a much different rendition of " collaborative effort " that led to

legislative changes. I still have questions as to why changes in legislation

were still requested by the Colorado CVMA in early 2007 but your explanation is

very beneficial.

Rick Wall, DVM

[Guest guest]

It can be helpful to see what's developed in other countries with the legal issues, too. Bergh gave a short overview at the 2010 symposium to summarize the existing systems of collaboration between veterinarians and other health care providers in some of the countries in Europe and Australia.

You can read 's powerpt lecture at www.iavrpt.org and find the link near the bottom of the home page.

janJanet Steiss, DVM, PhD, PT, Dipl. ACVSMR

> To: VetRehab > Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:10:40 -0500> Subject: Colorado Physical Therapy Rules/Regulations> > Hello all.> > I asked Deanna and to clarify some issues that> were raised by previous emails...> > "The term veterinary medical clearance came up as a compromise between> the Colorado Chapter of the APTA and the CVMA. Earlier in the meetings> (back in 2004 and 2006) even before the Colorado Chapter of the APTA> became involved, those of us who were practicing animal PT expressed> to the Veterinary State Board and the CVMA we felt it was best for> there to be a vet involved in each case of rehab. In Colorado we have> direct access (to human patients) so we don't have to have a doctor's> order to do human PT - we can evaluate and treat without a doctor's> order. However, the overall sentiment was that the field of animal PT> was too "young" to do this so we indicated we felt it was best to have> a vet refer. Later when the Colorado APTA got involved they didn't> like the term refer and, as it turns out, neither did some members of> the CVMA as they felt refer should be only to a veterinary specialist.> So in the spirit of still wanting a vet to be involved in sending a> patient for animal PT, we (and I mean all of us), came up with> "veterinary medical clearance" and then our PT practice act explained> a bit more what that means.> > "Also I want to point out, it was made very clear to us once the> Colorado Chapter of the APTA got involved, that to change anything> regarding physical therapy practice, it needs to be addressed through> the physical therapy practice act - not through the veterinary> practice act and vise versa. Each profession should modify their> practices through their own statutes and regulations. That is why in> the final draft it all became a modification of the PT practice act.> > "So there is my best recollection and explanation of what transpired.> We went through many drafts and our State Representaive, Anne McGihon> helped us whittle it down to a bill that could be submitted."> > Veterinary Medical Clearance definition from the final Rules 2007:> > C. Prior to performing physical therapy on an animal the physical> therapist shall obtain veterinary medical clearance of the animal by a> Colorado licensed veterinarian and must document such clearance in the> animal patient’s record.> > D. Veterinary medical clearance means:> > 1. The veterinarian has previously examined the animal patient and has> provided a differential diagnosis if appropriate.> > 2. The veterinarian has cleared the animal for physical therapy.> > I hope that this helps to clarify some of the questions that were> raised. The APTA and Animal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group> have always been in support of collaborative efforts between physical> therapists and veterinary medical professionals. In 2005, the APTA> Board of Directors released the following position statement:> > The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) acknowledges the> collaborative relationships> of physical therapists and veterinarians and the evolution of> specialized practice by physical> therapists in animal rehabilitation. Consistent with the Mission> Statement Fulfillment adopted by> the House of Delegates to enable physical therapists to improve their> knowledge and skills in the> interest of furthering the profession where allowable by law and> regulation, the practice of animal> rehabilitation by physical therapists is permissible.> > Respectfully,> Amie L. Hesbach, MSPT> President, Animal Rehabilitation SIG, Orthopaedic Section, APTA> > > ------------------------------------> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the link Jan,I would like to add that as past-President of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, I need to reaffirm our commitment to working in the

field of veterinary rehabilitation using a multidisciplinary approach. Our recommendations are outlined in our Model Standards of Practice http://rehabvets.org/_docs/AARV_Model_Guidelines_2011-02-07.pdf

As the Colorado law states, a patient should only be treated by a Physical Therapist trained in animal rehabilitation if they have first been examined and cleared by a licensed veterinarian. The AARV recommends that the ideal veterinary rehabilitation practice has both a veterinarian trained in rehabilitation and a physical therapist working together, with the veterinarian as team-leader.

Tomlinson

 

It can be helpful to see what's developed in other countries with the legal issues, too.  Bergh gave a short overview at the 2010 symposium to summarize the existing systems of collaboration between veterinarians and other health care providers in some of the countries in Europe and Australia. 

 

You can read 's powerpt lecture at www.iavrpt.org and find the link near the bottom of the home page.

 

janJanet Steiss, DVM, PhD, PT, Dipl. ACVSMR 

> To: VetRehab > Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:10:40 -0500

> Subject: Colorado Physical Therapy Rules/Regulations> > Hello all.> > I asked Deanna and to clarify some issues that> were raised by previous emails...

> > " The term veterinary medical clearance came up as a compromise between> the Colorado Chapter of the APTA and the CVMA. Earlier in the meetings> (back in 2004 and 2006) even before the Colorado Chapter of the APTA

> became involved, those of us who were practicing animal PT expressed> to the Veterinary State Board and the CVMA we felt it was best for> there to be a vet involved in each case of rehab. In Colorado we have

> direct access (to human patients) so we don't have to have a doctor's> order to do human PT - we can evaluate and treat without a doctor's> order. However, the overall sentiment was that the field of animal PT

> was too " young " to do this so we indicated we felt it was best to have> a vet refer. Later when the Colorado APTA got involved they didn't> like the term refer and, as it turns out, neither did some members of

> the CVMA as they felt refer should be only to a veterinary specialist.> So in the spirit of still wanting a vet to be involved in sending a> patient for animal PT, we (and I mean all of us), came up with

> " veterinary medical clearance " and then our PT practice act explained> a bit more what that means.> > " Also I want to point out, it was made very clear to us once the> Colorado Chapter of the APTA got involved, that to change anything

> regarding physical therapy practice, it needs to be addressed through> the physical therapy practice act - not through the veterinary> practice act and vise versa. Each profession should modify their

> practices through their own statutes and regulations. That is why in> the final draft it all became a modification of the PT practice act.> > " So there is my best recollection and explanation of what transpired.

> We went through many drafts and our State Representaive, Anne McGihon> helped us whittle it down to a bill that could be submitted. " > > Veterinary Medical Clearance definition from the final Rules 2007:

> > C. Prior to performing physical therapy on an animal the physical> therapist shall obtain veterinary medical clearance of the animal by a> Colorado licensed veterinarian and must document such clearance in the

> animal patient’s record.> > D. Veterinary medical clearance means:> > 1. The veterinarian has previously examined the animal patient and has> provided a differential diagnosis if appropriate.

> > 2. The veterinarian has cleared the animal for physical therapy.> > I hope that this helps to clarify some of the questions that were> raised. The APTA and Animal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group

> have always been in support of collaborative efforts between physical> therapists and veterinary medical professionals. In 2005, the APTA> Board of Directors released the following position statement:

> > The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) acknowledges the> collaborative relationships> of physical therapists and veterinarians and the evolution of> specialized practice by physical

> therapists in animal rehabilitation. Consistent with the Mission> Statement Fulfillment adopted by> the House of Delegates to enable physical therapists to improve their> knowledge and skills in the

> interest of furthering the profession where allowable by law and> regulation, the practice of animal> rehabilitation by physical therapists is permissible.> > Respectfully,> Amie L. Hesbach, MSPT

> President, Animal Rehabilitation SIG, Orthopaedic Section, APTA> > > ------------------------------------> >