Comments on: Drugs anyone?

Question: Drugs anyone?

DJWeezy — Wed, 23 May 2007 08:41:38 -0800

Do physical therpists prescribe drugs? I have been trying to google this for the last 20 minutes. My freind is going in to physical therapy in college and I am sure my grandpa's physical theraist prescibed him things but she claims she wont be able to. can someone please settle this.

By: bitdamaged

bitdamaged — Wed, 23 May 2007 08:55:19 -0800

Wikipedia

By: toxic

toxic — Wed, 23 May 2007 09:16:56 -0800

The physical therapist (the person), is usually not a doctor (or PA or NP) and does not have the authority to write a prescription.

The physical therapy practice (the office) may include a doctor on staff, or be part of a larger practice which includes doctors. Obviously, those doctors can (assuming they've seen the patient).

When I had my MCL repaired, the physical therapist that I saw worked in the same office as the orthopedist that I saw. During the course of physical therapy, my orthopedist did write me a prescription during one of my appointments with the therapist.

But no, a physical therapist does not prescribe drugs themselves.

By: jlkr

jlkr — Wed, 23 May 2007 09:22:55 -0800

If your grandpa's PT prescribed meds for your grandpa, then s/he is almost certainly certified as more than a PT. Most PTs are only PTs, and most states do not allow PTs to prescribe meds. If your grandpa's PT is also a registered practical nurse or physician's assistant (or a medical intern) then s/he can write a 'script for some meds. It's also possible that while your grandpa's PT suggested the 'script that there is an actual doctor on the clinic staff who signed off on the prescription.

By: docpops

docpops — Wed, 23 May 2007 09:54:25 -0800

A PT cannot prescribe.

By: Kadin2048

Kadin2048 — Wed, 23 May 2007 11:11:30 -0800

There are some states where there are efforts currently ongoing to have this changed, and let PTs dispense medication in certain situations (I think with standing authorization from a physician, similar to how Paramedics do it), right now they can't usually dispense meds, and definitely can't write their own Rxes.

By: tiamat

tiamat — Wed, 23 May 2007 12:29:07 -0800

When I was in physical therapy my therapist gave me a note for a prescrition muscle relaxant - which I then took to the medical clinic where the doctor gave me a 5-10 minute quiz to ensure there wasn't a contraindication (allergy, other meds, whatever) and then signed off on the meds.

I think it's quite common from therapists to recommend certain types of drugs or pain killers, but it's the doc who actually makes it into a prescription.

By: violetk

violetk — Wed, 23 May 2007 12:57:24 -0800

i may be just making this up but i believe that one actually must have an MD to be able to prescribe drugs.