410: Healthcare Transformation Education: Direct Access in Texas

F. Scott Feil chats with Mike Connors, Mark Milligan, & Dana Tew regarding the upcoming opportunity for the state of Texas to have Direct Access passed along with how PTs in Texas can get involved and contribute to making this a reality.

Texas Physical Therapy Association Website: https://www.tpta.org/ 

TPTA Capital Area District Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CapitalAreaDistrictTPTA/ 

APTA Direct Access Page on Website: http://www.apta.org/StateIssues/DirectAccess/ 

APTA Action App on APTA Website: http://www.apta.org/ActionApp/ 

 Texas House Bill 29: https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB29/2019 

Evidence:

1. Texas Department of State Health Services. (2018) Texas Projections of Supply and Demand for Primary Care Physicians and Psychiatrists, 2017 – 2030. Austin, TX: Texas Health and Human Services https://dshs.texas.gov/chs/hprc/default.shtm 

2. Timing of physical therapy consultation on 1-year healthcare utilization and costs in patients seeking care for neck pain: a retrospective cohort

ME Horn, JM Fritz BMC health services research 18 (1), 887 https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12913-018-3699-0 

 

3. Physical Therapy as the First Point of Care to Treat Low Back Pain: An Instrumental Variables Approach to Estimate Impact on Opioid Prescription, Health Care Utilization, and Costs. Frogner et al Health Serv. Res. 2018  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325319327_Physical_Therapy_as_the_First_Point_of_Care_to_Treat_Low_Back_Pain_An_Instrumental_Variables_Approach_to_Estimate_Impact_on_Opioid_Prescription_Health_Care_Utilization_and_Costs 

 

4. Denninger TR, et al. The influence of patient choice of first provider on costs and outcomes: analysis from a physical therapy patient registry. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2018;48(2):63–71. http://pt-cpr.com/images/jospt.2018.7423.pdf 

 

5. Rhon, D. I., Snodgrass, S. J., Cleland, J. A., Sissel, C. D., & Cook, C. E. (2018). Predictors of chronic prescription opioid use after orthopedic surgery: derivation of a clinical prediction rule. Perioperative medicine (London, England), 7, 25. doi:10.1186/s13741-018-0105-8   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6249901/ 

 

 

 

Biographies: 

 

Michael Connors, PT, DPT, OCS, PhD received his Master of Physical Therapy degree from University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ-Rutgers University in May 2003 with honors.  Dr. Connors obtained his post professional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University in December 2008.  He became a board certified specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in June 2011. He completed a PhD degree in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in August 2017. Dr Connors is the current President of the Texas Physical Therapy Association. He also is an assistant professor within the UNT Health Science DPT Program.

 

Email: [e-mail]  

 

Mark Milligan PT, DPT, Cert TPS, OCS, FAAOMPT

Mark Milligan is an orthopedic manual therapist that specializes in the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal and spinal conditions, both acute and chronic. He is Certified in Therapeutic Pain Science, Applied Prevention and Health Promotion and dry needling, Board Certified in Orthopedics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy.  He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of the Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, Colorado.  He went on to complete an Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency and Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship with Evidence in Motion (EIM). He is a full-time clinician and Founder of Revolution Human Health, a non-profit physical therapy network and he also founded a continuing education company specializing in micro-education. He is currently a physical therapist with Encompass Home Health in Austin, Texas. Dr. Milligan serves as adjunct faculty for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs at South College and The University of St. Augustine.  Dr. Milligan is also primary faculty for Musculoskeletal Courses for EIM. Mark has presented and spoken at numerous state and national conferences and has been published in peer reviewed journals. He is an active member of the TPTA, APTA, and AAOMPT and is current the Capital Area District Chair for the Texas Physical Therapy Association and has great interest in public health and governmental affairs.  

Revolution Human Health is a non-profit physical therapy network in Austin, TX that transforms the healing experience by offering access to treatment, education, and movement based therapy for all. 

Continuing education division specializes in customized, micro-education for physical therapists across the country. Customizable options of courses include manual therapy, spinal and extremity manipulation, dry needling, clinical reasoning, and preventative care and population health. Please contact us about customizing a course for you and your team!

Email: [e-mail]  

 

Dana Tew PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
CEO/ Program Director of OPTIM Physical Therapy and OPTIM Fellowship Program. Dana specializes in orthopaedic physical therapy. His experience includes clinical management of patients with both acute and chronic orthopedic injuries in the outpatient environment. His practice is focused on integration of manual therapy and exercise into a holistic, evidence-based and biopsychosocial approach to physical therapy treatment. He is the residency manager of Harris Health System’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. He was honored by the Texas Physical Therapy Association Southeastern District, as clinical instructor of the year in 2013. He is also a guest lecturer at Texas Woman’s University and has presented at multiple conferences. Dana earned his APTA Board Certification in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and is also a Fellow, in the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists. He has served locally for the Southeastern District, as a delegate for the TPTA, and nationally on the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education credentialing council for the APTA.

 

Email: [e-mail]