The Educational Institute for Private Practice Physical Therapy

A Foundation of
The Private Practice Section of the
American Physical Therapy Association

History and Background
In 1955, the Private Practice Section (PPS) was created to focus on the needs of physical therapists who own their own practices or who work in private practice settings. Originally named the Self-Employed Section and organized as a component of APTA, PPS was subsequently incorporated as a separate non-profit association to further support its mission, while retaining its relationship with APTA. Now over 50 years later, PPS continues to actively pursue its mission “to foster the growth, economic viability and business success of physical therapist-owned physical therapy services provided for the benefit of the public.”

PPS recognizes the many critical issues, obstacles and challenges facing physical therapists, particularly those in private practice. Through legislative advocacy, Impact magazine, practice management resources, and educational programming through the PPS Annual Conference and Exposition and APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), PPS provides valuable physical therapy and business knowledge to its membership. Both PPS members and non-members are able to gain new information and knowledge not available from any other source. While no one can predict what the future may bring, PPS leaders have identified some of the key issues that will shape the profession over the next decade. These include:

Autonomous Practice. Increasingly physical therapists view “responsibility for their expertise in the provision of health care” or “autonomous practice” as the future path for the profession. Communication and focused educational programming will be essential to guide the profession to this new professional culture and way of doing business, and to help individual physical therapists from every practice specialty transition to private practice.

Autonomous Profession. The ability of individual therapists to practice autonomously relies upon their professionalism, values, independent judgment, and clinical skills. But an individual physical therapist cannot develop these alone. Social, cultural, economic, and legal conditions conducive to autonomous practice are also required. Such conditions comprise the macro-environment or infrastructure characteristic of an autonomous profession. Health policy research, analysis, and education are mandatory if physical therapy is to continue evolving as an autonomous profession.

Direct Access. Direct public access to physical therapy services will eventually be won in all 50 states. Full and unrestricted access will require physical therapists in private practice to develop new management models and enhanced professional skills. Direct access will also create new private practice opportunities for physical therapists who are currently employed.

Physician-Owned Physical Therapy Services (POPTS). POPTS and Referral for Profit are directly challenging the economic viability of PT-owned physical therapy services all across the country. To win this battle, PTs must gain mastery of the business models, marketing, and public relations strategies, and public policy initiatives that will allow autonomous physical therapist practice to thrive.

Public Awareness. Public understanding and awareness of physical therapy is still limited. Physical therapists in private practice treat patients every day, so they are best positioned to improve public awareness of the profession. However, specific tools to help private practitioners improve public understanding are needed.

Given the scope and critical nature of these issues, and the resources needed to respond effectively, the Private Practice Section concluded that a new organization was necessary to help to tackle these issues through education. That organization is the Educational Institute for Private Practice Physical Therapy.

Purpose of the Educational Institute for Private Practice Physical Therapy
The mission of the Educational Institute for Private Practice Physical Therapy (Institute) is to foster education, health policy analysis, and public and professional awareness to advance the autonomous practice of physical therapy for the benefit of the public.

The Institute helps physical therapists to evolve as autonomous professionals capable of serving the public with distinction and capable of providing services to maximize human movement and function, in health and in disease, throughout the life spectrum. The Institute will serve the entire physical therapy profession, especially those aspiring to, or already in private practice, because the profession cannot realize its potential to serve the public unless its institutional, economic, and business infrastructure support the autonomy of individual practice.

To this end the Institute (1) develops cutting edge educational programs and resources to address the critical and emerging issues and competencies important for physical therapists aspiring to, and already in private practice; (2) strives to fill gaps in health policy research and analysis, by providing seed money to foster critical health policy projects relevant to physical therapist autonomous practice.

The Institute has been formed as a 501c(3) corporation, making it an attractive partner to foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors. As a 501c(3) organization, the Institute, in accomplishing its Mission, is able to accept contributions which are tax-deductible for the donor.

Plans for Current Educational Offerings
In addressing critical and emerging issues and competencies, the Institute has begun to develop an education series for a comprehensive physical therapy private practice education program. The goal is to develop an organized, structured and progressive educational series to advance physical therapists from beginning to advanced levels of knowledge and abilities related to the business skills essential to managing a economically viable physical therapy practice. The series of courses will include the following:

Introductory Session: “Own Your Future: Is an Opportunity in Private Practice for You?” This 60-90 minute session is intended to help individuals determine whether they are ready with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to go into private practice. Topics covered include steps for gaining pre-private practice experience, the basics of financial planning, market research for locations, and resources available to the new practitioner.

Beginner Level Course: “How to Start a Physical Therapy Private Practice”
The course is designed to offer practical, step by step advice to physical therapists who are seriously considering starting a private practice. Session topics include tips to consider with practice, business, and financial plans; developing human resources and setting up a front and back office; understanding reimbursement, coding and billing; and creating marketing plans. This course uses the “Private Practice Physical Therapy: The How-To Manual” as a reference.

Intermediate Level Courses: A series of courses offered at the intermediate level. The series includes in-depth courses on topics such as business and financial planning, developing a human resources toolkit, negotiating with insurers, and documentation and coding. Each course is 1 to 2 days.

Future Plans: The plan for the intermediate education series is for attendees to have the opportunity to earn a “certificate of achievement for physical therapy practice management” for attending a specific number of courses in the series. The Institute will also look to identify and build a relationship with a University to incorporate MBA level training into the physical therapy curriculum which may lead to another type of certificate or credential earned by those who complete the series. In addition, the Institute plans to further develop an advanced mentoring program for participants to learn from each other.

Relationship between the Private Practice Section and the Educational Institute for Private Practice Physical Therapy
Both the Section and the Institute produce educational programs. The Section provides education at the PPS Annual Conference and Exposition, and the APTA Combined Sections Meeting and preconference courses. In addition, PPS offers short-term courses identified by its committees and membership to assist practitioners with immediate day-to-day practice management needs. Examples of these types of sessions include short sessions on how to understand a CMS transmittal or apply for an NPI number or a follow up session or program from PPS annual conference via webinar or audiocast.

The Institute develops and offers core business management courses necessary to run a private practice. These courses may stem from the “Private Practice Physical Therapy: The How-To Manual” or tiered coursework achieved through one day or longer courses. The Institute may assist with developing residencies for physical therapists or work with universities to develop physical therapy and business courses or curriculum that could be offered through a University or College.

Health Policy Research and Analysis: In these early years, it is the intent of the Institute to focus on educational programming. Once the basic education programs have been developed, the Institute may consider health policy research and analysis proposals or projects. Potential studies or projects may include updating the Mitchell Study or studying the role of physician owned physical therapy services on patient care outcomes. These projects will require resources and the Institute may consider a capital campaign to fund these research projects.

Conclusion
The formation of the Educational Institute for Private Practice Physical Therapy inaugurates a new phase in physical therapist education: a strategic effort to bring autonomous practice within the reach of every physical therapist. The Institute will serve as a constantly renewing legacy of immeasurable value to the entire profession.