Should APTA membership be mandatory?

[jjjDPT]

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There is no doubt that if all PT's paid membership dues that the APTA would have much stronger lobbying power. I would like to hear others' thoughts on why or why not APTA membership should be mandatory.

 

[PTMattI]

I do know that a lot of clinics are pulling their support of the APTA. Give this a read: http://www.evidenceinmotion.com/blo...issidents-in-physicaltherapy-and-its-working/

Personally, I dont think it should be mandatory. I believe the APTA has to demonstrate to PTs that membership is worth their while. I believe if it is made mandatory, the APTA and the board will take the members for granted. Just my thoughts.

 

[NewTestament]

NO. An emphatic no. You cannot force people to join organizations. The APTA should be completely voluntary. The only people who should join are enthusiastic therapists who want to advance the profession. Apathetic or indifferent therapists should not apply.

 

[Azimuthal]

Hmmm...depends, will they stop selling my contact info to "strategic partners" so that I will stop receiving these credit card offers, etc., if they had enough members? lol... Could have sworn I checked the NO box.

 

[Azimuthal]

I do know that a lot of clinics are pulling their support of the APTA. Give this a read: http://www.evidenceinmotion.com/blo...issidents-in-physicaltherapy-and-its-working/

Personally, I dont think it should be mandatory. I believe the APTA has to demonstrate to PTs that membership is worth their while. I believe if it is made mandatory, the APTA and the board will take the members for granted. Just my thoughts.

What's wrong with the PTCPS? The EIM article does not really explain much.

 

[NewDPT31]

So $295 for national membership and $200 Illinois membership. So basically $500 a year. I still got $200k in Loans, and I don't really agree with them on some things. Nope.

 

[Azimuthal]

So $295 for national membership and $200 Illinois membership. So basically $500 a year. I still got $200k in Loans, and I don't really agree with them on some things. Nope.

$200k is a lot, and I'm with you about not agreeing with some of the direction the APTA has taken. Turning a blind eye to accreditation standards with CAPTE isn't helping their case with me either. Been a member for 3 years now and am considering to discontinue. If I keep going I'll look into their new professional rates.

 

[engmedpt]

$200k is a lot, and I'm with you about not agreeing with some of the direction the APTA has taken. Turning a blind eye to accreditation standards with CAPTE isn't helping their case with me either. Been a member for 3 years now and am considering to discontinue. If I keep going I'll look into their new professional rates.

How were you a member if you were in school this whole time? You just started practicing. You can do that?

 

[a7rcana]

How were you a member if you were in school this whole time? You just started practicing. You can do that?

You can get a student membership. I am just finishing my 1st year in DPT school and I am a member of the APTA, our program covers the cost of joining and helps to send us to conferences.

 

[Azimuthal]

How were you a member if you were in school this whole time? You just started practicing. You can do that?

Student membership is required in my program.

 

[engmedpt]

You can get a student membership. I am just finishing my 1st year in DPT school and I am a member of the APTA, our program covers the cost of joining and helps to send us to conferences.

Interesting....Id be game if its covered. Beats explaining direct access, why HH is good, and how PT can cut future healthcare costs at the bar LOL

Student membership is required in my program.

...They cover it though like the above right?

 

[Azimuthal]

Interesting....Id be game if its covered. Beats explaining direct access, why HH is good, and how PT can cut future healthcare costs at the bar LOL



...They cover it though like the above right?

Not really, it comes with the guise that it's covered but in actuality it's just lumped into student loans.

 

[jquitt]

Absolutely not in my opinion. I'll be a first year DPT student starting in August. I was quite bothered by the fact that my program required that we join as students. It wasn't a part of our tuition but they made it clear that a student membership was mandatory because we use the guide to physical therapy practice tool that comes with the membership during our curriculum. Don't see how that validates the requirement

 

[engmedpt]

Absolutely not in my opinion. I'll be a first year DPT student starting in August. I was quite bothered by the fact that my program required that we join as students. It wasn't a part of our tuition but they made it clear that a student membership was mandatory because we use the guide to physical therapy practice tool that comes with the membership during our curriculum. Don't see how that validates the requirement

Theyre trying to get people to support and gain student lobbying power I assume.

 

[jquitt]

Theyre trying to get people to support and gain student lobbying power I assume.

Oh I'm definitely sure that is the reason, but you have to consider the ethics. It's not something I'd argue about to my program going in at all, but I don't agree with it personally.

 

[engmedpt]

Oh I'm definitely sure that is the reason, but you have to consider the ethics. It's not something I'd argue about to my program going in at all, but I don't agree with it personally.

I get what you're saying. Keep in mind: You're already doing a degree that has a public perception goal, legitimacy goal, and legal goals depending on the state.....while you're being trained to approach practice in a specific way that many PTs have picked up throughout the decades with an EBP focus. you might as well make the most of the forced lobbying. It can only help you after you're out....even if you don't want professional involvement.

 

[jquitt]

I get what you're saying. Keep in mind: You're already doing a degree that has a public perception goal, legitimacy goal, and legal goals depending on the state.....while you're being trained to approach practice in a specific way that many PTs have picked up throughout the decades with an EBP focus. you might as well make the most of the forced lobbying. It can only help you after you're out....even if you don't want professional involvement.

You make a fair point, and I'll consider making the most of the situation as you've suggested. I just like to know that I'm 100% sold on an organization before I join. Instead of making it a requirement, why not just introduce it to students and explain why joining is beneficial? APTA H.Q. is close to my program , so why not ask a rep to come in and speak? Just better ways of going about it. Especially considering tuition doesn't cover it.

 

[SympatheticTrunk]

being an APTA member is "optional" in my program, but in the professionalism class we had to take in the first semester we had to do several modules through the APTA which are free for members and cost money for non-members. The cost of the membership was less than the cost of all the classes we had to take.

 

[jjjDPT]

Yes, most DPT programs require or encourage membership. But I'm really talking about licensed PT's. Only 30% of licensed PT's are members.

Some other health care professionals such as SLP's and AudD's must be members of their national professional organization to be licensed to practice.

 

[jquitt]

Yes, most DPT programs require or encourage membership. But I'm really talking about licensed PT's. Only 30% of licensed PT's are members.

Some other health care professionals such as SLP's and AudD's must be members of their national professional organization to be licensed to practice.

I'd be curious to know if other health professions with stronger pull have better percentages of memberships in their respective national organizations.

 

[jjjDPT]

I'd be curious to know if other health professions with stronger pull have better percentages of memberships in their respective national organizations.

The ACA has 50% membership...

 

[NewTestament]

I'd be curious to know if other health professions with stronger pull have better percentages of memberships in their respective national organizations.

I know the rate is high for pharmacy, but I'm not sure if it's enforced. Fortunately PT is not like SLP where membership is enforced. Talk about a bunch of Commies!

 

[engmedpt]

Yes, most DPT programs require or encourage membership. But I'm really talking about licensed PT's. Only 30% of licensed PT's are members.

Some other health care professionals such as SLP's and AudD's must be members of their national professional organization to be licensed to practice.

The ACA has 50% membership...[/QUOTE]


Yes!!! This! This! That's why they're so strong. Have you seen some of their marketing? Jesus! It's terrifying! Yet, they have participation so they have an upperhand over Dpt EBP from what I hear when it comes to legal rights

 

[engmedpt]

I know the rate is high for pharmacy, but I'm not sure if it's enforced. Fortunately PT is not like SLP where membership is enforced. Talk about a bunch of Commies!

Didn't know that

 

[Azimuthal]

Yes, most DPT programs require or encourage membership. But I'm really talking about licensed PT's. Only 30% of licensed PT's are members.

Some other health care professionals such as SLP's and AudD's must be members of their national professional organization to be licensed to practice.

If only 30% of PT's choose to be APTA members, is that an issue with individual PT's, or with the APTA? Hmmm...

I don't complain about my Amazon Prime membership. The APTA can take a few lessons and learn how to connect with their professionals.