Introduction
The physical therapy (PT) scope of practice is ever changing, growing and adaptive to the societal needs. The professional roles we mainly hear or read about PTs are their roles in patient/client management and prevention and risk reduction services. However, there are additional non-clinical roles that PTs assume. One of such non-clinical roles is the point of discussion in this paper. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), PTs professional roles may include providing consultation to colleagues, third-party payers and other agencies. 1 One such consultative role involves the therapist as an expert witness in a courtroom or in a legal proceeding requiring expert testimony. This paper will focus on the …show more content…
However, it must be noted that a good foundation of clinical experience in the area to which the expert witness is testifying is critical. 4 (p10), 5 According to DeMaio-Feldman5 (p592) there are several factors that lawyers look into for an expert witness, namely: (1) license to practice, (2) keeping abreast with continuing education, (3) work experience, (4) must possess clear communication skills, and (5) the ability to maintain credibility and reliability even during intense cross examination and testimony.
Furthermore, two of the experts interviewed by Ries3(p56) highlighted the importance of paying attention to details as an expert. The experts explained that knowing the nitty-gritty of the documents (medical records, depositions and tribunal records) will help support your testimony. In addition, one the expert signified the need for the PT experts to become familiar with the standards of care and the standards of practice of the profession. 3 (p56) The court takes great consideration of these standards in arriving with the verdict or ruling.
The physical therapy (PT) scope of practice is ever changing, growing and adaptive to the societal needs. The professional roles we mainly hear or read about PTs are their roles in patient/client management and prevention and risk reduction services. However, there are additional non-clinical roles that PTs assume. One of such non-clinical roles is the point of discussion in this paper. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), PTs professional roles may include providing consultation to colleagues, third-party payers and other agencies. 1 One such consultative role involves the therapist as an expert witness in a courtroom or in a legal proceeding requiring expert testimony. This paper will focus on the …show more content…
However, it must be noted that a good foundation of clinical experience in the area to which the expert witness is testifying is critical. 4 (p10), 5 According to DeMaio-Feldman5 (p592) there are several factors that lawyers look into for an expert witness, namely: (1) license to practice, (2) keeping abreast with continuing education, (3) work experience, (4) must possess clear communication skills, and (5) the ability to maintain credibility and reliability even during intense cross examination and testimony.
Furthermore, two of the experts interviewed by Ries3(p56) highlighted the importance of paying attention to details as an expert. The experts explained that knowing the nitty-gritty of the documents (medical records, depositions and tribunal records) will help support your testimony. In addition, one the expert signified the need for the PT experts to become familiar with the standards of care and the standards of practice of the profession. 3 (p56) The court takes great consideration of these standards in arriving with the verdict or ruling.