How Americans View Physical Therapy: Inside APTA’s Consumer Perceptions Report

In this episode, ethics experts discuss the development of the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Members of the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee and the Ethics Task Force break down what the code means for both everyday practice and the future of the profession. Plus, learn how the code was modernized to help PTs, PTAs, and students make ethical decisions in the era of AI and other emerging technologies. Learn more about the new code and other ethical milestones with these resources referenced in the episode: Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession Published in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal in 2010: “The Revised APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant: Theory, Purpose, Process, and Significance” The 31st Mary McMillan Lecture by Ruth B Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA: “A Time to Harvest, a Time to Sow: Ethics for a Shifting Landscape” Reach out to [email protected] with any questions about the code of ethics. 

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Daniel White, PT, ScD, MSc, about his recently published survey study, which evaluated the effectiveness of a physical therapist-administered physical activity intervention in increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adults after total knee replacement. The study found similar increases in physical activity in both the intervention and the control groups. George and White discuss if clinicians should reconsider the use of wearable technology and step goals, and they give advice to PTs aiming to increase physical activity in patients after total knee replacement.White is co-author of the article “Effectiveness of a Physical Therapist-Administered Physical Activity Intervention after Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Trial.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.  

For the first time in APTA history, physical therapist assistants are eligible to serve on the APTA Board of Directors beginning with the 2026 cycle. In this episode, host Kelley Kubota, PT, DPT, MS, sits down with Evan Bier, PTA, and Timothy Russell, PTA, to discuss what this milestone means for the profession. Bier and Russell share their personal reactions to the news, reflect on how the PTA role has evolved, and discuss why belonging to APTA matters for PTAs at every career stage.  Visit APTA’s website to learn more about PTA membership and explore APTA’s PTA resources.  

Editorial Board member Shauna Dudley-Javoroski, PT, PhD, talks with Jessica Feda, PT, DPT, DSc, and Evan Pucillo, PT, DPT, EdD, about their recently published article, which evaluated the reliability and validity of the Learning and Studies Strategies Inventory, aka LASSI. The authors define what self-regulated learning is, discuss how the instrument assesses self-regulated learning, and explain how LASSI was shortened through exploratory analysis to be more suitable for entry-level DPT students.  Feda and Pucillo are co-authors of the article “Validation of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) in Doctor of Physical Therapy Learners: A Retrospective Observational Study.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.   

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Brittany Lapin, PhD, Joshua Johnson, PT, DPT, PhD, and Sandra Passek, PT, DPT, about their recently published article on the development and validation of the Physical Therapy Frequency Clinical Decision Support Tool, aka PT-PENCIL. The tool identifies which patients are most likely to benefit from daily physical therapy to be discharged home. The authors discuss what spurred their interest in this research, the study design and methodology of the predictive model, and the potential challenges of using large datasets.  Lapin, Passek, and Johnson are co-authors of the article “Development and Validation of PT-PENCIL: The Physical Therapy Frequency Clinical Decision Support Tool to Increase Hospital Discharge to Home.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.   

In this episode, APTA staff experts Rachel Miller, MPH, and Sharon West, JD, discuss how the final 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will affect the physical therapy profession. They explain why physical therapists can expect an average 1.75% increase in payment under this fee schedule and provide important updates on telehealth and remote therapeutic monitoring. For more insights from APTA, read this news article, CMS Finalizes Fee Schedule Pay Bump for the First Time in 5 Years, and watch APTA's Regulatory, Legislative, and Payment Updates webinar from Nov. 19. Staff referenced the following resources from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in this episode: The Quality Payment Program Small Practices webpage. CMS’ Ambulatory Specialty Model, aka ASM, webpage. QPP’s Rehabilitative Support for Musculoskeletal Care MVP webpage.APTA continues to advocate for reforms to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to increase payment, reduce administrative burden, and provide more flexibility to both patients and providers. Sign up for the APTA Advocacy Network, a free, member-only service that sends you special legislative updates and action alerts so you're up to speed and ready to act. Contact APTA’s advocacy staff with questions related to this year’s fee schedule.  

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Stanley Hung, PT, PhD, about his recently published survey study, which looked at implementation factors for intensive rehabilitation within real-world inpatient stroke rehabilitation settings. George and Hung discuss the differences between the DOSE and Walk ‘n Watch trials, the potential inaccuracies of wearable technologies and monitors in clinical practice, and what other methods can be used in addition to survey methods in implementation science.  Hung is co-author of the article “Real-World Experiences of Therapy Staff Implementing an Intensive Rehabilitation Protocol in Canadian Stroke Inpatient Rehabilitation Settings: A Multi-Site Survey Study.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.   

What do Americans really think about physical therapy—and what’s keeping more people from seeing a PT? In this episode of the APTA Podcast, host Alicia Hosmer sits down with APTA’s Drew Contreras and Emilio Rouco, as well as APTA’s research partners Shelly Adcock and Tam Nguyen from Penta Group, to unpack findings from APTA’s Consumer Perceptions Report.  Hear how insights on awareness, access, and trust are shaping APTA’s national advocacy and public awareness strategies — including the new ChoosePT: PT for Future Me campaign — and what PTs and PTAs can do to help more Americans view physical therapy as a valuable, smart strategy to maintain lifelong movement and health.  

In this episode, Megan Brown, PT, DPT, details her journey from beginning her career as a physical therapist to founding her business Mind The Mat Pilates & Yoga. Gain practical advice for your career and finding your passion while gettinga preview of what Brown plans to share during her panel discussion “Unfiltered & Unlocked: 3 PTs on Building a Career You Love” at APTA CSM in Anaheim, California.   

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Gregory Hartley, PT, DPT, FAPTA, and Neva Kirk-Sanchez, PT, PhD, about their recently published perspective, which defines the health systems science framework and advocates for the framework to be a foundational pillar in physical therapy education. Listen as the authors discuss how the framework can contribute to better clinical outcomes, support the development of community-based interventions, and better prepare students to be leaders in health care. Hartley and Kirk-Sanchez are co-authors of the article “Educating for Impact: The Imperative of Health Systems Science in Physical Therapy.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.