Physical Therapy Vision Statement

In 2000, the APTA House of Delegates adopted a vision statement for the physical therapy profession, known as Vision 2020. As the stamped date became closer APTA decided to remove the original statement and replace it with a vision statement supported by Guiding Principles to Achieve the Vision. This updated approach focuses on how the profession and society will look when the vision is achieved. A few of the principles that were focused on in this update to help transform society by optimizing movement are: collaboration, innovation, and consumer-centricity. In order to help attain the Vision for our profession and improve the human experience, it is important for every physical therapist to become involved and be an advocate for patients. …show more content…
In order for transformation to occur, some patients need motivation and assistance to continue moving forward. Currently, 40% of the population is in the pre-contemplation stage. An example of this can be used when assessing an obese patient secondary to a sedentary lifestyle. At first, they are in the pre-contemplation stage and have no intention to change and are usually closed off to it. They have been “set” in their ways and have no desire to alter their lifestyle. Through informative teaching and assisting the patient during therapy sessions, the patient can begin to see the pros of changing and how it can outweigh the cons. Once this is achieved, the patient is able to move into the contemplation stage and has plans to change within the next 6 months. This is a crucial timeframe for a physical therapist because of the level of motivation needed to continue pushing these patients forward. By being an advocate for the patient and expressing their values as the central theme, they will become open and more willing to morph into the preparation phase and ready to take action towards weight