APTA Montana Primary Care Conference

Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek care, yet access to timely, appropriate treatment remains inconsistent. As healthcare systems evolve toward value-based and primary caredriven models, physical therapists are uniquely positioned to serve as first-contact providers for pain and movement-related conditions. However, many practices continue to operate within traditional referral-based and episodic care models that limit access and delay intervention.

This session explores the role of physical therapy as a primary care entry point and outlines practical strategies to improve access, reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization, and enhance patient outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on direct access models, early intervention, and integrating physical therapy into broader primary care pathways.

Participants will gain insight into emerging care models, communication strategies for positioning PT as a primary care provider, and operational considerations for implementing direct access services. Real-world examples and case-based discussion will support application across a variety of practice settings, including outpatient clinics, rural health systems, and employer-based care environments.

Learning Objectives:1. Describe the role of physical therapy as a primary care provider for musculoskeletal pain and movement health.
2. Explain how early access to physical therapy impacts patient outcomes and healthcare utilization.
3. Identify barriers to implementing direct access primary care PT models and strategies to address them.
4. Develop practical approaches to improve patient access and integrate PT into primary care pathways.