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APTA-Virginia members,
I hope this message finds you and your families all happy, safe and working in a more normal capacity. This pandemic has had a major impact on every facet of physical therapy. There have been many who have lost jobs or income, as well as PTs and PTAs who have had to work in new or unusual roles to provide for safe patient care. Patients have not been able to reach physical therapists and PT assistants in the same way as they have traditionally. Telehealth has gained some traction, and telehealth platforms have proliferated. Third-party payers have made accommodations to allow patient to better access care at lower costs. There is now a diagnosis of Post-COVID syndrome. PT providers are working crazy hours to allow for adequate social distancing. Members are struggling to get enrolled in type 1 CEUs. These are all ways that COVID-19 has impacted our clinical practices. COVID has also impacted our organization. Our membership has dipped a little as people try to make ends meet. The APTA has created a 3-month grace period on membership dues in order to assist with this process. Since dues revenue is our primary source of income, we are having to plan differently for the coming year. We continue to strive to provide great benefits to our members beyond the comradery that comes with being a member of APTA-Virginia. Please continue to encourage your colleagues to join or remain part of the organization. As Dr. Sharon Dunn likes to say: “We are better together.”
All the best,
Josh
Joshua A. Bailey, PT, DPT
By Wil Kolb $2.20 would have bought you a filet mignon at a steakhouse in New York City (NYC) around 1921. Anyone know why that date was important? Hint: Our yearly dues were only $2 when the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association was founded in 1921 at Keens Chophouse in NYC, according to the APTA centennial site at https://centennial.apta.org/centennial-timeline/. As we look forward to a bright future in physical therapy and our centennial, I would like to take a moment to look back and then forward for APTA VA.
In the last few months, both the APTA and APTA Virginia have issued statements regarding commitments to diversity and inclusion in the field of physical therapy. In the Spring of 2018, the APTA Virginia Board of Directors formed the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, chaired by Victor Washington. In March 2019, strategies were set for achieving more diversity and better inclusion within the Chapter, and in March 2020, those strategies were further refined. If you have any questions about Diversity and Inclusion or would like to help Dr. Washington and his committee with their efforts, please send an email to the chapter office at vpta@vpta.org.
APTA Virginia relies on the time and efforts of its devoted volunteers to perform key functions and to work toward the mission: “to advance excellence, quality, and accessibility of physical therapy through advocacy, education, research, and services for its members and consumers.” Volunteers serve to support the organization locally through service to their chapters, or through support to the organization as a whole, via committees or special interest groups.
Friday, Nov. 6
Saturday, Nov. 7
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm 2 or 3 live poster presentations via Facebook Live
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Student Meeting via Zoom
The APTA Virginia Research Committee is currently accepting abstracts for consideration for virtual platform or e-poster presentation during the Fall Summit, November 7, 2020. The deadline to submit is September 11, 2020.
A new video from the PAC provides an update on APTA Virginia's efforts toward securing unfettered Direct Access.
Bring your own cupcake and candle to the membership meeting so we can celebrate APTA's 100 years, together! We'll wish APTA a happy birthday during the virtual membership meeting and share the recorded celebration with APTA!
Saturday, November 7, 2020
1:45 pm - 3:45 pm
We hope to see you there!!
APTA Virgina is offering a free pre-recorded webinar about the proposed fee schedule, the association's legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts to fight the 9% cut, and how you can get involved.
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American Physical Therapy Association
The June 2020 Briefing Memo discusses a number of topics important to physical therapists, including sequestration and telehealth.
Members of the APTA Virginia Payer and Practice Relations Committee answer your questions on a number of important topics, including COVID-19, how long to maintain medical records and performing diagnostic ultrasound.
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American Physical Therapy Association
The APTA provides a history of the fee schedule and details what's being done to oppose the 9% payment cut directed at physical therapy.
American Physical Therapy Association
An updated report from APTA shows some improvement regarding employment, patient visits, but progress has been slow.
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