ED PT Practice: Foundations for Emergency Department Care

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Video Runtime: 50 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 31 Minutes

This course explores the emerging and essential role of physical therapists in the emergency department (ED) setting, highlighting how PTs contribute to patient care, system efficiency, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As emergency departments face increasing demand, limited resources, and evolving patient needs, physical therapists are uniquely positioned to address musculoskeletal conditions, assist with triage, and reduce unnecessary admissions and diagnostic imaging. This course provides foundational knowledge of PT practice in the ED, including its history, distinct clinical features, and alignment with ED workflows and metrics. Applicable to physical therapists working in hospital-based or freestanding EDs, urgent care, disaster response, or other interdisciplinary acute care settings, this course prepares clinicians to understand and navigate the high-stakes, fast-paced ED environment.

Learning Objectives

Distinguish emergency department physical therapy (ED PT) from traditional outpatient and acute care models
Examine key structural and cultural elements of the emergency department that impact therapy service delivery
Relate the role of physical therapists to interdisciplinary team dynamics within the ED environment
Interpret emergency department metrics to identify opportunities for therapy integration

Course Series
This course is part of a six part series on Emergency Department PT practice:

Meet your instructor

A woman with long wavy brown hair in a gray top stands against a white background, representing medbridge digital healthcare.

Rebekah Griffith

Dr. Rebekah Griffith specializes in emergency department care. Dr. Griffith believes physical therapist practice in the emergency department is a critical way to move upstream in healthcare, supporting patients during their most critical moments. Dr. Griffith has been an invited lecturer, a regular presenter, a podcast guest,…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. From Concept to Clinical: The Evolution of ED PT

This chapter traces the history and development of physical therapy in emergency departments, from early implementation to formal recognition by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). It highlights the unique features that differentiate ED PT from inpatient acute care and outpatient care and outlines how the model has expanded in response to system demands. Understanding the roots and trajectory of ED PT provides vital context for clinicians seeking to advance or initiate care in these settings.

2. Understanding the Emergency Department Ecosystem

This chapter provides an overview of current trends and operational challenges in emergency departments, including increased patient volume, longer wait times, and greater care complexity. It emphasizes the importance of understanding ED flow, triage systems, and patient demographics to ensure the safe and effective integration of PT services. Clinicians will learn how adapting to the ED pace and culture enhances team dynamics and optimizes patient outcomes.

3. Systems and Structure: How the ED Operates

Focusing on team structure, workflow, and system metrics, this chapter examines how physical therapists fit into and enhance ED operations. It addresses collaboration models, communication pathways, and the impact of PT on outcomes such as throughput, length of stay, and patient satisfaction. By aligning PT interventions with ED performance goals, clinicians can demonstrate value and foster sustainable integration within the emergency care team.

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