Why Direct Access
Unrestricted direct access to physical therapy means removing barriers to patients’ rights to healthcare services. This would mean removing state law for a referral from a physician to be treated by a physical therapist.
These barriers cause delays in receiving care and have been shown to lead to decreased functional outcomes, higher healthcare costs, and decreased patient satisfaction with their healthcare experience.
Patients' Rights
An individual should have the right to choose what type of treatment they receive and by whom. Unrestricted direct access will increase the control an individual has with their treatment choices regarding their injuries.
Less Cost
Studies have shown receiving physical therapy first for common injuries decreases the cost of healthcare for the individual and healthcare system. A trained physical therapist can help a patient avoid unnecessary surgeries, imaging (X-ray, MRI, etc.), pharmacological intervention (medication, injections, etc.), and visits to a medical doctor when often times they will be referred to a physical therapist anyway.
Time Efficient
The ability to see a physical therapist without a referral will decrease the number of appointments a person has to make with a variety of medical professionals. This will decrease the number of hours or days a person must take to receive care for their injury. There are many individuals that do not have the job or life flexibility to navigate these hurdles to receiving care.
Faster Improvement
If a patient has muscle, bone, tendon, or ligament pain, early treatment from a physical therapist has been shown to improve patient function and pain more quickly. Early treatment has also been shown to decrease injuries from becoming recurrent or chronic.