Assistant Professor Preventive and Community Dentistry Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA 92354
On the Bylaw Amendment for Assistants
To the Editor: As a registered physical therapist assistant of three years standing, and as a member of the APTA, I am greatly disturbed concerning the Montana Chapter's attitude and bylaws amend ment proposal, i.e., proposal #7 for 1975 APTA bylaws amendments. Deleting all refer ences to the assistant in the bylaws and, therefore, removing us from membership does not seem consistent with Montana's rationale. My views on Montana's rationale are as follows: l."New positions for physical therapists are relatively nonexistent . . . . "
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2. "Any physical therapy program which is less than a four-year degree course is degrading to the profession . . . . " Supportive personnel are a necessity in all profes sions, and most professions attempt to obtain high standards in all their subspecialities. The dental assistant, x-ray technician, physicians' assistant, and many others are supportive staff thoughtfully conceived to increase quality patient care, to relieve some duties of their superiors, and to help relieve some of the stress of ever-increasing medical care expense. Each reason is enough to support the physical therapist assistant.
3. "Any physical therapy program which is less than a four-year degree course is . . . substan dard in terms of education, clinical training, and quality patient care." We are not discussing a physical therapist program. The two-year associate degree course is meant to train assistants, and minimal requirements have been defined both by state governments and by our own Association. I hope assistants, and therapists, will always strive to obtain top education in their respective areas.
4. ". . . in some states qualifying them for recognition and licensure as a physical therapist." I know of no state in which assistants are qualified as therapists. Most state governments rely a great deal on the APTA and its state chapters. Only gross negligence and ignorance in a state could allow this to happen.
5. "The APTA's standards should not be com promised." I ask in no way for a compromise of anyone's standards. I feel no professional standards need be questioned if the APTA and its followers conduct proper education and all become aware of the true capabilities and limitations of the assistant.
6. "The guidelines ... are too liberal with re gards to supervision, direction, and guid ance." Abuse is what I think Montana means here. Is it not true that in most professions abuse is controlled by concerned individuals educated to the needs of the medium? Do we outlaw the automobile because it has the ability to speed?
The assistant remains a relatively new being. Questioning and investigating capabilities and limitations serve to create a healthy environ ment out of which we all can grow. My sincere desire is to grow with an association that is growing. I ask APTA members' support and encouragement. Let's grow together. W. DIXON REAVES, RPTA 1005 Thomas Road Spartanburg, SC 29302
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/55/6/668/4567873 by University of Texas at Dallas user on 08 February 2019
care. Unfortunately, there has been only a little evidence of this inclination. Health care professionals who accept chiro practic at face value are extremely naive. Chiropractic's sordid past indicates that it does not merit the kind of trust we are ordinarily willing to extend to other disciplines. Because of this, it is the responsibility of physical therapists to help the rest of the scientific community monitor what is happening in chiropractic treatment rooms for the protection of the public. WILLIAM T. JARVIS, Ph.D.
On the Bylaw Amendment for Assistants
To the Editor: As a registered physical therapist assistant of three years standing, and as a member of the APTA, I am greatly disturbed concerning the Montana Chapter's attitude and bylaws amend ment proposal, i.e., proposal #7 for 1975 APTA bylaws amendments. Deleting all refer ences to the assistant in the bylaws and, therefore, removing us from membership does not seem consistent with Montana's rationale. My views on Montana's rationale are as follows: l."New positions for physical therapists are relatively nonexistent . . . . "
MED LABS ELECTRONIC MUSCLE STIMULATORS • One Hand Operation • Reliable, Safe, Solid Slate Circuitry • Battery Powered • I Year Warranty • Free 30 Day Evaluation for M.D.s & R.P.T.s • Galvanic: 0-15 milltamps • Faradic: 0-25 mllllamps peak, 80 pulses/second EMS-I (Galvanic Only) $30.00 F.O.B. Goleta EMS-2 (Galvanic & Faradic) $38.00 F.O.B. Goleta
7036 Madera Drive Goleta, California 93017
668
South Carolina has immediate openings in both acute care and extended care facilities.
2. "Any physical therapy program which is less than a four-year degree course is degrading to the profession . . . . " Supportive personnel are a necessity in all profes sions, and most professions attempt to obtain high standards in all their subspecialities. The dental assistant, x-ray technician, physicians' assistant, and many others are supportive staff thoughtfully conceived to increase quality patient care, to relieve some duties of their superiors, and to help relieve some of the stress of ever-increasing medical care expense. Each reason is enough to support the physical therapist assistant.
3. "Any physical therapy program which is less than a four-year degree course is . . . substan dard in terms of education, clinical training, and quality patient care." We are not discussing a physical therapist program. The two-year associate degree course is meant to train assistants, and minimal requirements have been defined both by state governments and by our own Association. I hope assistants, and therapists, will always strive to obtain top education in their respective areas.
4. ". . . in some states qualifying them for recognition and licensure as a physical therapist." I know of no state in which assistants are qualified as therapists. Most state governments rely a great deal on the APTA and its state chapters. Only gross negligence and ignorance in a state could allow this to happen.
5. "The APTA's standards should not be com promised." I ask in no way for a compromise of anyone's standards. I feel no professional standards need be questioned if the APTA and its followers conduct proper education and all become aware of the true capabilities and limitations of the assistant.
6. "The guidelines ... are too liberal with re gards to supervision, direction, and guid ance." Abuse is what I think Montana means here. Is it not true that in most professions abuse is controlled by concerned individuals educated to the needs of the medium? Do we outlaw the automobile because it has the ability to speed?
The assistant remains a relatively new being. Questioning and investigating capabilities and limitations serve to create a healthy environ ment out of which we all can grow. My sincere desire is to grow with an association that is growing. I ask APTA members' support and encouragement. Let's grow together. W. DIXON REAVES, RPTA 1005 Thomas Road Spartanburg, SC 29302
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/55/6/668/4567873 by University of Texas at Dallas user on 08 February 2019
care. Unfortunately, there has been only a little evidence of this inclination. Health care professionals who accept chiro practic at face value are extremely naive. Chiropractic's sordid past indicates that it does not merit the kind of trust we are ordinarily willing to extend to other disciplines. Because of this, it is the responsibility of physical therapists to help the rest of the scientific community monitor what is happening in chiropractic treatment rooms for the protection of the public. WILLIAM T. JARVIS, Ph.D.
