Role of the PTA

• PTAs use clinical reasoning and critical thinking to select the most appropriate therapeutic exercise. Effective decision-making is based on:
• the plan of care (selected interventions and goals)
• integrating specific direction from the supervising PT
• applying knowledge of precautions and contraindications
• applying knowledge of health status, body systems, related structures and tissue healing properties
• applying knowledge of motor learning principles
• consideration of personal factors (e.g., patient's age, ability to participate, motivation, cognitive status, etc.)
• evaluating the patient response (physiological, observation, behavior)
• consideration of environmental factors (e.g., discharge plan and setting, resources, work/home demands, etc.
• communicating barriers and outcomes to the supervising PT
• PTAs educate patients and clients in the frequency, duration, and methods of therapeutic exercise for injury management and prevention