American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Professional Development. According the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), professional development “begins with professional education and continues throughout one’s professional life. Professional development is the foundation for where the physical therapist assumes an attitude of inquiry and engages in an ongoing process of assessment and evaluation of knowledge, skills, and abilities.”1 Professional development can occur in organized instructional settings or in societal settings; organizations such as the APTA require members to participate “in professional development not only to ensure the acquisition and maintenance of minimally acceptable standards of practice but also to garner new knowledge and skills.”1 Specifically, …show more content…
Involvement in the profession includes promoting physical therapy services in their area, supporting or donating to political action committees which will advocate for legislation regarding physical therapy, applying for a membership in the state chapter and American Physical Therapy Association, and providing pro bono services to the community. Physical therapists can provide their services in health fairs which will give patients a general assessment of their health and allows patients to potentially return for future …show more content…
Specifically, the APTA seeks to improve the health and quality of life of individuals in society by evolving physical therapist practice, education, and research, and by increasing the cognizance and understanding of physical therapy's vital role in medicine. 2 Physical therapists can be involved with their state and national associations by attending the meetings, conferences, and symposiums which these associations organize. Physical therapists can also be involved by being nominated for governmental body positions. The APTA has two government bodies, the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors. Members of the House of Delegates seek to “amend APTA's bylaws, direct a course of action, articulate an association attitude on the physical therapy needs of the public or the needs of members, or describe a goal the association wishes to achieve.”3 The Board of Directors consists of 6 officers and 9 directors who oversee all members of the association. 4 Student physical therapists can also become involved with the APTA by running for the Student Assembly. The student assembly focuses on issues relating to students and is dedicated to advancing the concerns of physical therapy students. The Student Assembly serves as the "voice" for physical therapist and physical