Today is Physical Therapy Day 2011. Congratulations to all the PT’s across the world.
This Year’s Theme
The theme this year is demonstrating the crucial role that PTs have in the treatment and prevention of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are diseases that are not contagious such as:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Physical therapists are the movement experts and as such, have a huge role in helping the global population get active and stay active. A quote from the World Physical Therapy Day Press Release states,
“physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for global mortality, causing 3.2 deaths annually, and that physical activity can reduce non-communicable diseases, it is clear that the profession has a major part to play.”
What’s at Stake?
Physical Therapists all over the world understand what’s at stake.
The shift to preventative medicine and regular, mechanically sound physical activity can drastically reduce the obesity epidemic and the health concerns that go along with it. We know that all of the physical therapists around the world are anxious to answer the call to action.
How WebPT can play a part
Our good friends, Physiopedia, asked WebPT how EMR could help in the prevention and treatment of NCDs. Well, we thought you’d never ask. We are anxious to do our part for the Physical Therapy community. EMR does have a place in the fight against NCDs. With the data that an EMR can collect, we can continue to elevate physical therapy as a profession through evidence based practice. With this evidence, physical therapy will emerge as a viable option for the treatment and prevention of many of these diseases.
Ultimately the information that we garner from standardized data will further define the role of physical therapists in a patient’s treatment plan. Use of EMR has also been shown to decrease time spent documenting and maximizing time spent with the patients. The greatest benefit of spending more time with your patients is that is leads to better outcomes. Ultimately, EMR is there to help physical therapists do what they do best — treat and heal their patients. We’re excited for what’s to come as the physical therapy community becomes more united in their goals.
Happy World Physical Therapy Day!
