APA Vision 2020 Summary

The current APTA Vision statement, adopted in 2013, succeeds that of Vision 2020. Both vision statements centered around optimizing patient health care. Vision 2020 was more therapist-focused as it viewed physical therapists as professional practitioners in the health care field. It strived towards the ability for patients/clients to receive direct access to that care related to movement, function, and health. (APTA 2015) Shifting the focus, the current APTA vision statement became: “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.” (APTA 2015) The brief 10-worded statement has three key points that draw a profound meaning in the physical therapy profession.

Transforming society means shifting the focus of physical therapy to embrace cultural competence and adjusting to the patient’s needs. It helps bring on a transformative approach in the field to shift or break existing negative paradigms of oppression or discrimination. This would allow me, as a future clinician, to improve self-awareness and reflect on my attitude towards my clients. Knowing that the patients I will treat all come from different backgrounds, it’s important that I am aware of the differences and

This key concept drives physical therapy to be patient-centered and underlies what the practice ultimately is. Looking at the patient as more than just a symptom will allow their treatments to have a more profound effect on their lives, beyond the clinic’s walls. I want to be able to grow as a professional in that aspect of putting the patient first by including them in their treatment and facilitate in their well-being when it comes to movement. I want to project that quality of care to each patient and help conjure up a vision that they will strive for. This would only allow continued growth as a future physical therapist; not only as a professional but an advocate for the