Physical Therapists as Evidence-Based Diagnosticians

Guy G. Simoneau, Stephen C. Allison

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2010.0108

Prior to the era of evidence-based practice, a common approach taught in entry-level physical therapy programs was relatively simplistic: (1) learn how to administer a clinical diagnostic test; (2) learn the result considered "positive" and the result considered "negative"; (3) conclude that a patient with a positive test result would likely have the target condition and a patient with a negative test result would not. Much has changed in the last 15 years. We have seen a significant shift in the way evidence is used to make clinical decisions about physical therapy interventions. However, despite these gains, more attention is needed to improve our understanding of the accuracy of commonly used diagnostic tests. Only in this way can we properly integrate evidence for diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests into our practice and truly consider ourselves as evidence-based practitioners.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(10):603-605. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.0108

KEY WORDS: diagnostic tests, evidence-based practice

In the last 15 years, we have seen a significant shift in the way evidence is used to make clinical decisions about physical therapy interventions. However, despite these gains, more attention is needed to improve our understanding of the accuracy of commonly used diagnostic tests.

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