PTJ Author Interview: Value of Integrating Primary Care Physical Therapy

As healthcare increasingly moves toward alternative payment models, or APMs, physical therapists need to be able to measure the impact, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of their care.  In this episode, Alice Bell, PT, DPT, APTA health policy and payment senior specialist, and Chris Carlin, OTR/L, MBA, vice president of operations for the Hartford HealthCare Community Network, discuss the APTA Growing Older and Living StrongerTM, or GOALS, model: an early frailty identification and intervention model designed to help aging adults maintain independence while generating real-world evidence for value-based care and payment. Hear how APTA and Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network are piloting the GOALS model, what the yearlong initiative is measuring, and why outcomes such as function, falls, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits could matter for the future of payment for PT services.Learn more about the pilot program and alternative payment models: APTA, Hartford HealthCare Launch Frailty Pilot to Advance Value-Based CareAPTA, Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network Launch Frailty Pilot to Inform Value-Based Payment Models with Real-World Data  

In 2015, France implemented a major reform to physical therapist education by extending programs from three years to five years and by revising the curriculum to embed evidence-based practice in clinical training. Listen as Associate Editor Jason Beneciuk, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, talks with Vincent Fontanier, PhD, about his recently published study, which examined the impact of the reform and the changes in evidence-based practice competencies among physical therapist graduates. Fontanier is co-author of the article “Impact of entry-level curriculum reform on evidence-based practice competencies in physical therapists: a cross-sectional study.” Read the article on the PTJwebsite and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.

Medicare policy changes can affect how physical therapist services are valued, paid for, and delivered. In this episode, APTA staff experts Rachel Miller, MPH, and Andrew Amari, JD, help listeners understand what is at stake in the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which provisions matter most for the profession, and how timely member comments can help shape final policy.Learn more: APTA Regulatory, Legislative, and Payment Updates, August 2026 Takeaways From the Proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Part 1 Takeaways From the Proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Part 2 Take action by Sept. 14:Create a personalized comment letter with APTA’s award-winning regulatory comment tool (members only).Submit template comments through APTA’s Patient Action Center. Sign up for the APTA Advocacy Network for legislative updates and action alerts. For questions, contact APTA Advocacy.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Amit Kumar, MPH, PhD, about his recently published study, which used longitudinal data from more than 4,000 community-dwelling older adults to examine whether gait speed and hand grip strength can help identify who is at higher risk for hospitalization and mortality. The study focuses on older adults with cardiometabolic multimorbidity, which is the coexistence of diabetes and heart disease.Kumar is co-author of the article “Establishing Prognostic Value for Gait Speed and Hand Grip Strength in Predicting Hospitalization and Mortality Risk in Older Adults With Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.  

For many clinicians, rehabilitation and performance are treated as separate phases of care. In this episode of the APTA Podcast, renowned physical therapist, athletic trainer, and educator Sue Falsone, PT, ATC, MS, shares her belief that the most meaningful patient outcomes happen when PTs understand how to bridge the gap between the two.  Drawing on her experience working with elite athletes, interdisciplinary care teams, and professional sports organizations, including as head physical therapist and athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Falsone shares insights on movement, strength, collaboration, leadership, and professional growth. The conversation also explores how clinicians can apply performance principles across the lifespan, from helping athletes return to competition to helping older adults maintain mobility, independence, and quality of life. 

Getting into DPT school is a major milestone — but it’s only the beginning. In this episode of the APTA Podcast, Noah Ackerman, Ida Hoxha, and Melissa Dreger, PT, DPT, MA, share what it really takes to move from acceptance to confidence as a Doctor of Physical Therapy student. Whether you're preparing to start or already navigating your program, this conversation offers practical strategies to help you stay grounded and move forward with purpose.Hear honest perspectives on managing a rigorous workload, rethinking study habits, building routines that support your well-being, and connecting with your cohort and community. The speakers also discuss why asking for help early can be one of the most important skills you develop. You’ll come away with clear, actionable insights to help you start strong, adapt as you grow, and make the most of your DPT journey.Check out these additional resources for students: Read the recent APTA Magazine article, “The Power of Student Advocacy,” featuring Ackerman and Hoxha, for advice on getting involved in advocacy early.Not yet an APTA member? Join APTA to receive the APTA Student Newsletter, with monthly updates, news, and resources for students.Connect with peers and professionals in the APTA Community, and follow APTA Students on X, Facebook, and Instagram.Explore online courses and earn CEUs through the APTA Learning Center.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Kathleen Mangione, PT, PhD, FAPTA, about receiving the 2026 Jules M. Rothstein Golden Pen Award for Scientific Writing for her notable research career. TheRothstein Golden Pen Award recognizes an author who has demonstrated superior writing skills in one or more articles published in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal and has collaborated with or encouraged others to make similar contributions.  

Physical therapists often enter the profession to help patients — but many also aspire to have greater autonomy, flexibility, and ownership over their careers. In this episode of the APTA Podcast, entrepreneur, business coach, author, and physical therapist Danny Matta, PT, DPT, joins APTA's Alicia Hosmer, CME, AAiP, and Drew Contreras, PT, DPT, to share practical lessons from his journey from U.S. Army physical therapist to successful business owner.Learn how Matta identified his niche, built a cash-based practice, navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, and developed a mindset centered on continuous growth. Whether you're considering private practice, looking to expand your impact, or simply exploring new possibilities in your professional journey, this conversation offers actionable insights on creating a career that aligns with your goals.

In this episode of the APTA Podcast, John Gallucci Jr., PT, DPT, ATC, MS, president and CEO of JAG Physical Therapy and associate chief medical officer for Major League Soccer, explores the unique physical demands of soccer for athletes of all levels. With the 2026 men’s World Cup underway, Gallucci draws on his extensive experience with elite athletes, while also offering guidance for physical therapists preparing to support recreational, first-time, and youth athletes. 

Join Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, as he talks with Alyson Cavanaugh, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, and Micah Wong, PT, DPT, about their recently published scoping review. The review mapped the current literature on the implementation of primary care physical therapy and found that integrating physical therapists in primary care may result in reduced healthcare utilization with similar patient outcomes.  Cavanaugh and Wong are co-authors of the article “The Value of Integrating Physical Therapists into Primary Care, Including Patient Outcomes and Health Care Costs: A Scoping Review.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.