Lessons and Best Practices for Physical Therapy in Brigade Combat Team Operations.

Abstract

Physical therapists (PT) have an integral role in supporting readiness of the Army warfighter. With an increased demand for active duty PTs and the transition to Defense Health Agency (DHA), more direct commission PTs and new graduates as first lieutenants will see themselves positioned in brigade combat teams (BCT). Traditionally, this role is given to a captain due to experience. Additionally, working in a forward deployed or rotational environment brings its own challenges encountered very seldom while in garrison. For example, military treatment facility (MTF) support for outlying clinics ensures continued ease of access to care for musculoskeletal conditions. Whereas in rotational environments, battalions are spread out across large geographic regions, thereby limiting continuity of care. As a brigade (BDE) PT, finding solutions is imperative to overcome these challenges, minimize the negative consequences of limited access, and find ways to address musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions requiring care.