Advancing physical therapy practice: the accountable practitioner.

We are excited to introduce 2 special issues in the Journal that feature articles relevant to direct access physical therapist practice. The rationale for covering these topics in the physical therapy literature is clear: the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA’s) Vision 2020 states that, ‘‘By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health.’’ To achieve this goal, APTA’s Board of Directors suggests that we should focus our efforts on 5 key areas: professionalism, direct access, the doctor of physical therapy, evidence-based practice, and practitioner of choice. Because a majority of first professional degree programs have now transitioned to the professional doctoral degree and physical therapists can provide direct access care in 39 states, it is clear that we are quickly moving toward the Vision 2020. However, it would be helpful to reflect on where we are as a profession and what it is, exactly, that we want in our journey toward the goals set forth by our national organization.