title: Clinician perception of the impact of deployed physical therapists as physician extenders in a combat environment.
abstract: Physical therapists (PTs) serve as physician extenders performing direct access evaluations for musculoskeletal conditions. The previous war-time mission of PTs was limited to level III medical care. Recently PTs began providing care at levels I/II with brigade combat teams (BCTs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine the sentiment of battlefield providers at levels I/II regarding the operational impact of PTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were provided to BCT medical providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 107 responses (response rate of 51%). According to the responses, PTs made a significant impact on overall mission accomplishment (97%) and patient prognosis (83%) and were considered local experts in musculoskeletal pathology (92%), including the ordering of radiographs (79%). Their presence was thought to significantly decrease medical evacuations within theater (68%) and out of theater (73%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a positive sentiment toward PTs in the BCT, suggesting they are highly valued. Future studies need to clarify further operational, medical, and fiscal implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine-Physical Therapy, Madigan Army Medical Center, Bldg. 9040, Fitzimmons Drive, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Rhon
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Deydre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Teyhen
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goffar
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000458:organization & administration; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012938:Social Perception; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce; D014947:Wounds and Injuries