When is it appropriate for the therapy team to bring attention to the nursing staff and physician that medicines could be delaying therapy progress?
Answer
That is a great question. I think that needs to be a continual two-way conversation. Physical therapy is an essential part of the health care team, and it is only when we work together and bring these things to each other’s attention that the patient ultimately benefits. If the regimen is negatively impacting therapy, I think the rest of the team needs to know that right away. That is probably commonly the case. The rest of the team can also reinforce that the patient is adequately medicated prior to therapy so that they can get the most out of their session. I would imagine occasionally you see patients that, for whatever reason, did not take their blood pressure medicine or did not take their pain medicine prior to their first appointment. That would limit what you could do. If a physician is going to refer a patient to PT, they need to make sure the patients understand the importance of the medications that day as well.
Michelle A. Fritsch, Pharm.D., CGP, BCACP
Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D., CGP, BCACP is a clinical pharmacist with a passion for geriatric health and education. She is currently founder of Meds MASH, LLC, a company dedicated to reducing risks posed by medications and falls in mature adults. She was from 2008-2014 founding Professor and Chair, Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences at the Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Fritsch received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Purdue University. She then completed a primary care residency at the William S. Middleton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to her arrival at the Notre Dame of Maryland University, Dr. Fritsch founded and directed the Alamance Medication Assistance Program (AlaMAP) of Alamance Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Burlington, North Carolina from 1997 to 2008. The AlaMAP clinic provides medication therapy management and medication access to a geriatric population in Alamance County, North Carolina.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/contemporary-guidelines-for-exercise-and-3387Contemporary Guidelines for Exercise and Diabetes: Application to Physical Therapy CasesPhysical activity is established as an important therapy in the prevention and management of diabetes and diabetes-related health comorbidities. This course reviews new guidelines related to physical activity for improving glucose control and cardiovascular health in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and highlights ways to apply these guidelines in different physical therapy cases. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Physical activity is established as an important therapy in the prevention and management of diabetes and diabetes-related health comorbidities. This course reviews new guidelines related to physical activity for improving glucose control and cardiovascular health in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and highlights ways to apply these guidelines in different physical therapy cases. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/endurance-assessment-and-intervention-3404Endurance Assessment and InterventionIt is important to assess a patient's endurance and then provide interventions to improve it. It is not enough to just say someone has decreased endurance. We need to quantify it and progress it. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
It is important to assess a patient's endurance and then provide interventions to improve it. It is not enough to just say someone has decreased endurance. We need to quantify it and progress it. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/diabetes-in-adults-current-guidelines-3958Diabetes in Adults: Current Guidelines and EvidenceThis course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/physical-therapist-guide-exercise-prescription-4483A Physical Therapist Guide to Exercise Prescription for the Diabetic and Pre-diabetic PopulationThis course equips the physical therapist to identify pre-diabetes and type 1 diabetes in their patients based on history and clinical signs and symptoms. Exercise Prescription, the interaction of other medications, and modulation of a current exercise program for patients with diabetes as a co-morbidity are also included. This course also includes the management of diabetes from a Covid-19 perspective. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 3 hours of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This course equips the physical therapist to identify pre-diabetes and type 1 diabetes in their patients based on history and clinical signs and symptoms. Exercise Prescription, the interaction of other medications, and modulation of a current exercise program for patients with diabetes as a co-morbidity are also included. This course also includes the management of diabetes from a Covid-19 perspective.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 3 hours of Direct Access CE credit.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/trauma-informed-care-principles-for-3975Trauma Informed Care Principles for Rehabilitation ProfessionalsAcute and chronic trauma is very prevalent in the United States, and have been tied strongly to adverse health behaviors and outcomes. This course provides the rehabilitation professional with an overview of the physiology of trauma, as well as practical tools to work with patients who are experiencing trauma. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Acute and chronic trauma is very prevalent in the United States, and have been tied strongly to adverse health behaviors and outcomes. This course provides the rehabilitation professional with an overview of the physiology of trauma, as well as practical tools to work with patients who are experiencing trauma. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
