There's been a lot of confusion and concern over a recent release from the APTA on the use of chaperones in pelvic health.

This new document surprised a lot of us when it came out in January.  Among some important changes in the document were:

• Redefining chaperone as 'a member of the health care team' and specifically excludes family members or friends from acting as chaperones
• Recommending asking the patient if they would like a medical chaperone at each visit and documenting their answer
• The inability for a pelvic physical therapist to provide the first vaginal or rectal examination for a minor patient, regardless of consent or situation.

These are obviously - if they were implemented and followed - monumental changes in our field.  These recommendations are impossible for small businesses or solopreneurs to comply with.  They would eliminate pelvic physical therapy in in-home settings (obviously you aren't having a chaperone 'ride-along' to each patient's house!).  And they could make it financially impossible for even large hospitals to pay for enough medical chaperones, causing programs to close (or never open) and reducing access to care.

In response, we gathered some comments from the Pelvic PT/OT Entrepreneurs group - thanks to all that contributed - and added our own concerns.  We then sent these on to the APTA.

To their credit, they responded quickly - and it looks like in a very positive way.  They have promised changes to this document and the entire process by which these position statements are created, including:

• Removing the definition of 'chaperone' as only a member of the health care team and allowing the patient's family and friends to serve as a chaperone if desired.
• Adding legal language meant to future guidelines to make it clear they are only suggestions and providing additional legal support for clinicians
• Adding a 30-day comment period to future publications to avoid similar issues in the future.

We'll have to see when the new guidelines come out, but wanted to pass on the update and changes!

Business Resources

If you're starting or growing a cash-based pelvic health practice, we've got some great resources for you!  We've helped more than 200 practices take off in markets across the country.  From business courses, handouts and resources to true business mentorship in our Rising program, we've got something that can help.  Check out all our Business Resources (www.pelvicptrising.com/business) and fill out the Entrepreneur Survey there!

About Us

Nicole and Jesse Cozean founded Pelvic PT Rising to provide clinical and business resources to physical therapists to change the way we treat pelvic health.   PelvicSanity Physical Therapy together in 2016.  It grew quickly into one of the largest cash-based physical therapy practices in the country.

Through Pelvic PT Rising, Nicole has created clinical courses (www.pelvicptrising.com/clinical) to help pelvic health providers gain confidence in their skills an

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Learn more at www.pelvicptrising.com, follow Nicole @nicolecozeandpt (www.instagram.com/nicolecozeandpt) or reach out via email ([email protected]).

Check out our Clinical Courses, Business Resources and learn more about us at Pelvic PT Rising...Let's Continue to Rise!