Perceptions of Physiatrists and Physical Therapists on the proposed amendment of Section 12 of RA 5630 / Arce, Dovie Joy E.; Batalla, Rea T.; Credito, Sharon Ann O.; Del Rosario, Rhia D.; Jerusalem, Carol L. and Vista, Andy M. 6

Undergraduate (Thesis) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila;College of Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy 56

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ABSTRACT: The study was designed to gauge the awareness and determine the perceptions of both Physiatrists and Physical Therapists on the proposed amendment of Section 12 of RA 5680. As of the present, the PPTA has spearheading a campaign to create a separate law for physical therapists. The House Bill 1511, which was authored by Cong. Harlin Abayon, was recently heard at the Congress. The bill revises all provisions in the Pt-OT law, specifically the concept of referral and prescription, which is the main concern of the study. The PT-OT law states: No person shall practice or offer to practiced Physical Therapy in the Philippines as defined in this Act without the prescription of any registered physician and a valid certificate of registration as a Physical Therapist. Meanwhile in Section 30, Article 5 of House Bill 1511 No person shall practice of offer to practice Physical Therapy without having previously obtained a valid certificate of registration as a Physical Therapist from the Board and a referral from a medical practitioner or a specialist in any recognized branches of medicine and other health related profession. The latter provision has been a subject of debate between physical therapists and physiatrist group strongly expressed disagreement on the proposed law. They believe the proposed law is a vague and if it is revised, it will still remain a paper law. One of the physiatrist-responded stressed proposed revisions is already practiced within the clinics. Physical therapists are treated as professionals but they believe PTs are not competent enough to work without a doctor's supervision. Moreover, physical therapists should just focus on making their patients better and respect the physiatrists orders. After all, these doctors help and protect physical therapists from any legal issues such as malpractice. They also reasoned that Rehabilitation Medicine is a medical discipline that entails TEAM WORK, not just the physical therapists alone. However, not all physical therapists believe the revision of the PT-OT law can benefit every PT professionals. For volunteers who have just one-year experience, it is hypothesized that they do not have just one-year experience, it is hypothesized that they do not agree on this provision change because they may not be ready to face the consequence of the law especially to legal issues that may arise during the course of their practice. But for physical therapists who have more years of work experience, they are more aware of the implications of the law. They are most mentally and even physically prepared for face such as challenge. Therefore, the study has recommended an effective law to be created to make the system work. If the question of competency and professionalism embodies the hindrance for such approval, then extreme measures should be taken to improve all the evident flaws of the discipline. But these laws should be taken to improve all the evident flaws of the discipline. But these laws should not overlap or to be in conflict with other profession. The Pt-OT law is vague. It should clearly and elaborately define PTs responsibilities and the scope of its practice. However, changes within the law should also constitute change within practitioners. It does not matter how many change or revisions these laws may undergo but PTs should understand and realize all the implications, whether good or bad, their practice may be.

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