Senin, 08 September 2008

Informed Physical Therapists Diagnose using the ICF

Informed physical therapists can make a break with 'old school' models and advance the discussion of physical therapy diagnosis by taking a look at these new APTA resources for the new International Classification of Functioning.

'Old School' models, many of which I have used, include most of the mechanistic models we learned in PT school and at 'Hilton University' (some of you may have gone to 'Marriott U' or 'Holiday Inn U').

To name a few...

NDT
PNF
McKenzie
Maitland
Mulligan
Paris
The Facet Joint
The Disc (...is a jelly doughnut)
Sacroiliac joint
McConnell taping

Now, with ICF, you can abandon models and just treat the patient.

This new paradigm (new to me since 2001) allows the physical therapist to measure characteristics of the patient that may impact function and apply treatments without regard to the mechanism.

Ah, freedom.

Freedom from justifying my treatments to other PTs, PTA's, patients or payers. If I get my patient better - who cares how I did it or what technique I used?

The power in the ICF model is that I can find freedom while a different PT or PTA can find meaning in a different way.

The ICF is a framework - not a blueprint.

I practice orthopedic PT but the ICF is equally appropriate for neuro PTs.

Use my templates and watch my videos to see how I use the ICF to inform PT orthopedic decision-making.