Answer

  • 1. Gain informed consent from the patient
    • Explain the scope of physiotherapy versus the scope of another support personnel
  • 2. Evaluate the competency of the physiotherapy assistant for the skill/treatment needed for the patient.
    • If they feel they are comfortable performing this action, allow them to demonstrate their skill, if upon asking they seem confused or seem to have more questions, move to the next step
    • If you feel they are competent, assign them the task and document. If not, continue to 3.
  • 3. Educate them on the skill by demonstrating and educating them on adverse reactions and how consent can be revoked.
    • For ultrasound therapy, you should consistently move the ultrasound head in a clockwise circle making sure to move in an area large enough that it does not overlap.
    • Ensure you teach the PTA the proper settings
      • Thermal: 3MHz, 5 minutes, 1.0W/cm2, 100% continuous 
      • Non-thermal: 3MHZ, 5 minutes, 1.0W/cm2, 20% pulsed 
  • 4. Allow them to ask questions
  • 5. Assess their execution of the skill. 
  • 6. If they are not competent, do not assign them a task, but perhaps allow them to shadow you.
  • 7. If they are competent, assign the task and document who the support personnel is, what the date/time is, what skill they are performing (ultrasound), the frequency of treatment (every session before you see them, at the non-thermal setting) and how to contact you if any adverse reactions occur or if consent is revoked.