Practice and Research Committee

The Practice and Research Committee assist the membership in understanding, complying with, and utilizing the PA Physical Therapy Practice Act and serves as a resource for research activities, processes, and education for the membership.

The committee does this by assisting the membership in understanding, complying with, and utilizing the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Also, the committee serves as a resource to the board of directors and the membership in providing assistance to support best clinical practice within the state of Pennsylvania. We are made up of committee members chosen by the board of a directors with a chair appointed with representation from members across the APTA Pennsylvania chapter.

If you have a clinical practice related question, please contact the Practice and Research Committee Chair, Mary Ann Wharton, and your question will be forwarded to the appropriate resource person by the committee. The practice Committee may, at times, post questions and responses on the web site or in the newsletter when a topic seems particularly relevant or has been asked multiple times. The questioner's identity would not be revealed in such a format.


News

  • APTA SURVEY:  APTA is currently seeking feedback on the awareness and use of the new clinical practice guideline, "Physical Therapist Management of Total Knee Arthroplasty" published in the June 2020 issue of PTJ. The survey is very brief, 10 questions, and will take less than 5 minutes of your time.  

    Please access and complete the survey today!

  • APTA Practice Update - Topic updates include:

    - What's "Nonparticipating" Status, and How Does It Affect Medicare Advantage Billing?
    - CMS Finalizes Physician Self-Referral Changes, Dodges IOAS Questions
    - HHS Finalizes Revisions Expanding Safe Harbors in Self-Referral

    Members sign in to view these member only resources!

  • ATTENTION MEMBERS: APTA Pennsylvania Research Award Grant Applications OPEN!

    The APTA Pennsylvania Practice & Research Committee is now accepting applications for the 2021 PPTA Research Grant. APTA Pennsylvania has allocated up to $1,500 for this award. Interested investigators should read the Guidelines for Grant Applicants to review the award criteria and determine eligibility.

    Eligible investigators are invited to complete and submit the electronic Application for Grant Award by the application deadline on Jan. 31, 2021 at 12 Noon.

    For questions, please contact Mary Ann Wharton, Practice & Research Chair at [email protected].

  • Research Participation Survey - Rehabilitation Practice Patterns:  Evaluating Concussion and Clinical Practice Guideline Adherence

    The purpose of the study is to investigate current physical therapy practice patterns (clinical decisions) when evaluating the concussion diagnoses, how these patterns/decisions compare to contemporary clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), and facilitators/barriers to CPG adherence. Participation is voluntary and the short survey does not collect identifying information. Eligibility: Physical therapist licensed in the United States of America who typically manages concussion diagnoses within your practice. If you agree to take part in this study, you will be asked to complete a one-time web-based online survey using the Qualtrics program. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

    Take the survey now!

  • Interoperability and Information Blocking
    APTA announced that the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has moved the startup date for the information Blocking Rule from Nov. 2, 2020 to April 5, 2021. ONC spokesperson Dan Rucker’s press release stated that the extension was made “to allow everyone in the healthcare ecosystem to focus on the COVID-19 response.” This rule could have a major impact on PT practices. Kara Gainer, APTA’s director of regulatory affairs states, “The information blocking rule is an entirely new regulatory requirement that could have serious implications for providers, health IT developers, health information networks, and others. This postponement provides an opportunity to dive into the details of the new rule that require comprehensive understanding.” 

    Review the Members Only links for Interoperability and Information Blocking

  • APTA Pennsylvania Mental Health Resources

  • Scope of Practice Resources | Compact Licensure/Dry Needling

COVID-19 Updates

Review the Jan. 25, 2021 - HHS Provider Relief Fund Updates; PA Department of Health Vaccine Distribution Update; Worthwhile Reads from the Internet, Courses and Events
Review all COVID-19 updates on the APTA Pennsylvania COVID-19 FAQ & Resource page

Committee Members

Mary Ann Wharton
Chair of the Practice & Research Committee
Term: 1/1/20-12/31/22
[email protected]		 Pam Pologruto
[email protected]
Brooke Klatt
[email protected]
Alexis Del Palazzo
  Mark Drnach

[email protected]


 Kimberly Wynarczuk
[email protected]
Tammy Frey, PTA
[email protected]		 Melissa Myers, SPT
[email protected]