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The emphasis of this special issue is on the history of physical therapist education; one manuscript, however, specifically illustrates the history of physical therapist assistant education. All of the authors describe the early days of physical therapy in the United States and the external and internal influences that make physical therapist practice and education what it is today.
As you read this issue, you will be impressed by the way societal and political factors, along with the continual evolution of disease, have affected physical therapist practice. Over the years, the manner in which physical therapy professionals dress, talk, and relate to patients has changed markedly. Surges or resurgences of certain diseases have impacted the profession, as has the political arena, from payment structures to the domination by physicians of our profession in the early days.
The key elements of our profession include practice, teaching, and research. The transformations in physical therapy education and practice were very difficult to capture in short manuscripts. The authors have provided you with a tour of critical past events.
Physical therapy practice has evolved from being prescriptive, with physicians telling physical therapists exactly what to do, to physical therapists practicing independently. The proposed national Medicare regulations for payment for direct-access services substantiates how far this profession has come; this issue is discussed by Marilyn Moffat, PT, PhD, CSCS, FAPTA, in "The History of Physical Therapy Practice in the United States" and by John L Echternach, PT, RdD, HCS, FAITA, in his article "The Political and Social Issues That...