APTA's Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry has taken another step in the development of resources that will provide "a continuous feedback loop" for the physical therapy profession—this time, by way of a clinical "module" focused on torticollis.

Recently the association signed an agreement with the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy to collaborate on the creation and integration of a congenital muscular torticollis module within the Registry. The module will be based on the academy’s clinical practice guideline on the topic.

In Registry terminology, a “module” is a set of data elements that describe and risk-adjust process-of-care and clinical outcomes for a defined patient population. These condition- or disease-specific data elements are based on evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and will help refine the way outcomes data is analyzed and interpreted for specific populations. Modules will build on the current functions of the Registry, which collects a core set of patient and outcomes data from an electronic health record.

The torticollis module will include more granular information, such as description of the type of cranial deformity, right side or left side of the head, and torticollis severity, among other factors. Analyzing a large amount of this data will help describe typical physical therapist practice patterns, variations in care, and the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions in different types of patients—all key elements in the Registry's mission to amass outcomes data to inform practice and enhance research.

“This is the Registry’s first module agreement with an APTA section, and we look forward to more such collaborations in the future,” said James Irrgang, PT, PhD, ATC, FAPTA, scientific director of the Registry’s Scientific Advisory Panel. “The process of care and clinical outcomes data from modules will provide a continuous feedback loop not only for physical therapists but for guideline developers.”

APTA is working with other sections to develop guideline-based modules in other areas, such as shoulder pain and neck pain.

For more information about participating in the Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry and how sections can play an integral role in module development, visit www.ptoutcomes.com.