Highlights
- •Benefits and underutilization of physical therapy are evident.
- •Heightening familiarity with physical therapy optimizes primary patient care.
- •Collaboration with a physical therapist reduces invasive and costly treatment options.
- •A whole health delivery approach with physical therapy promotes optimal clinical outcomes.
Abstract
The combined effects of longer life, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries increase
the need for rehabilitation services. Although physical therapists’ unique skill set
on movement-related dysfunction allows for broad contributions to health care, physical
therapy (PT) remains underutilized. This article situates the problem within the broader
primary care context, focusing on PT’s ability to mitigate disability and dysfunction
in complex syndromes including pelvic floor incontinence, vertigo, cancer, chronic
neuromusculoskeletal pain, and long coronavirus disease (ie, lingering effects after
acute coronavirus disease infection passes). The path from PT research to clinical
implementation remains dependent on factors beyond research evidence. This overview
underscores the need to address this evidence to practice gap.
Keywords
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Biography
Annabel Nunez-Gaunaurd, PhD, PT, MSPT, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Florida International University in Miami and can be contacted at [email protected]
Biography
Deana Goldin, PhD, DNP, APRN, is an associate professor in the Department Graduate Nursing at Florida International University.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 15, 2022
Footnotes
In compliance with standard ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.
Identification
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