1. What is the decision or change (e.g., clinical topic, practice guideline, system design, delivery of care) you are facing or struggling with where a summary of the evidence would be helpful?

What benefit does the provision of a Physical Therapy Annual Evaluation provide to older adults in reducing hospitalizations, falls, chronic disease complications, substance abuse, etc. (https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/leadership-and-governance/policies/annual-visit)

2. Why are you struggling with this issue?

It would make sense that if a Physical Therapist is providing a comprehensive movement and health evaluation on an annual basis with recommendations for a personalized health promotion plan, for older adults at risk, BEFORE any negative consequences occur, other health care providers and reimbursors would promote this, however, we are not seeing the support. Why not? Maybe because there is not enough research to support the benefits yet?

3. What do you want to see changed? How will you know that your issue is improving or has been addressed?

Inclusion and reimbursement of a Physical Therapy Annual Evaluation for all older adults, before they visit their medical provider, so that the recommendation and tea approach may be reinforced, providing a reduction in overall health care costs, and and increase in quality of life for older adults across all diversities

4. When do you need the evidence report?

Sunday, 06/30/2024

5. What will you do with the evidence report?

Since there is not a lot of evidence pro or con for this initiative, as this is a newer provision from Physical Therapy practice, it would be beneficial to compare current practice and healthcare costs to practice and healthcare costs in an environment that embraces this team approach; this will help providers, clients, and APTA to lobby for the PT Annual Eval as important as a yearly physical for older adult longevity of health and wellness.

Optional Information About You

What is your role or perspective? Physical Therapist

May we contact you if we have questions about your nomination? Yes