title: EDs find physical therapists are an underused asset for musculoskeletal injuries, patient education.
abstract: Some EDs are finding that the unique skill sets offered by physical therapists (PT) can be an asset to emergency care while also improving the patient experience. Experts say PTs are particularly valuable in the management of musculoskeletal pain and injuries, but they are also being used for wound care, gait training, and balance assessment. ED administrators say consistent, daily coverage is essential to making a PT program successful; otherwise, ED clinicians will neglect to use their services. PTs need to be comfortable with proactively marketing their skills to other ED clinicians who may not be used to having access to this resource. Experts say PT services in the ED can be reimbursed at a level that is consistent with reimbursement in other inpatient and outpatient settings.
mesh_terms: D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce