Collaboration to Controversy and Back Again
By Judy A. White, PT, Chair
For over
two years,
the
NCBPTE
has been
involved
with the
develop¬
ment and
processing
of rules
changes.
These rules changes were primarily
undertaken to modernize the language
of PT practice to reflect the current
practice of physical therapists and to
provide more clarification of such
areas as supervision and disciplinary
processes. Many of you attended one
of our three (3) statewide information
sessions during which you gave valu¬
able feedback and suggestions. In
addition, a public hearing was held in
Raleigh. As the Chair of NCBPTE, I
can assure both the public and the
licensees that, through the diligence
and conscientiousness of Ben Massey,
Executive Director, and John Silver-
stein, legal counsel, the rules process
met more than a minimum require¬
ment level. Publication and public
information were highly visible and
legislatively appropriate throughout
the rules process. The NCBPTE is for¬
tunate to have the commitment to
excellence that Ben and John provide.
In fact, the North Carolina Board is
recognized nationally for its standards
of excellence and efficiency!
After the proposed rules changes had
already been approved by the Rules
Review Commission in July, 2001, we
were informed in February, 2002 that
the national and state occupational
therapy community were greatly con¬
cerned about these proposed rules.
Their professional concerns were
focused primarily on what was per¬
ceived as an attempt to “greatly expand
the PT scope of practice” through the
rules process. Many of you may have
been challenged by your co-workers
about an expansion of PT practice. I
suggest that this was truly the crux of
the controversy presented by the
North Carolina Occupational Therapy
Association (NCOTA). As we commu¬
nicated to them, I communicate to you
now: these rules are NOT an expan¬
sion of the scope of PT practice. The
NCOTA was able to present their con¬
cerns to the North Carolina Joint Leg¬
islative Administrative Procedure
Oversight Committee (JLAPOC) in
March and we were able to respond
about their concerns to the JLAPOC
members. Generally, legislators prefer
to avoid “turf battles” and attempts by
professions to limit one another. In
addition, legislative action that might
reduce consumers’ choice is often not
encouraged. Fortunately for all of us,
the JLAPOC advised the two groups to
work these issues out in a collaborative
manner. Given that PTs and OTs have
worked collaboratively for most of our
professional lives, we were prepared
and ready to proceed. We knew that
collaboration, and not confrontation,
was the best method for reconciliation.
Professional licensure boards and pro¬
fessional associations have differences
that need to be understood as a part of
the negotiations process between the
NCBPTE and the NCOTA. In 1951,
the NC General Assembly created the
NCBPTE to administer and enforce
the Physical Therapy Practice Act, to
ensure minimum level of competence,
and to exercise disciplinary authority
over licensees when their competence
is below the minimum level required
to protect the public. Indeed our pur¬
pose is to protect the public health,
safety, and welfare. A professional
association consists of voluntary
members and is generally committed
to the needs and interests of its mem¬
bers and profession. The NCBPTE
does not participate in legislative lob¬
bying activities, whereas a professional
association, such as the NCPTA or
NCOTA could actively participate in
legislative change activities. A1 though
these differences between the NCBPTE
and the NCOTA did not prevent reso¬
lution, it was important to under¬
standing what limitations each group
had relative to legislative activities.
After several meetings and a change
proposed by the NCOTA, we were
indeed able to move beyond the con¬
troversy and reach a consensual agree¬
ment. We were able to return to our
previous state of collaboration and
fully focus on working together to
serve those who benefit from the col¬
laborative services that OT’s and PT’s
provide. I especially want to thank
Lynn Losada, President of NCOTA, for
her role in facilitating a responsible
approach to our resolution.
Now it is your responsibility to further
facilitate the transition from con¬
frontation to collaboration. Be willing
to correct the existing misinformation
or erroneous perceptions. Resume
your previous professional relation¬
ships in which PTs and OTs work in
common and collaboratively to help
individuals gain maximum function
and improve their quality of life. It is
time to move forward with the public
once again at the center. If you have
more questions or concerns about this
issue, please do not hesitate to com¬
municate with Ben or myself. We are
anxious to rectify misperceptions and
to reconvene a positive atmosphere of
collegiality.
