448.50 Definitions. In this subchapter:

(1m) “Business entity" has the meaning given in s. 452.01 (3j).

(1r) “Diagnosis" means a judgment that is made after examining the neuromusculoskeletal system or evaluating or studying its symptoms and that utilizes the techniques and science of physical therapy for the purpose of establishing a plan of therapeutic intervention, but does not include a chiropractic or medical diagnosis.

(1v) “Examining board" means the physical therapy examining board.

(2) “Licensee" means a person who is licensed under this subchapter.

(3) “Physical therapist" means an individual who has been graduated from a school of physical therapy and holds a license to practice physical therapy granted by the examining board.

(3m) “Physical therapist assistant" means an individual who holds a license as a physical therapist assistant granted by the examining board.

(4)

(a) “Physical therapy" means, except as provided in par. (b), any of the following:

1. Examining, evaluating, or testing individuals with mechanical, physiological, or developmental impairments, functional limitations related to physical movement and mobility, disabilities, or other movement-related health conditions, in order to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, or plan of therapeutic intervention or to assess the ongoing effects of intervention. In this subdivision, “testing" means using standardized methods or techniques for gathering data about a patient.

2. Alleviating impairments or functional limitations by instructing patients or designing, implementing, or modifying therapeutic interventions.

3. Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, or disability, including by promoting or maintaining fitness, health, or quality of life in all age populations.

4. Engaging in administration, consultation, or research that is related to any activity specified in subds. 1. to 3.

(b) “Physical therapy" does not include any of the following:

1. Using roentgen rays or radium for any purpose, except that “physical therapy" includes ordering X-rays to be performed by qualified persons, subject to s. 448.56 (7) (a), and using X-ray results to determine a course of care or to determine whether a referral to another health care provider is necessary.

2. Using electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization.

3. Prescribing drugs or devices.

(5) “Sexual misconduct with a patient" means any of the following:

(a) Engaging in or soliciting a consensual or nonconsensual sexual relationship with a patient.

(b) Making sexual advances toward, requesting sexual favors from, or engaging in other verbal conduct or physical contact of a sexual nature with a patient.

(c) Intentionally viewing a completely or partially disrobed patient during the course of treatment if the viewing is not related to diagnosis or treatment.

(6) “Therapeutic intervention" means the purposeful and skilled interaction between a physical therapist, patient, and, if appropriate, individuals involved in the patient's care, using physical therapy procedures or techniques that are intended to produce changes in the patient's condition and that are consistent with diagnosis and prognosis.

History: 1993 a. 107; 2001 a. 70; 2009 a. 149; 2015 a. 375.

Physical therapists and massage therapists are not prohibited from performing the activities that are within their respective scopes of practice, even if those activities extend in some degree into the field of chiropractic science. OAG 1-01.