APTA continues to assemble a collection of free, easy-to-download podcasts that deliver plenty of variety, from personal stories that remind you of why you love what you do, to nuts-and-bolts information that could be crucial to your professional survival.
Where to start? Here are some suggestions—but you can also check out APTA's podcasts webpage to browse an extensive list of offerings.
Podcasts that inspire
A recent example: "A Journey Out of Pain and Addiction, and a PT's Crucial Role"
What it's about: In his keynote address for the 2019 APTA NEXT Conference and Exhibition, US Army Master Sergeant (Retired) Justin Minyard recounted the injuries he received during rescue attempts first at the Pentagon during the 9-11 attacks and then while on a mission in Afghanistan. But the heart of Minyard's story is about what happened afterward: the multiple fusion and other surgeries, the intense pain, his slide into addiction, and his eventual freedom from opioids. He readily acknowledges that his recovery was thanks in large part to the work of an interprofessional team that included a dedicated physical therapist (PT).
Why you should listen: Minyard's brutal honesty and his ability to tell a story with both humor and pathos pull you in from the start. And the gratitude he has for his PT—he describes her as not just his physical therapist "but my psychologist, my sounding board, my marriage counselor, my educator of my options, and my kick in the ass"—will remind you of why you love the profession.
More inspiration: APTA's "Defining Moment" podcast series is the audio companion to PT in Motion magazine's regular feature of the same name, which highlights stories from members about those moments when they felt that special—often life-changing—connection to the physical therapy profession. [Editor's note: If you want to share your defining moment, contact Associate Editor Eric Ries at ericries@apta.org.] For inspiration you can share with your patients, the popular Move Forward Radio is your go-to option: an interview series that features patients, PTs, and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) discussing physical therapy's role in a wide range of issues. Recent podcasts include explorations of physical therapy and people with Alzheimer's disease, foot health, and the treatment of pelvic pain in people who are transgender.
Podcasts that energize
A recent example: Just about any podcast from the APTA Pulse series
What they're about: Some of the liveliest discussion in the profession is taking place at the student level, and the APTA Pulse series of blogs and podcasts brings that energy to you. The Pulse podcast series features mostly students, with the occasional more-seasoned PT, PTA, or other expert. Notable podcasts include "Failure Is a Bruise, Not a Tattoo," "Stereotype Threat," and "Healthy Mental Living: Tips From a Counseling Psychologist."
Why you should listen: It's a great way to re-charge your enthusiasm for the profession.
More energy: Want more insight on the PT and PTA student perspective? APTA's Student Assembly records its "#XchangeSA" live chats, which have ranged from discussions about performance therapy and training to building your professional brand. And if you haven't read or heard it already, APTA President Sharon Dunn's address to the 2019 APTA House of Delegates will put some wind in your sails when it comes to the challenges of taking on the high cost of PT and PTA education, dismantling the productivity mindset, and making involvement in the association accessible to all.
Podcasts that inform
A recent example: "Ordering of Diagnostic Imaging by Physical Therapists: A 5-Year Retrospective Practice Analysis"
What it's about: In this interview for APTA's journal PTJ (Physical Therapy), Editor-in-Chief Allan Jette, PT, PhD, FAPTA, interviews researcher Aaron Keil, PT, DPT, about his groundbreaking study on civilian PTs who are able to order imaging.
Why you should listen: Don't be scared off by the academic-sounding title. With the growth of direct access to PT services comes more serious discussion about the PT’s role in primary care—and the importance of the PT's ability to order diagnostic imaging as a crucial part of that primary care role. It's an issue that needs to be on your professional radar.
More information: Each month PTJ produces podcasts, like the one highlighted above, that help you get a first-person perspective on some of the latest research in the profession, making the PTJ podcast page worth a regular stop.
And even more information: If you're interested in keeping up with fast-moving world of payment (particularly related to Medicare and Medicaid), don't miss APTA's "Insider Intel" recordings of its live phone-in series. You won't find Insider Intel on the association's podcast page—they're collected separately—but they're definitely worth tracking down. MIPS, SNF payment, home health rules, new payment models, the physician fee schedule—it’s all there. And you can register for upcoming live events while you're checking out the recorded ones.