The 6th Annual Acute Care Lecture Award: Survival Is Not Enough

Abstract

The healthcare climate has changed considerably over the last several years and transformation has been forced upon the profession, regardless of our readiness to accept its consequences. An inward look into the state of acute care education and practice is in order to determine if we are appropriately positioned to bring forth and to demonstrate our value to all constituents. While our successes should be celebrated, our gaps must be identified and addressed. Pivotal decisions must occur so that our identity can be clearly articulated, priorities appropriately established, and worth be undeniably evidenced. Lest not, we risk exclusion from populations and settings that could significantly benefit from functional reconciliation by movement experts knowledgeable in the management of acute illness complicated by chronic disease.

2021 Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy Annual Lecture Award

“…• Robust acute care content that is well taught and integrated into the curriculum 5 we must insist that acute care content not be the stepchild of the curriculum, but rather be a highly valued content area led by full-time faculty with acute care expertise. Acute care physical therapy content is often outsourced to expert clinicians, who no doubt add enormous value to these courses.…”

“…PT and PTA education programs need core faculty with acute care expertise to serve as acute care educators. As Dr Ellen Wruble shared with us in her 2016 Acute Care Lecture, Survival Is Not Enough, 5 we must insist that acute care content not be the stepchild of the curriculum, but rather be a highly valued content area led by full-time faculty with acute care expertise. Acute care physical therapy content is often outsourced to expert clinicians, who no doubt add enormous value to these courses.…”