APTA Membership Dues; Who Should Pay?

[jc1981]

Hello everyone. We are doing debates at my school this semester. One of the topics is, "Should employers pay for their employee's APTA membership dues?"

There are numerous benefits that a PT business entity, such as an outpatient orthopedic clinic, would potentially receive by ensuring its staff hold membership in the APTA. For example, patients would feel they are in more capable hands knowing their therapist held membership in a professional organization. An increased perception of the clinic's professionalism would be achieved by all of its physical therapists being members of the APTA. This would lead to an increase in clientele, and subsequently an overall growth in revenue. However, it could also be argued that membership in a professional organization is the responsibility of the professional and not the employer. Therefore, physical therapists should be APTA members of their own accord.

There are many benefits that could be achieved from employers paying APTA membership dues for their employees. There are also some clear drawbacks. What do you guys think? Should employers pay membership dues, or should membership be the responsibility of each individual physical therapist? Why?

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[Myosin]

Hello everyone. We are doing debates at my school this semester. One of the topics is, "Should employers pay for their employee's APTA membership dues?"

There are numerous benefits that a PT business entity, such as an outpatient orthopedic clinic, would potentially receive by ensuring its staff hold membership in the APTA. For example, patients would feel they are in more capable hands knowing their therapist held membership in a professional organization. An increased perception of the clinic's professionalism would be achieved by all of its physical therapists being members of the APTA. This would lead to an increase in clientele, and subsequently an overall growth in revenue. However, it could also be argued that membership in a professional organization is the responsibility of the professional and not the employer. Therefore, physical therapists should be APTA members of their own accord.

There are many benefits that could be achieved from employers paying APTA membership dues for their employees. There are also some clear drawbacks. What do you guys think? Should employers pay membership dues, or should membership be the responsibility of each individual physical therapist? Why?

Two of the therapists at the clinic I observe at were just having this exact conversation on Monday and they mentioned a few of the things you said.

One thing the clinical manager said was "patients do not care if you're part of the APTA or not. They just don't care at all. It makes no difference to them". She made it seem that doesn't actually make any difference in referrals if the therapists are members or not.

Those are her words, but it doesn't seem logical to me that any patient is not going to a clinic just because of APTA memberships. Maybe if the APTA were more of a BBB version of therapy, it would be worth it.

She did mention that it can make getting CEUs much easier and cheaper in the long run, but it's not worth the price for most.

They said that everyone in their classes and their colleagues just let it run out because it doesn't seem to do anything. They also think it's not right how the APTA won't be flexible with membership dues for therapists who have families and other larger financial obligations.

The PTA said she doesn't renew her membership because her and the other PTAs feel that the APTA doesn't do enough for PTAs or even care about PTAs.

Both DPTs and both PTAs agreed that the expense was just too much and did too little for any employer or individual to ever consider continually renewing it for extended periods of time.

 

[Sheldon]

I believe all PTs and PTAs should do their best to support the APTA. This is, after all, the organization that lobbies for us. Granted, AAOMPT and state associations do this too, but most often with the help of, or in conjunction with, the APTA. If you have, as a PT, the ability to manipulate in your state, you can thank local/state PT associations and probably with the help of the APTA (and probably AAOMPT too). Also, think about direct access and other things you probably take for granted. If you can't joint the APTA because of cost, then at least send some money or give time to help with "the cause." Both my past and my present employer pay my dues; it's part of my contract. Even if they didn't, I would pay it myself.

 

[VeloDPT]

Regardless of who pays, I believe being an APTA member is absolutely necessary to the profession. Yes, it is expensive, especially as a clinician. However, one of the reasons why the price tag is so high is because few clinicians maintain their memberships after graduating PT school. In other words, if more clinicians were members, we wouldn't have to pay as much because the necessary expenses would be shared between a greater number of contributors .The APTA takes care of our profession's issues that everyday, working PTs don't have time to attend to. Do we want direct access at the state and federal level? Do we want to be able to legally perform thrust (Grade V) manipulations without being hassled in court by chiropractors? My answer to both of these questions is a resounding YES! Of course, there are a number of other political and non-political issues the APTA works to resolve and advocate for, so it is on us to provide the support, whether it comes from the pocket of the employee or the employer.

 

[TraumaPT]

It is true that, at this time, being an APTA member does not have any particular meaning for most of our clients/patients. This means that employers' impetus to pay therapists' annual dues usually falls in the same category with any other benefits and perks offered to entice employment prospects to sign on, and stay on.

Therapists who do not feel they are getting their money's worth from APTA membership are those who are not taking advantage of everything our professional organization offers. The resources are incredible - forums, listservs, journals, alerts, all that awesome CCU, and networking nationwide. Members are hotwired into the evidence we need for our evidence-based practice. (As one of my recent students said, "You're the first CI I've had who actually does evidence-based practice!" APTA is why.) It is worth every dime.

Annual dues are presently $450; that is less than $40 per month for practice act protection, a voice in CMS and other reimbursement arenas, direct access initiatives -- this is your professional future. Not to mention that you have the APTA to thank for the D in your DPT.

So step up, professional therapists, and support the organization which has done, is doing, and will do so much for you. It is not an employer's responsibility to make you the best therapist you can be. If an employer pays, terrific, but it is our responsibility as a profession to associate with one another, learn from one another, provide the best treatment for our clients and patients, and hold one another accountable.

OK, stepping off soapbox. But really, kids, join. Then go forth and use your powers for good.