Episodes

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Daniel White, PT, ScD, MSc, about his recently published survey study, which evaluated the effectiveness of a physical therapist-administered physical activity intervention in increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adults after total knee replacement. The study found similar increases in physical activity in both the intervention and the control groups. George and White discuss if clinicia...

For the first time in APTA history, physical therapist assistants are eligible to serve on the APTA Board of Directors beginning with the 2026 cycle. In this episode, host Kelley Kubota, PT, DPT, MS, sits down with Evan Bier, PTA, and Timothy Russell, PTA, to discuss what this milestone means for the profession. Bier and Russell share their personal reactions to the news, reflect on how the PTA role has evolved, and discuss why belonging to APTA matters for PTAs at every career stage. Visit APT...

Editorial Board member Shauna Dudley-Javoroski, PT, PhD, talks with Jessica Feda, PT, DPT, DSc, and Evan Pucillo, PT, DPT, EdD, about their recently published article, which evaluated the reliability and validity of the Learning and Studies Strategies Inventory, aka LASSI. The authors define what self-regulated learning is, discuss how the instrument assesses self-regulated learning, and explain how LASSI was shortened through exploratory analysis to be more suitable for entry-level DPT students...

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Brittany Lapin, PhD, Joshua Johnson, PT, DPT, PhD, and Sandra Passek, PT, DPT, about their recently published article on the development and validation of the Physical Therapy Frequency Clinical Decision Support Tool, aka PT-PENCIL. The tool identifies which patients are most likely to benefit from daily physical therapy to be discharged home. The authors discuss what spurred their interest in this rese...

In this episode, APTA staff experts Rachel Miller, MPH, and Sharon West, JD, discuss how the final 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will affect the physical therapy profession. They explain why physical therapists can expect an average 1.75% increase in payment under this fee schedule and provide important updates on telehealth and remote therapeutic monitoring. For more insights from APTA, read this news article, CMS Finalizes Fee Schedule Pay Bump for the First Time in 5 Years, and watch...

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Stanley Hung, PT, PhD, about his recently published survey study, which looked at implementation factors for intensive rehabilitation within real-world inpatient stroke rehabilitation settings. George and Hung discuss the differences between the DOSE and Walk ‘n Watch trials, the potential inaccuracies of wearable technologies and monitors in clinical practice, and what other methods can be used in addi...

What do Americans really think about physical therapy—and what’s keeping more people from seeing a PT? In this episode of the APTA Podcast, host Alicia Hosmer sits down with APTA’s Drew Contreras and Emilio Rouco, as well as APTA’s research partners Shelly Adcock and Tam Nguyen from Penta Group, to unpack findings from APTA’s Consumer Perceptions Report. Hear how insights on awareness, access, and trust are shaping APTA’s national advocacy and public awareness strategies — including the new Cho...

In this episode, Megan Brown, PT, DPT, details her journey from beginning her career as a physical therapist to founding her business Mind The Mat Pilates & Yoga. Gain practical advice for your career and finding your passion while gettinga preview of what Brown plans to share during her panel discussion “Unfiltered & Unlocked: 3 PTs on Building a Career You Love” at APTA CSM in Anaheim, California.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Gregory Hartley, PT, DPT, FAPTA, and Neva Kirk-Sanchez, PT, PhD, about their recently published perspective, which defines the health systems science framework and advocates for the framework to be a foundational pillar in physical therapy education. Listen as the authors discuss how the framework can contribute to better clinical outcomes, support the development of community-based interventions, and b...

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Shane McClinton, PT, DPT, PhD, about his recently published study, which compared the cost-effectiveness of usual podiatry care plus physical therapy with podiatry care alone in the management of plantar heel pain. Listen as they discuss the inspiration for the study, the typical patient experience for those with plantar heel pain, and why it is important for researchers to consider economic analysis st...

APTA is ushering in a historic change in physical therapy education: the merger of CAPTE and ABPTRFE into a single integrated accreditation body. This unification will streamline processes, reduce burdens on programs, and strengthen quality across the entire education continuum — from entry-level through residency and fellowship. In this podcast, APTA President Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD, speaks with leaders guiding the transition about why now is the right time, how the merger supports innova...

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Andrew Hogan, PhD, about his recently published perspective on the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education standard requiring that at least 50% of core faculty in all physical therapist education programs hold an academic doctorate of PhD, EdD, or ScD. They discuss the history of the standard, why it could be a barrier to entry for faculty, and how academic physical therapy is unique c...

In this episode of the APTA Podcast, Justin Elliott, vice president of government affairs at APTA, and William Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAPTA, discuss APTA’s recent report on direct access to PT services. Boissonnault, a key contributor to the report, discusses the purpose of the report, its significance in today’s physical therapy profession and health care system, and how this evidence can be utilized to promote direct access policies at every level. Don't miss this informative discussion...

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Shawn Farrokhi, PT, PhD, about winning the 2025 APTA Outstanding Research Award for the article “The Influence of Active, Passive, and Manual Therapy Interventions for Low Back Pain on Opioid Prescription and Health Care Utilization.” They discuss why the article was chosen for the award, how the Military Health System Repository was used as a data source, and how the study has impacted practice and pat...

A brief introduction from the leadership of the academy. Jason Lau, PT, DPT, interviews Jamie Grigsby, PT, DPT, and Melissa Lazinski, PT, DPT, DHSc, with APTA Hand & Upper Extremity at APTA CSM in Houston. Visit the APTA Hand and Upper Extremity website to learn more about the academy. Watch a video of this interview on the APTA Magazine website.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PT, PhD, FAPTA, about winning the 2025 Jules M. Rothstein Golden Pen Award for Scientific Writing. The Rothstein Golden Pen Award recognizes an author who has demonstrated superior writing skills in one or more articles published in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal and has collaborated with or encouraged others to make similar contributions. Listen as Stevens-Laps...

APTA staff expert Rachel Miller, MPH, breaks down the proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and what it means for the physical therapy profession. Use your voice to make a difference: Visit the APTA Patient Action Center to submit your comments on the proposed rule to CMS. You’ll find an easy-to-use template letter that tells CMS to appropriately value physical therapy codes and to recognize physical therapy as a high-quality, low-cost service that prevents and manages chronic disease. ...

A brief introduction from the president of the academy. Thailey Leak, SPT, interviewed APTA Oncology President Chris Wilson, PT, DPT, DScPT, at APTA CSM in Houston. Learn what Wilson says about the skills, settings, and steps to thrive in this specialty. Visit the APTA Oncology website to learn more about the academy. Watch a video of this interview on the APTA Magazine website.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editorial Board Member Shauna Dudley-Javoroski, PT, PhD, talks with Keshrie Naidoo, PT, DPT, EdD, and Diane Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA, about their recently published perspective titled "An Improvement Science Framework to Advance Sense of Belonging for Physical Therapist Students From Minoritized Backgrounds.” The authors explain how “wicked problems” and “solutionitis” can arise in physical therapist education, discuss how to measure and cultivate a sense of belo...

In this episode, Alice Bell, PT, DPT, senior specialist, health policy and payment, is joined by Wanda Evans, PT, DPT, MHS, senior specialist, health policy and payment, to discuss how APTA advocacy led to Aetna’s decision to provide unrestricted direct access to physical therapist services. Bell and Evans recap the almost decade’s worth of effort by APTA staff to move the needle and ultimately help deliver this significant win for the profession.   This episode also features insights from L...

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Matthew Schumacher, PT, DPT, DSc, Kyle Cottone, PT, DPT, DSc, and Laura Siviter, PT, DPT, DSc, about their recently published study, which identified six themes related to barriers to clinical practice guideline implementation for low back pain. The authors discuss why they chose a mixed-methods approach, why clinician training and confidence may be a barrier to clinical practice guideline usage, and ho...

In this episode, Colleen Ward, PT, DPT, board-certified clinical specialist in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy, chats with three fellow APTA members about their experiences becoming board-certified clinical specialists. They share how earning certification has transformed their careers and the different paths they took to achieve it. Additionally, they offer advice for anyone considering certification. Since February 1985, when podcast panelist Meryl Cohen, PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA, and...

A brief introduction from the president of the academy. Annabelle Hu, SPT, a first-year student at University of Southern California Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, interviews Stephanie Woelfel, PT, DPT, president of APTA Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management at APTA CSM in Houston. Learn more about these two clinical specialties that both reward curiosity and problem-solving. Visit the APTA Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management website to...

In this episode, Rachel Miller, MPH, APTA health policy and payment specialist, shares key updates on the organization's advocacy efforts over the past few months. Discover how APTA is working to reduce administrative burdens in physical therapy, address inefficiencies in Medicare and Medicaid policy, and tackle commercial payer issues. This episode also features insights from APTA's Harker Intern, Alvin Osorio Flores, SPT, who shares his journey and experiences within the advocacy team. Don't ...