Beyond the Clinic Walls: Why Physical Therapists Must Be Visible in the Fight Against Falls
For too long, the physical therapy profession has been nearly invisible. We have dedicated our time in the clinics to diligently helping patients recover from injuries and illnesses. This work is vital, but what if our most significant impact could be achieved before an injury even occurs? Our profession's true potential is realized when we step out of the shadows and take our expertise directly to the community.
Falls are not just accidents; they are a pressing public health crisis with devastating consequences. They are the leading cause of injury-related death and hospitalization among older Americans, often leading to a loss of independence, a debilitating fear of movement, and a diminished quality of life. As physical therapists, we possess a unique skill set to combat this crisis head-on. Our expertise in gait, balance, and mobility makes us the ideal professionals to lead the charge in fall prevention. But to truly make a difference, we cannot wait for patients to come to us. We have to go to them.
The Power of Community-Based Screening
This is the very essence of the Fight the Fall campaign, a national community outreach program I am proud to support at FYZICAL. This initiative is our way of moving beyond the clinic walls to meet our communities where they are. We utilize this platform to offer free, evidence-based balance screenings and promote awareness about fall risk.
During these screenings, our team, often comprising physical therapists and other trained professionals, acts as the diagnosticians. We utilize objective, standardized tools, such as the Timed Up & Go (TUG) Test, the 4-Stage Balance Test, and the 30-Second Chair Stand Test, to collect precise data on an individual's balance and strength. This is not a clinical assessment, and we are not making a diagnosis. Our role is to provide a service that empowers the individual.
Think of it like an MRI technician: they expertly operate the equipment and capture the image, but they do not interpret the results for the patient. They provide the physician with objective data, which can then be used to guide a diagnosis. We take the same approach. We provide the participant with a document containing their results, encouraging them to share it with their physician. This service empowers the individual, giving them control over their health journey.
Quantifying Our Value and Becoming Indispensable
This proactive approach is how we transform the perception of our profession. Our ability to quantify balance and fall risk in the community is our most powerful tool for assessing and mitigating these risks. It is how we demonstrate our value and become visible to all stakeholders:
To Physicians: We provide objective, standardized data from well-established tests (like the CDC's STEADI program). This data is invaluable to a physician's comprehensive assessment, enabling them to make more informed decisions about a patient's health. We are no longer just a referral option; we are a valuable partner in preventative care.
To Insurance Companies: When we can demonstrate that our preventive screenings lead to a reduction in fall-related injuries, we are showing a tangible impact on healthcare costs. We can show them that proactive physical therapy is a wise investment, not just a service for post-injury rehabilitation.
To the Community: Most importantly, we become the go-to experts for healthy aging. We build trust by empowering individuals with knowledge about their own health and well-being. We show them that physical therapy is not just for when they are in pain, but for when they want to maintain their independence and desired quality of life.
This value then transforms into our need. The shift from an invisible, reactive profession to a visible, proactive one is not just a step; it's a transformation. It's the beginning of a new era where physical therapists are rightly seen as essential members of the healthcare ecosystem, leading the way in community health and wellness. This is a transformation we can all be proud of.
This is the future of our profession: being present, being visible, and leading the way in community health.
About the Author: Brian K. Werner, PT, MPT, is a distinguished physical therapist with over a quarter-century of experience specializing in vestibular and balance disorders. As the National Director of Vestibular Education & Training at FYZICAL, he is a passionate advocate for proactive patient care and education. Brian is also an active writer on Substack, sharing insights from his extensive experience to help both clinicians and patients better understand the complexities of balance and vestibular health.