UNASSIGNED: This study utilized survey data collected in 2020-2021 from US physical therapists. Subjects were asked about imaging referral jurisdictional authority in their state. Responses were analyzed for accuracy and compared to the level of jurisdictional authority and its impact on imaging referral. Analysis of imaging skills performance and imaging referral practices were compared to direct access frequency.
UNASSIGNED: Only 42.0% of physical therapists practicing in states that allow imaging referral were aware of this privilege. Those practicing where imaging referral was allowed via state legislation were significantly more likely (p < 0.01) to be aware of this privilege (71.4%) compared to those granted by the state board (25.2%). Those aware of their imaging referral scope were more likely (p < 0.01) to practice imaging referral (44.5%) compared to those who were unaware (3.2%). Direct access frequency was positively associated with imaging skill performance and imaging referral practice (p < 0.01). Doctors of Physical Therapy, residency/fellowship-trained physical therapists, and board-certified physical therapists all reported practicing greater frequency of direct access (p < 0.01).
UNASSIGNED: There is a striking lack of awareness of imaging privileges among physical therapists as influenced by the level of jurisdictional scope. These results suggest that the lack of awareness may have a dampening effect on diagnostic imaging referrals. The American Physical Therapy Association should consider engaging with state boards to raise imaging privilege awareness.
■这项研究利用了2020-2021年从美国物理治疗师收集的调查数据。询问受试者所在州的影像学转诊管辖权。分析反应的准确性,并将其与管辖权限水平及其对影像学转诊的影响进行比较。将成像技能表现和成像转诊实践的分析与直接访问频率进行了比较。
■在允许影像转诊的州中,只有42.0%的物理治疗师知道此特权。与州委员会授予的特权(25.2%)相比,那些通过州立法允许影像学转诊的人更有可能(p<0.01)意识到这一特权(71.4%)。那些知道他们的影像学转诊范围的人更有可能(p<0.01)进行影像学转诊(44.5%),而那些不知道的人(3.2%)。直接访问频率与成像技能表现和成像转诊实践呈正相关(p<0.01)。物理治疗医生,住院医师/研究员培训的物理治疗师,和董事会认证的物理治疗师都报告了更高的直接访问频率(p<0.01)。
■受管辖范围的影响,物理治疗师对成像特权的认识明显缺乏。这些结果表明,缺乏意识可能会对诊断性影像学转诊产生抑制作用。美国物理治疗协会应考虑与州委员会合作,以提高成像特权意识。