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Physical Therapy Commons

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Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Vision 2020

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physical Therapy

Development Of A Statement On Autonomous Practice: Practice Committee, Section On Geriatrics, Jason Hardage, Stacey Zeigler, Jennifer Blackwood, Tamara Gravano, Greg Hartley, Jill Heitzman, Joe Libera, Ken Miller Apr 2012

Development Of A Statement On Autonomous Practice: Practice Committee, Section On Geriatrics, Jason Hardage, Stacey Zeigler, Jennifer Blackwood, Tamara Gravano, Greg Hartley, Jill Heitzman, Joe Libera, Ken Miller

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Vision 2020 is the official vision statement of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Drafted by the APTA House of Delegates in 2000, this statement contains 6 elements: autonomous physical therapist practice, direct access, Doctor of Physical Therapy and lifelong education, evidence-based practice, practitioner of choice, and professionalism. Autonomous practice has been operationally defined by the APTA primarily through its characteristics: “Physical therapists accept the responsibility to practice autonomously and collaboratively in all practice environments to provide best practice to the patient/client. Autonomous physical therapist practice is characterized by independent, self-determined, professional judgment and action.” The Section on Geriatrics has …


Understanding Autonomous Practice, Tamara Gravano, Greg Hartley, Heather Mattingly, Joseph Libera, Sabrina Camilo, Jason Hardage Mar 2010

Understanding Autonomous Practice, Tamara Gravano, Greg Hartley, Heather Mattingly, Joseph Libera, Sabrina Camilo, Jason Hardage

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

What is autonomous practice? As one of the elements of Vision 2020, au­tonomous practice is one whose mean­ing may not always be readily under­stood. The confusion can stem from the meaning of autonomy, which is sometimes misinterpreted to mean that the physical therapist (PT) practices in a vacuum, without coordinating and com­municating with other health care pro­viders. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many PTs might be surprised to learn that they already prac­tice autonomously.