Autonomy in Physical Therapy: Less Is More

Julie M. Fritz, Timothy W. Flynn

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2005.0111

This issue of the JOSPT is the second of 2 dedicated to the topic of direct access physical therapy. Achieving direct access is an important component of the Vision 2020 statement set forth by the American Physical Therapy Association.1 This aspect of Vision 2020 is coming to fruition, with the majority of states now permitting direct access to physical therapists. Other related concepts promoted within Vision 2020 are professionalism and autonomy. Vision 2020 promotes the goal that physical therapists will ‘‘hold all privileges of autonomous practice,'' with autonomous practice defined as ‘‘independent, self-determined, professional judgment and action.'' Measuring the achievement of direct access is relatively straightforward. We may simply tally the number of states whose practice acts permit such access. Gauging our advance toward the goals of autonomy or professionalism is more difficult. The first step in analyzing our progress is to define our target so that we might be aware of where we are headed and recognize the destination once we arrive.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2005; 35(11):696-698. doi:10.2519/jospt.2005.0111

Key Words: direct access physical therapy

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