Follow the money and the metrics

Learn how payment models and quality measures shape what primary care PT can do, and how to speak the language of the people who fund it.

Policy, regulation, and advocacy

See how scope of practice, direct access rules, and advocacy open or close doors for primary care roles.

Build your own program

Finish with a step by step framework for launching a primary care PT program in your own setting.

About the course

Course 4 of the Primary Care Physical Therapy Certificate steps back from the exam table to look at the system around it. Health systems science is the third pillar of practice, alongside basic science and clinical science. Across six modules you will cover payment systems and financial literacy, quality measurement and improvement science, policy and regulation, health equity and the social determinants of health, and a full framework for building a primary care PT program. Each module pairs a short video with a knowledge check. Included with your BrainSmith membership.

Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT

Eric Robertson is a co-founder of BrainSmith and a physical therapy educator with nearly two decades on DPT faculty. He teaches at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, serves on the IFOMPT Standards Committee, and hosts the PT Outcast podcast. His work focuses on primary care physical therapy, clinical reasoning, and curricular innovation.

Curriculum

7 Chapters · 13 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Course 4

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1: Health Systems Science: The Third Pillar of Practice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Knowledge check 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2: Payment Systems and Financial Literacy

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Knowledge check 2

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3: Quality Measurement and Improvement Science

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Knowledge check 3

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4: Policy, Regulation, and Advocacy

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Knowledge check 4

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5: Health Equity and the Social Determinants of Health

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Knowledge check 5

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6: Building a Primary Care Physical Therapy Program

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Knowledge check 6

Ready for Course 4?

Log in to your BrainSmith membership to start Course 4. Six modules, six knowledge checks, about 90 minutes.

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