American Physical Therapy Association / 5
episode of care, or periodically in the case of the management of patients and clients with chronic
conditions. During reexamination the physical therapist modifies the management plan accordingly
and refers the patient or client to another health services provider for consultation as necessary.
H. Conclusion of an Episode of Care
The physical therapist concludes an episode of care when the goals and outcomes for the patient or
client have been achieved, when the patient or client is unable to further progress toward goals, or
when the physical therapist determines that the patient or client will no longer benefit from physical
therapy. Conclusion of a single episode of care may not, in many settings or circumstances, signal the
end of a patient or client provider relationship.
I. Communication/Coordination/Documentation
The physical therapist communicates, coordinates, and documents all aspects of patient and client
management including the results of the initial examination and evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan
of care, intervention, responses to intervention, changes in patient or client status relative to the
intervention, reexamination, and episode of care summary. The physical therapist of record is
responsible for “handoff” communication and follows “handoff” procedures developed by the physical
therapy service to the next physical therapist of record. When possible, patient records and data are
recorded using a method that allows for collective analysis. The physical therapist ensures that
protected health information is maintained and transmitted following legally required practices.
J. Co-management/Consultation/Referral
At any point in an episode of care, or in a long-term or lifelong physical therapist-patient or client
relationship, a physical therapist may engage in 1 or more of the following actions related to
involvement of other clinicians. Other clinicians may be those in other professions and also may be
physical therapist colleagues, some with advanced practice credentials or board certification in a
clinical specialty.
● Co-management: The physical therapist shares management responsibility for the individual with
another clinician(s).
● Consultation: Upon the request of another clinician(s), the physical therapist renders professional
expert opinion or advice by applying highly specialized knowledge and skills to aid in the
management of an individual’s health condition. The physical therapist documents the findings and
any recommendations of the consultation as part of the management plan. When a physical
therapist is consulted for the purposes of diagnostic or physiologic testing, the physical therapist
determines the need for and performs the testing in accordance with best available evidence. The
results of the testing are documented and communicated to the referring clinician(s). Unless
indicated, the consultant physical therapist does not assume management responsibility of the
individual. The physical therapist also seeks consultative services from other clinicians when
situations exist that are beyond the expertise or available resources of the physical therapist. In
these cases, the physical therapist shares responsibility for the individual with the consultant.
● Referral: The physical therapist may:
o Refer an individual to another provider and either conclude care or not develop a plan of care;
o Refer an individual to another provider and continue the management plan at the same time;
o Receive an individual referred from another provider who chooses not to continue services for
the individual;
o Receive an individual from another provider who continues to provide services to the individual
(if the physical therapy episode of care is ongoing, the physical therapist shares responsibility
for the individual); or
o Receive an individual from another provider for diagnostic and or physiologic testing.
IV. Education
The physical therapist is responsible for individual professional development. The physical therapist
assistant is responsible for individual career development.
• The physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant, under the direction and supervision of the
physical therapist, participate in the education of peers, other health services providers, and students.