Chest Physio ???!!!!! in the USA

[physiobob]

I believe it is still the case that in the USA they have a dedicated professional called a Respiratory Therapist. The Physio's don't learn the cardiopulmonary treatment in their undergraduate training. Just like they don't learn to apply plasters and the US therefore has Plaster Technicians. These types of structures as the main reasons why USA PT's are unable to work in many other western countries. i.e. The training isn't as broad as they have several professionals doing what in say Australia is taught and later performed by the one professional category.

[HoJoOregonPT]

hello, Many thanks for your reply to my inquiry. FYI, I am an Australian trained and experienced Physio who has been working in the USA for 20 years. I am aware of the differences between the two countries modes of practise for Physio/PT. You are right, we who are lucky to be trained outside the USA are way more broadly trained. However, I do believe that the Americans are better trained in neuro rehab. Perhaps, being from Sydney I was not, as our focus was more on The Australian Approach (Maitland) orthopedic manual therapy and less on say spinal cord injury rehab, amputee rehab and non Carr and Shepherd Stroke Rehab. From what I think you are suggesting is that nothing has really changed in chest physio from when I was trained 20 years ago, except for perhaps the fully enclosed suction catheter in the ICU negating the need for that special sterile field procedure of preparation before suctioning. I have to say that was a pain in the neck. So that fully enclosed suction catheter is an improvement In these patient cases where I see the Physio could really be more beneficial to the patient than RTs are in terms of patient education on positioning strategies, I feel frustrated that I can't add my opinions. I would be crossing professional boundaries and it would not be appreciated by them. So herein lies the problem for the American respiratory or heart surgery patient. Cheers....

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
thanks all for the explanations!!!
I do understand your frustrations, HoJo - must be so difficult to want to get in there, but unable to do so.
Could you raise your concerns with the Unit Manager or somewhere else in the system?

Down here, I believe that all the "old fashioned" techniques are still part of the teaching programme. However, the difference these days will be that the connection to EB treatments and clinical analysis is much more prominent. I.e., just because someone has got bi-basal crackles, you wouldn't neccessarily treat them - could be due to pulmonary oedema after all...
Also, the importance of education and general mobilisation is much more highlighted.

As to Neurology - it takes up a lot of time these days and is certainly well covered.

Regards,
Fyzzio