Obtaining simple clinical measures provides valuable information about your patients that, in many cases, are important to evaluating and managing care appropriately. Many of these measures also can be important in screening for undiagnosed problems or identifying risk. Screening is a proactive approach that empowers physical therapists to provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care.

Some key categories of physical therapy screens are:

• Musculoskeletal screens
  • Examples include injury, functional movement, gait, or pain.
• Neurological screens
  • Examples include reflexes, sensation, coordination, and balance.
• Cardiovascular screens
  • Examples include blood pressure, heart rate, and endurance.
• Psychological and emotional health screens
  • Examples include behavioral health, mental health, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
• Safety and social well-being screens
  • Examples include Partner Violence Screen, housing stability, and social support systems.
• Health and wellness screens
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Assessing Body Mass
  • S. Department of Health and Human Services: BMI Calculator
  • Other examples include smoking status, physical activity levels, fatigue, or nutrition.