The Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is planned for February 9 to 12 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and more than 7,100 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy are scheduled to attend.

"Despite the many economic challenges facing the nation, the demand of physical therapists continues to grow," says APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD. Our record-breaking CSM attendance is one of many examples that truly exemplifies the increase in demand and growth of the profession." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2006 and 2016 the physical therapist profession is expected to grow by 27%.

Program highlights include:

  • The Continuum of Care for People with Lifelong Disabilities: Understanding the Issues and Forging New Pathways for Physical Therapists, on Feb 10
  • Pauline Cerasoli lecture, "Physical Therapy: A Profession of Purpose, Promise, Potential, and Power," focusing on where the profession has been and where it is going, on Feb 11
  • Linda D. Crane lecture, "The Patient Puzzle: Piecing it Together," featuring Mary P. Massery, PT, DPT, on Feb 10
  • Eugene Michels Researchers’ Forum 2009: Pain and Physical Therapy Practice: Preconceptions, Misconceptions, and New Directions, featuring Maureen J. Simmonds, PT, PhD, and Michael John L. Sullivan, PhD, who will discuss the challenges of understanding, measuring, and managing pain and its impact, on Feb 12

The event will showcase more than 550 exhibitors.

APTA sections represented at the meeting are: Acute Care/Hospital Clinical Practice, Aquatic Physical Therapy, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management, Education, Geriatrics, Hand Rehabilitation, Health Policy and Administration, Home Health, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, Private Practice, Research, Sports Physical Therapy, Veteran’s Affairs, and Women’s Health. For more information, visit www.apta.org/csm.

[Source: APTA]