At first glance, physical therapy and primary care might seem like entirely separate fields. Primary care providers (PCPs) refer patients with sports injuries or joint pain to a physical therapist, who takes over from there.
However, the relationship between the two fields is more complex than that. As a result, navigating the role of physical therapy in primary care becomes crucial.
What PCPs Should Know About Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is becoming more common in primary care — perhaps because PCPs are often the first point of contact for patients. However, some doctors may not be aware of PT’s role in primary and preventive health, making it challenging to ensure people receive appropriate care.
To develop health plans, prescribe medications or refer a patient to PT, doctors should have a general knowledge of sports medicine. With that in mind, here’s an overview of what you need to know about physical therapy in primary care:
Pain Management
Whether a patient has chronic pain or an acute injury, they may need pain management. In the primary care setting, physicians can work with patients to make lifestyle modifications that could ease the pain. Additionally, PCPs can prescribe medications as they see fit.
Primary care doctors also play an essential role in post-surgical pain management. For example, if an athlete has knee surgery, they may go to physical therapy, but they’ll also need to see their family doctor. In that case, you can monitor their rehabilitation and overall well-being.
Outside of sports, other people who may need PT are those with nerve, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries or stroke. Again, you can take a proactive approach to these patients’ well-being by monitoring their post-surgical rehab.
Personalized Care Plans
Personalized care plans are becoming increasingly vital to high-quality healthcare and patient satisfaction. A physical therapy background allows you to tailor plans to active lifestyles, helping prevent injuries or maximize nutrition.
When creating care plans, PCPs can consider the patient’s overall health, athletic goals and activity levels. For instance, a runner’s plan could include educating them on form and footwear.
PCPs can also create health management plans for chronic conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, with the patient’s lifestyle in mind. Additionally, establishing long-term relationships with active patients allows you to make adjustments as their goals and lifestyles change.
Referrals
As a PCP, it’s your job to know when to make the referral. In some cases, patients may outright ask about physical therapy, but often, you’ll need to make those decisions. Basic PT knowledge helps you quickly determine if the patient’s concerns warrant a referral.
Why PT Basics Matter in Primary Care
Given that physical therapy is a separate entity, it can be easy to wonder why it matters to primary care doctors. However, maintaining a basic understanding of the field offers many benefits, including:
Patient Benefits
If you understand PT, you can help make rehabilitation more accessible. For those who may be wary of the cost or don’t realize that they could access this service, PCPs are often a vital lifeline.
Additionally, recent studies have shown that collaborating with physical therapists can improve chronic disease management, patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Provider Benefits
Many providers with a background in or robust collaboration with PTs have also reported benefits. For example, studies have found that integrating physical therapy into primary care can:
- Improve workflow optimization
- Reduce provider burnout
- Lower healthcare costs
- Increase patient engagement
- Expand access to and navigation of care
Providers may also find that working alongside PT specialists helps them learn more about best practices in the field.
How Can I Learn More About Physical Therapy?
If you’re ready to find out more about the role of PT in primary care, continuing medical education (CME) can help. With conferences focused on therapeutic modalities and various pain types, CME is beneficial for expanding your knowledge base.
Browse our upcoming in-person and online seminars, including sports medicine and orthopedics sessions, to get started.