The focus on the use of research for evidence-based practice is gaining momentum in the physical-therapy profession. With physical therapy facilities of all sizes seeking relevant clinical data to support treatment protocols, and the collaboration of PTs across specialties and professional levels to design standards for care, there is increasing interest in the collection, analysis, and implementation of clinical research in therapy programs for patients. While PTs are placing utmost importance in research evidence of physical-therapy treatments, they are neglecting an important issue: There is little research data—relative to other health care professionals—about PTs themselves.

Kathleen Rockefeller, PT, MPH, MS, ScD, who we interviewed for our article on safe patient transfers (see page 36), points out that PTs are categorized in the “other health care professions” field in some of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data regarding workplace injuries among health care workers. Isn’t this ironic?

PTs are becoming the preferred health care provider in the workplace-injury arena. More and more employers are using PTs to evaluate job requirements and employee capabilities to avoid the risk of injuries on the job. PTs also play a vital role in the rehabilitation of workers’ compensation patients, helping them return to work as quickly as possible. Apparently, however, there is no unique identification for PTs regarding their own on-the-job risks while treating patients. For PTs to be clumped under a general umbrella category, such as “other health care professions,” is a disservice.

While PTs push forward in acquiring relevant research for evidence-based patient care, do not forget to collect and analyze data about yourselves. What are your working conditions? How many of you experience work-related injuries while performing specific tasks, such as patient or equipment handling? Accurate and systematic data can be used to bring awareness about your profession’s needs, especially when it comes to challenging lawmakers about reimbursement, direct access, health care benefits, and professional recognition as a doctoring field.      

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers a great service called Hooked on Evidence, an online grassroots effort to create a database of current research evidence on the effectiveness of physical-therapy interventions. Clinicians who previously did not have easy access to research material now have a user-friendly tool to find studies that complement evidence-based treatments within their clinics.

 Since government agencies and independent research firms have not separated PTs into their own individual category, it is up to you to start collecting data about yourselves. Perhaps there should be a separate database for the collection of research and data about PTs, spearheaded by the profession itself, just like Hooked on Evidence. Any data that you collect may be useful to, or supported by, another facility in your community. PT managers should create record-keeping methods within their clinics. (Albeit, these should not be so arduous that the staff PTs do not want to update it regularly.)

As you read this issue, members of the APTA will be converging in Orlando, Fla, for the 2006 National Conference. I’ll keep you posted on the latest clinical research presented by PTs, as well as any groundbreaking research on PTs and the profession as a whole.