APTA Podcasts

Interested in how large language models compare against clinicians? Listen as Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Yael Arbel, PT, MHA, Yoav Gimmon, PT, PhD, and Liora Shmueli, PhD, about their recently published study, which tested the performance of ChatGPT and Google Gemini against 30 physical therapists and 30 physical therapist students on 20 multiple-choice questions about vestibular rehabilitation. The authors discuss the impact of prompt engineering, the potential for studies with other large language models, and the importance of human expertise when integrating new technological tools.  Arbel, Gimmon, and Shmueli are co-authors of the article "Evaluating the Potential of Large Language Models for Vestibular Rehabilitation Education: A Comparison of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Clinicians.” Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.  

A brief introduction from the president of the academy.Corry Brinken, PT, DPT, interviewed APTA Orthopaedic President Bob Rowe, PT, DPT, DMT, MHS, at APTA CSM 2024 in Boston. Learn how Rowe says students can best prepare for a career in orthopedics. Visit the APTA Orthopaedic website to learn more about the academy. Watch a video of this interview on the APTA Magazine website.

In this episode, we check in on both state and federal advocacy efforts to prioritize patients' access to physical therapy and support PTs and PTAs throughout their careers. We look back on key wins from 2024, while also looking ahead to what the rest of 2025 might have in store. To learn more, join the APTA Advocacy Network and read more on apta.org: ·      Policy Principles for Outpatient Therapy Reform under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule·      APTA News: Congress Fails to Address Medicare Fee Schedule in Continuing Resolution·      APTA Advocacy Delivers 2 Major Wins in 2025 Fee Schedule·      Position Paper: The Prevent Interruptions In Physical Therapy Act·      Position Paper: Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act·      APTA News: APTA Chapters Fuel State-Level Wins in 2024 ·      APTA State Advocacy Map·      APTA Regulatory, Legislative, and Payment Updates Series (2025)

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Amee Seitz, PT, DPT, PhD, and Kyle Strickland, PT, DPT, about their recently published perspective, which presents a modified emergency department treatment-based classification system for low back pain with three case examples. Listen as the authors discuss the “origin story” of the algorithm, how the emergency department creates a unique setting for physical therapy, and why patients may be more open to trying nondrug treatment options.Seitz and Strickland are co-authors of the article "Application of Algorithm-Based Treatment Approach to Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department.” Read the articles on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.  

Emily Berthelette, PT, DPT, examines what it's been like on the patient side of PT services. Access the article on the APTA Magazine webpage for photos and to learn more about this episode’s speaker.

A brief introduction from the president of the academy.Brett Traeger, PT, DPT, interviewed American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy President Mike Reinold, PT, DPT, ATC, at APTA CSM in Boston. Learn what Reinold has to say about finding your niche as a sports PT and how mentorship plays a big role in their specialty.Visit the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy’s website to learn more about the academy. Watch a video of this interview on the APTA Magazine website.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Nicole Tombers, PT, DPT, about her recently published article, which used data from the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service to compare influences on applications to doctor of physical therapy programs between applicants who identified as white and applicants who identified as Black, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander. George and Tombers discuss how the DPT application is structured, what is included in a holistic narrative analysis approach, and what factors draw applicants to the field of physical therapy. Tombers is co-author of the article “Influence of Race and Ethnicity on Application to Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs.” Read the article on the PTJ website, and follow PTJ on LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Alexander Garbin, PT, DPT, PhD, and Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PT, PhD, FAPTA, about their recently published companion papers, which evaluated the effectiveness of a progressive multicomponent intervention for older adults in home health settings across three comparison groups. Listen as the authors discuss the pragmatic aspects of the trials, how the second study illustrates the importance of design and interpretation of control groups, and how early career researchers interested in conducting their own clinical trials can get started. Garbin and Stevens-Lapsley are co-authors of the articles “Progressive Multicomponent Intervention for Older Adults in Home Health Settings Following Hospitalization: Randomized Clinical Trial” and “Improving Function in Older Adults With Hospital-Associated Deconditioning: Lessons Learned Comparing a Randomized Controlled Trial to Real World Practice.” Read the articles on the PTJ  website and follow PTJ on  LinkedIn and Bluesky for more research updates.  

Gillian McLean is a forward-thinking physical therapist specializing in neurologic care, currently pursuing her PhD and serving as an assistant professor. In this engaging conversation, she discusses the unique aspects of neurologic physical therapy and the transformative impact therapists have on patients' lives. Gillian also highlights valuable resources for students eager to enter this specialty, including mentorship programs and educational materials, while sharing insights on navigating career paths within the neuro community.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Andrew Post, PT, DPT, about winning the 2024 APTA Outstanding Research Award, formerly known as the Chattanooga Research Award, for the article “Efficacy of Telehealth for Movement-Evoked Pain in People With Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy: A Noninferiority Analysis.” Post is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. They discuss why the article was chosen for the award, the article’s impact on clinical practice and future physical therapy research, and what projects the authors are working on now.The APTA Outstanding Research Award encourages the publication of outstanding physical therapy research articles, including both foundational and clinical research impacting practice and patient care. Read the article on the PTJ website and follow PTJ on LinkedIn for more research updates.