Observational studyThe Journal of manual & manipulative therapy2025
Ordering of diagnostic imaging by physical therapists: a multi-center analysis of successful implementation.
Observational study in The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Diagnostic and Procedural Imaging Curricula in Musculoskeletal Physical Therapist Residency and Fellowship Education.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy · 2026Article
- Perspectives of Physical Therapists in Saudi Arabia on radiological interpretation: attitudes, engagement, and educational needs.BMC medical education · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThe profession of physical therapy in the United States has evolved significantly since the American Physical Therapy Association introduced Vision 2020, advocating for consumers' direct access to physical therapy services. As the use of direct access expands, it becomes essential to examine successful models and resources, such as those that allow physical therapist referral for diagnostic imaging. This study aims to report the utilization, appropriateness, and reimbursement for diagnostic imaging referrals made by physical therapists during routine care across multiple health care organizations.
methodsThis study was a retrospective observational study of patients seeking care for neuromusculoskeletal conditions at ambulatory physical therapy clinics at three healthcare organizations. Data from each organization related to physical therapist referral for diagnostic imaging was reviewed to determine utilization rate, appropriateness, and reimbursement. American College of Radiology (ACR) criteria were used to determine appropriateness of diagnostic imaging referral.
resultsSeventy-five physical therapists signed 596 referrals for diagnostic imaging during 61,012 episodes of routine care. The utilization rate was 9.8 diagnostic imaging referrals per 1000 episodes of care. Ninety-one percent of the referrals were consistent with evidence based ACR guidelines and deemed appropriate. There were no instances of insurance denial when a physical therapist signed the referral for diagnostic imaging.
conclusionPhysical therapists with privileges to directly refer for diagnostic imaging did so judiciously and followed ACR guidelines when referring patients for imaging. The absence of insurance reimbursement claim denial contrasts a common concern about physical therapist referral for diagnostic imaging. Physical therapists referred for appropriate imaging studies and are unlikely to contribute to diagnostic imaging overutilization.
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