Underused Physical Therapy Services in Primary Care Settings: An Overview

Abstract

The combined effects of longer life, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries increase the need for rehabilitation services. Although physical therapists’ unique skill set on movement-related dysfunction allows for broad contributions to health care, physical therapy (PT) remains underutilized. This article situates the problem within the broader primary care context, focusing on PT’s ability to mitigate disability and dysfunction in complex syndromes including pelvic floor incontinence, vertigo, cancer, chronic neuromusculoskeletal pain, and long coronavirus disease (ie, lingering effects after acute coronavirus disease infection passes). The path from PT research to clinical implementation remains dependent on factors beyond research evidence. This overview underscores the need to address this evidence to practice gap.