When must a physical therapist refer a patient to a practitioner of record?

A physical therapist must refer a patient to a practitioner of record if the condition is outside the scope of physical therapy because it is essential for ensuring patients receive appropriate care. The physical therapy practice has defined boundaries based on the skills and treatments that therapists are trained to administer.

Should a patient's condition require medical interventions, diagnoses, or treatments that fall beyond these boundaries, a referral becomes necessary. This maintains the standard of care and safeguards patient safety by ensuring that individuals with more complex health issues receive the comprehensive evaluation and treatment from a licensed healthcare provider trained to handle those specific conditions.

The other scenarios, such as referring for chronic conditions, patient requests, or dissatisfaction, do not automatically necessitate a referral under the established laws and rules concerning physical therapy practice in Florida. Referrals are specifically dictated by the capability of the physical therapist to effectively treat the patient's condition, highlighting the importance of working within one's professional scope.