What is the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy’s ‘Position Paper’?

This document supports the ANPT position to emphasize the use of the best available evidence and research in the treatment of adults with acute-onset movement disorders following neurological injury. After decades of debate over the different treatment methods, the ANPT Board of Directors felt it was time to provide a statement as to ANPT's position for the membership. To explore further, please visit this link. 

What is Knowledge Translation?  

The Canadian Institute of Health defines Knowledge Translation as a “dynamic and iterative process that included synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of (the population), provide more effective health service and products and strengthens the health care system”.  It provides a framework to help clinicians with intervention strategies with the goal of changing clinician behavior to adopt best practice interventions to their patients. To explore further, please visit this link. 

What are Clinical Practice Guidelines?

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) are graded recommendations on best practice for a specific condition based on the systematic review and evaluation of the quality of the scientific literature.  These documents are defined by a stringent methodology and formal process for development.  Clinical practice guidelines are required to bridge the gap between evidence and recommendation and are comprised of both evidence-based and expert-based information to guide clinical practice decision-making. Although variation can exist, all must meet standard criteria and follow a defined policy and procedure.  The Director of Knowledge Synthesis works with the Evidence-based Documents Committee to identify CPG topics, formulate CPG work groups, and oversee the development of a CPG.  When a CPG is close to completion the Practice Committee creates and oversees a Knowledge Translation (KT) taskforce that works for 1-2 years to create tools, processes and strategies for dissemination, implementation of the CPG. If you’d like to know more, please visit this link.

What is an ANPT Task Force?

A Task Force in the ANPT is comprised of a group of volunteers who are appointed to work on a specific project.  Please contact the chair of a Task Force if you have a question or concern about their work. Multiple Task Forces exist and you can find them here.

What are EDGE documents?

Based on feedback from two Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy efforts (the regional course Neurologic Practice Essentials: A Functional Toolbox and the Consensus Guidelines for Entry-level Education), the Academy has supported the development of recommendations for outcome measure used in clinical practice, research, and entry level physical therapist education.  Currently, the Academy has completed recommendations for use of outcome measures in people with stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.  If you’d like to know more, please visit this link.

What are Special Interest Groups of the ANPT?

Special Interest Groups provide a forum to discuss advances in practice and the challenges of patient care within these specialty areas. Only members of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy can join any of the special interest groups (SIGs). These SIGs were developed to provide an avenue for networking with physical therapists expressing the same clinical interests. To explore all the SIGs have to offer, please visit this link.