Direct Access, Direct Impact: How Unrestricted PT Access Reduces Low Back Pain Costs and Utilization

Course Description

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly health conditions in the United States, affecting approximately 70% of individuals at least once in their lifetime. Care patterns — including who patients see first — can significantly influence healthcare utilization, cost, and patient outcomes.

This microlearning CEU course reviews a large retrospective cohort study examining the relationship between state-level access to physical therapist services and healthcare costs for patients with new-onset LBP. You’ll gain practical insights into how direct access laws impact costs, utilization, and care patterns, and how these findings relate to your clinical decision-making.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the prevalence and economic burden of low back pain in the U.S.
2. Explain the difference between unrestricted and provisional access to physical therapy services.
3. Summarize the study’s methodology and key findings regarding healthcare costs and utilization.
4. Identify clinical and policy implications for PT practice in different regulatory environments.

Key Topics Covered

• Epidemiology and cost burden of low back pain
• Regulatory definitions: unrestricted vs. provisional access
• Comparative cost outcomes at 30 and 90 days
• Utilization patterns (physician visits, imaging rates)
• Implications for practice and advocacy

Course Outline

1. Introduction & Background
   • LBP prevalence and costs
   • Why access models matter
2. Study Overview & Methods
   • Population & sample selection
   • Definitions of access levels
3. Results
   • Cost comparisons by pathway and access type
   • Utilization differences
4. Limitations & Considerations
   • Claims-based data challenges
   • Generalizability concerns
5. Clinical Implications & Takeaways

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Intended Audience

• Physical Therapists (PTs)
• Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs)
• Healthcare professionals interested in cost-effectiveness and policy implications of direct access

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Course Details

• Format: Asynchronous microlearning
• Estimated Time to Complete: 15–20 minutes
• CEU Credit: 0.25 CEUs (2.5 contact hours) AdjustasapplicableAdjust as applicableAdjustasapplicable
• Assessment: End-of-course quiz (passing score: 80%)
• Certificate: Available upon successful completion

Enroll Now

Take this evidence-based course and understand how direct access to PT can improve care and reduce costs for low back pain patients.