The Role of Physical Therapists in Managing Low Back Pain: A Collaborative Approach

by Arvie Vitente, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, GCS, FNAP • Beth Davis, PT, DPT, MBA, FNAP • Sara North PT, DPT, PhD, M.Ed., FNAP • Margaret Kathryn Panasci, PT, DPT, CWS

Low back pain (LBP) remains one of the most prevalent and costly musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. In celebration of World Physiotherapy Day 2024, which focuses on the theme of LBP, it’s crucial to recognize the pivotal role physical therapists play in addressing this growing epidemic. As healthcare professionals, physical therapists (PTs) have an opportunity to collaborate across disciplines in order to improve the lives of individuals affected by LBP, reduce their societal burden, and impact patient outcomes.

A Message from the NAP Vice President of Professional Development
by A. Lynn Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Honors, FASHA, BCS-CL, FNAP

Dear Members and Colleagues,

I hope this newsletter update finds you enjoying summer with fun ways to stay cool in this heat. I am happy to bring you the latest developments from the NAP Professional Development Committee. We are committed to fostering a dynamic community of interprofessional learning as each of our three subcommittees focus on their goals for the coming year. The goals for the Professional Development Committee for the 2024-2025 program year are focused on integrating the Strategic Interprofessional Initiative into our subcommittee work and include the following:

Optometry Academy News

by Marc Taub, OD, MS, FAAO, FCOVD, FNAP

According to the American Optometric Association, more than 16 million Americans suffer undiagnosed or untreated vision impairments; a comprehensive eye exam could have detected and allowed for treatment for so many of these individuals. Doctors of Optometry (e.g., O.D.s/optometrists/optometric physicians) are the frontline of eye and vision care and serve as America’s primary eye health care providers. Not only do optometrists prescribe glasses and contacts lenses, but they examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, they play a major role in an individual’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases, and diagnosing, treating and managing ocular manifestations of those diseases.¹ In many states, optometrists can perform minor surgical and laser procedures.

Pharmacy Academy Newsletter

by Heather B. Congdon, PharmD, CDE, FNAP

In today’s collaborative, patient-centered health care environment, studies have demonstrated that team-based care improves patient-related clinical outcomes, especially for patients with chronic medical conditions and historically inequitable access to health care. As such, healthcare practitioners need to have the knowledge and skills to function capably in interprofessional teams. An international movement to offer interprofessional education (IPE) to health professions students has taken hold in response to this workforce need for collaborative practice. Student participation in IPE activities for health professions disciplines is paramount to preparing them for team-based care. 

Advocate to Advance Interprofessional Healthcare in 2024!!

To welcome Spring 2024, your Public Policy Committee invites all NAP members to participate in our Virtual Hill Day on Wednesday, May 15^th.  Your immediate registration is needed to have ample time to schedule virtual visits with your legislative offices. Interprofessional teams will be provided with NAP an Issue Brief/Fact Sheet, References, Resources and Talking Points. As part of the registration process, you have access to and are asked to complete the NAP advocacy education and tutorial for the online platform we use to support our Virtual Hill Day activity. Please register today to join us for this very special opportunity!!

Building on the NAP history and founding mission to advance healthcare, it is a privilege to continuously work with NAP Public Policy Committee members to establish an annual public policy agenda, to increase reference and advocacy materials and to refresh resources in support of public policy efforts on behalf of the National Academies of Practice. In addition to the above-mentioned participation in the Virtual Hill Day, you will soon be asked to complete the annual survey to determine the public policy agenda and you are invited to join the Public Policy Committee. Throughout the year, members of the Public Policy Committee work diligently to provide NAP members with the most accurate information related to designated public policy topics. Sincere appreciation goes to Leigh Ann Frick and Deb Swain who have been working to prepare the resources to be used during this year’s Hill Visit event.

Athletic Trainers as Part of the Interprofessional Concussion Management Team

March is National Athletic Training Month, and the Athletic Training Academy is excited to share information about our role as part of an interprofessional concussion management team. While athletic trainers do not work solely with athletes, here we will highlight our role in the management of sport-related concussion. In accordance with the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, we will discuss our role using the 12 ‘R’s of sport-related concussion.

Recognize: Athletic trainers (ATs) are frequently the first healthcare provider to identify a patient suffering from a sport-related concussion (SRC). We are often on the field or court with the patient when the injury occurs. The pre-existing relationships ATs have with their patients facilitate trust and allow us to better evaluate whether there are changes in mood or behavior. Athletic trainers recognize SRCs and work with other healthcare providers to manage the patient’s recovery.

Examples of the Role of Social Workers on Medical Specialty Interprofessional Teams

by A. Suzanne Boyd, PhD, MSW, ACSW, FNAP

During the last 20 years there has been an increase in the number of social work professionals who are members of interprofessional teams in a variety of settings. Most notably social workers are interprofessional team members in health care settings both public health and primary health care settings (Tadic, Ashcroft, Brown, & Dahrouge, 2020). Social workers in the subspecialty integrated behavioral health are well-known and deliver interventions such as clinical therapy services, conduct biopsychosocial assessments, and resource identification. The role of social workers on interprofessional teams at large research medical centers or specialty medical centers has received less attention. They often specialize in patient needs related to a medical specialty area.

Academy News: Podiatric Medicine

by Bob Smith, Podiatric Medicine Academy Chair

I can only imagine that all members of the National Academies of Practice are embracing 2024 of a year forecasting exciting and new opportunities either academically or within our practices arriving at our doorsteps. I reflect on this will be my fifth year as Podiatry Academy Chair and the responsibilities that role means. My fellow, professional, and emeritus members have given me a great privilege to voice their opinions and desires for the future of our small academy.  I am deeply grateful for their continued membership and participation as they see fit.  It is with great sadness that our academy lost one of our leaders who at one time was an emeritus member in December 2023.  Our ranks did grow by one member which delighted our entire academy.   

More Than Just Animal Doctors: Veterinarians in the Healthcare Mosaic

by Michael J. Blackwell, DVM, MPH

Healthcare today often resembles a patchwork—fractured and compartmentalized, each piece addressing a separate concern. Yet health, human or animal, is not a collection of isolated issues. It is a complex, interconnected web, which is why interprofessional collaboration is crucial.

Physical Therapy’s Commitment to Interprofessional Collaborative Care

The physical therapy profession is dedicated to collaborative practice for improved patient outcomes and the advancement of population health.  With our broad scope of practice, physical therapists collaborate with a variety of health professionals to provide comprehensive care across many practice settings. 

Physical therapists collaborate with all professions represented in NAP.  Please read the vignettes below that highlight some of many collaborative care experiences occurring in the physical therapy profession.

A Message from the NAP President
by Andrea Pfeifle, EdD, PT, FNAP

The National Academies of Practice's Vision is to become the alliance of professionals collaborating to transform health and well-being. Our mission is to advance interprofessional education, scholarship, research, practice, and public policy, by:

• Educating and informing our members and others;
• Facilitating collaborative scholarship and research opportunities;
• Recruiting, engaging, retaining, and mentoring our network of members; and
• Advocating the value of interprofessional practice and improving healthcare and policy for all.

The central tenets of our work together are grounded in the core values of collaboration, patient-centeredness, inclusivity, and interconnectedness.  

Transforming Reflections
Rick Weisbarth, OD, FAAO, FNAP

Spring is right around the corner and the National Academies of Practice Annual Meeting and Forum is only a little over a week away. 2023 is off to a great start as we continue our work together to Transform Interprofessional Care.

This is my last column as NAP President, and I want to thank everyone for the fantastic collaboration and interconnectedness that have been displayed over the last two years. We should all be proud of our many accomplishments.

Looking Back Moves Us Forward: The Pioneer of Advocacy 

Since NAP seeks to improve healthcare and policy for all, it might be worthwhile to look into history to learn more about how to accomplish this goal.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Task Force