Skip to main content

The Research Agenda for Physical Therapy expands on our profession's continued advancement and considers current issues, new innovations, and forward-thinking viewpoints. The research agenda outlines research priorities that are vital to advancing physical therapist practice and the profession. The development of the research agenda included multiple iterative steps and feedback from stakeholders.

The agenda has 6 key areas of focus: population health research, mechanistic research, clinical research, education and professional development research, health services research, and workforce research. Researchers, funding agencies, and public policy makers can use the research agenda to concentrate research efforts around these areas.

For more on the development of the research agenda, go to PTJ Article page.

View the APTA Research Agenda infographic below or download the full infographic PDF.

Graphic: APTA research agenda

Download


You Might Also Like...

Article

Continuing the Fight: APTA Advances Medicare Payment Reform

Jun 10, 2026

Advocacy continues for meaningful Medicare payment reform as APTA advances a coordinated strategy across Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid

Article

Physical Therapy in the News: May 2026

Jun 3, 2026

"Physical Therapy in the News" is a monthly series that highlights recent media coverage of the profession and APTA members. 

Column

President's Note | What It Means to Be Your Professional Home

Jun 1, 2026

In this issue of APTA Magazine, we focus on the second pillar of APTA's Strategic Framework for 2030: Empowering Our Members. The goal of this pillar?