Geriatric referral patterns for physical therapy: a descriptive analysis

• Published in: Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001) 2005, Vol.28 (1), p.20-27
• Main Authors: Miller, Ellen Winchell, Ross, Kyle, Grant, Shawn, Musenbrock, Daniel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Male; Physical Therapy Specialty - statistics & numerical data; Pilot Projects; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data; Referral and Consultation - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 1539-8412; 2152-0895
• DOI: 10.1519/00139143-200504000-00004

The purposes of this study were to: (1) describe older adults being seen for physical therapy, (2) identify the most prevalent physician orders and physical therapy interventions, and (3) compare these results across US regions. A written questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1600 therapists. Therapists completed information for up to 10 patients including classification of diagnosis according to the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Descriptive analyses were performed. 118 therapists provided information on 839 patients. More of the patients were women (65%) than men (35%); their average age was 76.4 years. Most patients were seen in the outpatient setting (56%) and over 70% were classified into one of the musculoskeletal diagnostic categories. "Evaluate and treat" was present in 66.2% of the physician orders. The 6 most frequently performed interventions were in the therapeutic exercise category. Many physical therapists, even those who may not consider themselves geriatric physical therapists, are seeing older adults in a variety of settings. Knowledge about the diverse needs of older adults, therefore, is important for clinicians and students to meet the rising demand for quality physical therapy for this population.