Rehab Net invited you to Join Us for this outstanding seminar on April 18, 2026, 8:00am - 4:00pm

6.0 Contact hours

Primary Care Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities:

Medical Screening and Diagnostic Imaging

William Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAAOMPT, FAPTA

Description:

More and more therapists are being integrated into primary care models with roles and responsibilities rapidly evolving. These opportunities are tied to the adoption of less-restricted direct access practice act/rules and regulation language and the increasing ability of therapists to refer patients directly for imaging. The APTA House of Delegates recently approved primary care as an area of specialty practice and for residency education programs. A key element of primary care practice is the ability to triage patients across the lifespan, rapidly screening patients for needed referral.

Attendees:

While primarily aimed at physical therapists, this course is may also be attended by physical therapist assistants and occupational therapists.

This course will provide an overview of “Do Not Want To Miss” medical conditions germane to multiple patient populations and practice settings, including the red flag warning signs and validated clinical guidelines therapists can use to identify patients who require physician expertise. In addition, the relevance of diagnostic imaging to clinical practice will be highlighted including clinical decision-making tools designed to promote appropriate referral for imaging, imaging gold standards for common musculoskeletal conditions and how imaging findings may impact patients’ plans of care. Patient cases will provide clinical context to the lecture material.

Objectives: At the completion of the course participants will be able to:

1.        Compare and contrast therapists’ and physicians’ medical screening roles and responsibilities.

2.        Describe medical screening red flags and validated clinical guidelines associated with serious medical conditions.

3.        Appropriately identify patients requiring urgent medical care

4.        Describe the relevance of diagnostic imaging to clinical practice and the value of clinicians having the ability to refer patients directly for imaging.

5.        Determine when diagnostic imaging is indicated for common musculoskeletal conditions.

6.        Employ strategies to facilitate professional communication between therapists and physicians and therapists and patients; including when, how and what to communicate as part of a patient referral

Bio:

William Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAAOMPT, FAPTA

William Boissonnault is Professor-Emeritus University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Orthopedics. He is a self-employed clinician, consultant and educator, including holding several adjunct faculty positions teaching medical screening and imaging. Previous positions include Executive Staff, APTA from 2015-2021. He has received the following academic degrees: BSPT University of Wisconsin-Madison; MS and DHSc -University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and t-DPT MGH Institute of Health Professions.

Dr. Boissonnault has presented nationally and internationally, and has multiple publications on primary care, direct access, medical screening and diagnostic imaging.  He recently completed the 4^th edition of the textbook titled; Primary Care for the Physical Therapist, Examination and Triage. 

Dr. Boissonnault has served as President of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from 1995-2001, and of the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research from 2010-2015. He currently serves as APTA WI’s Practice Committee co-chair and Leadership Development Committee co-chair, and serves on APTA SC’s Legislative Committee.  He has received APTA’s Lucy Blair Service Award, AOPT’s  Paris Distinguished Service Award, APTA Academy of Education Distinguished Educator Award, AAOMPT’s Mennell Service award and was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA.

Tickets

$0.00 Rehab Net Member Registration

$199.00 Non Member Registration