Physical Therapists Are Routinely Performing the Requisite Skills to Directly Refer for Musculoskeletal Imaging: An Observational Study

Authors

Lance M. Mabry, High Point University
Richard Severin, University of Illinois at Chicago
Angela S. Gisselman, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Michael D. Ross, Daemen University
Todd E. Davenport, University of the PacificFollow
Brian A. Young, Baylor University
Aaron P. Keil, University of Illinois at Chicago
Don L. Goss, High Point University

ORCiD

Todd E. Davenport: 0000-0001-5772-7727

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy

ISSN

1066-9817

Volume

30

Issue

5

DOI

10.1080/10669817.2022.2106729

First Page

261

Last Page

272

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

Objectives: To explore if physical therapists are practicing skills necessary to refer patients for musculoskeletal imaging. Methods: An expert panel established a list of nine requisite skills to refer for musculoskeletal imaging. A blinded expert panel validated the list using a 5-point Likert scale. The skills list was examined via an electronic survey distributed to United States physical therapists. Results: 4,796 respondents were included. Each of the nine skills were routinely performed by a majority of the respondents (range: 54.52–94.72%). Respondents routinely performed 6.95 (± 0.06) skills, with 67.41% routinely performing seven or more skills. Doctors of physical therapy routinely performed more imaging skills (7.15 ± 0.06) compared to their masters- (6.44 ± 0.19) and bachelors-trained (5.95 ± 0.21) counterparts (p < 0.001). Residency/fellowship-trained physical therapists were more likely to routinely perform more imaging skills (7.60 ± 0.11 vs. 6.79 ± 0.07, p < 0.001). Imaging skill performance was greater among board-certified physical therapists (7.39 ± 0.09 vs. 6.71 ± 0.08, p < 0.001) and APTA members (7.06 ± 0.07 vs. 6.65 ± 0.12, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Physical therapists are routinely practicing the requisite imaging skills to directly refer to a radiologist for musculoskeletal imaging.

Recommended Citation

Mabry, L. M., Severin, R., Gisselman, A. S., Ross, M. D., Davenport, T. E., Young, B. A., Keil, A. P., & Goss, D. L. (2022). Physical Therapists Are Routinely Performing the Requisite Skills to Directly Refer for Musculoskeletal Imaging: An Observational Study. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 30(5), 261–272. DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2022.2106729
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/phs-facarticles/669