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Reviews of Books, Software, and Multimedia |
Each of the 8 chapters is written in textbook fashion, beginning with clearly defined chapter objectives, followed by the discussion, which is peppered with diagrams, flow charts, and tables. Each chapter ends with review questions and application exercises. The format allows ample room for the student to write responses to each question or exercise.
Two appendixes follow the chapters. Appendix A includes abbreviations and symbols, and appendix B provides sample forms and templates of commonly needed documentation types. References and an index complete the book.
Chapter 1, "Physical Therapy and Disablement," covers the underpinning of documentation in physical therapy. The major conceptual frameworks for disablement and the role each plays in physical therapy documentation are the heart of this chapter. "Reasons for Documenting," chapter 2, succinctly discusses the rationale for documentation and the importance of accuracy. The third chapter, "Documentation Formats," examines 4 types of contemporary physical therapy documentation. This chapter provides a compare-and-contrast mode to the use of each, along with a case example of each format. Computerized documentation is dealt with in the final section of the chapter, and the chapter notes the ongoing dynamic nature of this documentation method, pointing the reader to currently available commercial products. The APTA Web site also is cited for additional references.
Chapter 4 begins the material that is specific to the physical therapist assistant and the physical therapist assistant’s role in the documentation process. This chapter captured my imagination by delving into specific examples of physical therapist assistant interaction in patient management. Notably, the chapter supports the need for an autonomous thought process for the physical therapist assistant. Although role delineation between the physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant is highlighted, the emphasis of the chapter is on the specific clinical judgment needs of the physical therapist assistant. "Documentation Practice," chapter 5, continues the discussion from chapter 4. It makes specific reference to the APTA’s Guidelines for Physical Therapy Documentation. Because it concentrates on principles and guidelines, this chapter would be of benefit to most clinicians.
Reimbursement basics are the core of chapter 6. This chapter provides a basic discourse on various reimbursement sources commonly involved in payment for physical therapy services. Cash-based care, however, is missing from the otherwise thorough review.
Chapter 7 discusses legal and ethical considerations for physical therapy documentation. This chapter describes federal legislation related to privacy and confidentiality, the HIPAA Privacy Rule, and fraud and abuse. State practice acts and APTA recommendations complete this chapter.
The last chapter, "SOAP Notes Across the Curriculum," delves further into the SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plans) method and provides an intensive tutorial into SOAP notes across the curriculum (SNAC). This chapter is a capstone to the previous chapters, allowing students to critically analyze what they have learned and complete the exercises.
This stand-alone workbook is an excellent teaching tool for physical therapist assistant students and a resource for all physical therapist assistants. It is highly recommended as a fundamental text to physical therapist assistant program instructors and site-based clinical instructors.
Cheryl LaFollette Anderson, PT, PhD, GCS Alexandria, Minn
 | Editor's Notes |
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Reviews of books, computer software, and videotapes are written by invitation.
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