Dear Colleague:

We are conducting a study to examine some of the practices of physical therapists in providing care for their patients, as well as their perceptions about those practices. You have been selected to participate in this study because you are a member of either the Orthopedic or Private Practice Section of the APTA.

Although much is made of the importance of collecting certain types of data and providing certain interventions in the context of direct access, there is little information about what practice actually looks like. As the profession argues for Medicare direct access and payers of healthcare, including Medicare and private health insurers, become more interested in models such as “pay for performance”, it is vital for the profession to have data about physical therapists’ practices. Because you are a physical therapist, your input is vital to this study.

I am asking for only about 15 minutes of your time to respond to the statements and questions included in this electronic survey. I would appreciate your responses within the next 2 weeks.

Responding to the survey indicates your consent to participate in the study, allowing us to use the information that you provide. Your survey responses will be anonymous. All collected data will be stored on a password protected computer in a locked office on the University campus. To our knowledge, there are no risks involved in participating in the study. There also is no direct benefit to you for participating, aside from helping to increase understanding of the practice of physical therapy.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. Your responses will make a significant contribution to understanding this contemporary issue in physical therapy. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Diane Jette at 802-656-3252 or diane.jette@uvm.edu. If you have any questions regarding the protection of human subjects, please contact Nancy Stalnaker, the Director of the Research Protections Office at the University of Vermont at 802-656-5040.


Sincerely, Diane U. Jette, PT, DSC