Biomaterial Database

The role of Army physical therapists as nonphysician health care providers who prescribe certain medications: observations and experiences. 1995

C J Benson, and R C Schreck, and F B Underwood, and D G Greathouse

Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 96859-5000, USA.

For two decades, Army physical therapists have been granted limited privileges to prescribe certain medications when serving as nonphysician health care providers for the primary evaluation and treatment of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions. A brief summary of the events that led to this physician-extender role is presented. This article describes the Army regulations, credentialing process, and expanded clinical privileges developed to prepare and support physical therapists working as primary neuromusculoskeletal screeners who are credentialed to order certain pharmacologic medications. A historical synopsis of Army physical therapists ordering pharmacologic medications. A historical synopsis of Army physical therapists ordering pharmacologic medications in their expanded role as nonphysician health care providers is also presented. Results of a 1994 Army-wide survey of physical therapy clinics are provided in terms of medications prescribed and observations by those involved. The educational opportunities designed to ensure safe and appropriate uses of these privileges are described.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008887	Military Medicine	The practice of medicine as applied to special circumstances associated with military operations.	Medicine, Military
D009135	Muscular Diseases	Acquired, familial, and congenital disorders of SKELETAL MUSCLE and SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Muscle Disorders,Myopathies,Myopathic Conditions,Muscle Disorder,Muscular Disease,Myopathic Condition,Myopathy
D010600	Pharmacology	The study of the origin, nature, properties, and actions of drugs and their effects on living organisms.	Pharmacologies
D011307	Drug Prescriptions	Directions written for the obtaining and use of DRUGS.	Drug Prescribing,Drug Prescription,Drug Prescribings,Prescribing, Drug,Prescribings, Drug
D004363	Drug Utilization	The utilization of drugs as reported in individual hospital studies, FDA studies, marketing, or consumption, etc. This includes drug stockpiling, and patient drug profiles.	Utilization, Drug,Drug Utilizations,Utilizations, Drug
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D026741	Physical Therapy Modalities	Therapeutic modalities frequently used in PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALTY by PHYSICAL THERAPISTS or physiotherapists to promote, maintain, or restore the physical and physiological well-being of an individual.	Physical Therapy,Physiotherapy (Techniques),Group Physiotherapy,Neurological Physiotherapy,Neurophysiotherapy,Physical Therapy Techniques,Group Physiotherapies,Modalities, Physical Therapy,Modality, Physical Therapy,Physical Therapies,Physical Therapy Modality,Physical Therapy Technique,Physiotherapies (Techniques),Physiotherapies, Group,Physiotherapy, Group,Physiotherapy, Neurological,Techniques, Physical Therapy,Therapy, Physical