Chapter 3 - PTA

Question 1

Origin and History of PTA

Answer 1

Increased need for PT services = Polio and WWII

Increased access to PT service = Hill-Burton Act of 1946 and Medicare and Medicaid legislation in 1965

1967 = APTA HOD adopted policy statement “training and utilization of the PTA” and established need for 2-year associate’s degree program

Question 2

Model of Education Programs:
One-plus-one programs
Integrated 2-year programs
Part-time program
Bridging programs

Answer 2

One-plus-one program = foundation courses followed by technical courses

Integrated 2-year programs = foundation and technical courses integrated throughout the curriculum

Part-time programs = classes scheduled in evenings or weekend to allow students to continue to work

Bridging program = students move from the PTA to PT program

Question 3

PTA in patient/client management model

Answer 3

PTA clinical role lies within the intervention section

Question 4

Levels of Supervision:
General
Direct
Direct personal

Answer 4

General supervision = PT not required to be (telecommunications meet this requirement)
Direct supervision = PT physically present and immediately available for direction and supervision (telecommunications not meet their requirement)
Direct personal supervision = PT physically present and immediately available for direction and supervisions; direction and supervision continuous throughout the time the tasks are performed (telecommunications not meet this requirement)

Question 5

Physical Therapy Aide

Answer 5

Unlicensed supper personnel
Training is on the job
Continuous, on-site supervision of the PT or PTA
Tasks must not require clinical decision making

Question 6

APTA Membership and Representation

Answer 6

Affiliate member category since 1973
Granted 1/2 vote at component (chapter/section) level and in the HOD
1992 = HOD permitted PTAs to hold office at the component level, excluding position that succeed to presidency
1998 = voting privileges were removed = changes resulted in the loss of PTA members
2005 = RBNA replaced with PTA Causes; five members of cause serve as HOD, make and debate motions but cannot vote.
2015 = HOD voted to provide full vote for PTA at the component level