Manipulation Legislative Battles, Advocacy, And Practice Protection

Thursday, October 30, 2008

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Pre Conference Workshop- Manipulation Legislative Battles, Advocacy, And Practice Protection

Cost: $35 donation to PAC for all PTs. FREE for students!!!

 

This special half-day Pre-Conference workshop is offered in support with the Physical

Therapy Association of Washington The special registration fee for this session will be

allocated as a PAC contribution to the Physical Therapy Association of Washington. Our

thanks to the presenters and to the Physical Therapy Association of Washington for bringing this important information to the AAOMPT registrants as well as the Physical Therapy community of Washington State as they face the challenge of addressing current legislation affecting our profession.

This pre-conference course will include three primary components. The first component will be include description of legislative strategies used by physical therapists over the past 20 years to defend the right to practice manipulation in the legislative and regulatory area. The second component will include the current legislative initiatives by the physical therapists in Washington State designed to restore the right to practice spinal manipulation in Washington State. Grassroots efforts and strategies to build relationships with legislators will be emphasized throughout the presentation. The third component of the presentation will include a panel discussion with opportunities for participant interaction to further educate on advocacy for physical therapy practice.

 

Session Objectives:

1. Discuss the legal and legislative implications of manipulation and how it impacts PT

practice.

2. Discuss legislative strategies used by the chiropractic profession

3. Discuss legislative strategies for protecting physical therapy scope of practice in manual therapy and manipulation

4. Provide the necessary tools and resources to empower physical therapists to become

advocates for protection of manipulation within physical therapy practice

5. Discuss WPTA initiatives to restore spinal manipulation

 

Presenters:

William Boissonnault, PT, DHSc, DPT, FAAOMPT

Associate Professor, Division of Physical Therapy

University of Wisconsin, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

 

Ken Olson, PT, DHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT

Northern Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Associates

 

Steve McDavitt, PT, DPT, MS, FAAOMPT

Saco Bay Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy

 

Melissa Johnson

Lobbyist, PTWA

My Experience at the 2008 APTA House of Delegates

Imagine an enormous room filled with more than 400 physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and students from around the nation. As you walk into this room for the first time, you can hear the music blaring, papers rustling, loud chatter, and ongoing debate, as the giant clock projected on the screen counts down and everyone scurries to take their seat. The stage is set for the APTA House of Delegates, the governing body of our profession. Over the next few days, the speaker of the house, with his witty humor, will direct over 200 voting members, selected by their state associations, along the legislative path. On this floor, they will debate, amend, postpone, withdraw, and refer on several motions brought forth by different components of APTA, until a vote is called and affirmed with either, a “Yay” or “Nay”.

 I remember the very moment I walked into the room for the first time; I was speechless. I thought to myself, WOW! This is where it all takes place, where leaders make the decisions as to the direction of our profession.  At this moment, my understanding of the purpose of APTA became very clear. I felt proud to be a member. I realized that APTA brings unity to our profession and without it we would not thrive and flourish as a whole.  This organization is well run by the top leaders in our profession who are dedicated to the advancement of all of our interests. So, for all of you who wonder where your dues money goes and why you pay so much to belong to one organization, I can assure you, it is all worth it. I have made it my duty and obligation as a future physical therapist to support my profession by being a member for life. I challenge you to do so as well.

Sincerely,

Brett Neilson

PTWA Student Liaison