Industry Insider is a continuing department that asks leading manufacturers to comment on industry trends. This month, Margot Miller, PT, general manager at Workwell's Isernhagen Work Systems, Duluth, Minn, discusses the emerging trends in industrial rehabilitation.

PTP: How has the role of PTs evolved in industrial rehabilitation?

Miller: Physical therapists are seeing expanding opportunities in the area of industrial rehabilitation. This is particularly true for therapists who work directly with employers. Employers have a strong interest in improving their company’s overall profit margin. Therapists who can assist in reducing workplace injuries, decreasing lost work days, and decreasing workers’ compensation costs through job analysis ergonomics, prework screening, and functional capacity evaluation services, are valuable to employers.

PTP: How can PTs stay abreast of industrial-rehabilitation issues?

Miller: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a wealth of information on its Web site, www.osha.gov. Therapists need to understand what makes a service recordable versus nonrecordable. Therapists need an understanding of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Uniform Selection Guidelines. Therapists also need to be aware of new cases that arise, such as the Dial Corp case on pre-employment and discrimination.

PTP: How can PTs prepare for work in industrial rehabilitation?

Miller: Therapists who want to work in the specialty area of  industrial rehabilitation must gain expertise through a variety of additional coursework and training. Some professional organizations, such the American Physical Therapy Association’s Occupational Health Special Interest Group, Human Factors Society, and OSHA, provide relevant coursework. In addition, a variety of companies offer training opportunities.

PTP: What current trends do you notice in industrial rehabilitation?

Miller: Current trends in industrial rehabilitation are for more services to be provided on-site. Therapists often have space on-site so that treatment can be provided without workers leaving the workplace. Many therapists have designated hours per day they will simply walk the work floor to interact directly with workers; coaching, educating, adjusting workstations, and problem-solving. Therapists are gradually becoming a critical part of the employer’s team.