August 2022 • Vol. 29 No

From the Editor: Inform/Endorse/Advertise

Michele Stanley Editor, GeriNotes

GeriNotes has a proud tradition of encouraging members to write about their innovations in clinical practice settings, product or service development, and novel patient management. This is a clinical magazine and sharing ideas is what we do. There is a difference, however, between communicating ideas (informing) and promoting (endorsing) or advertising (getting paid to publish). Sometimes this gets confusing.

In this issue, Jennifer Brach and colleagues share information about a proprietary program for community engagement to bridge the gap between end of “skilled services” and the “exercise black hole” that we’ve all often witnessed clients falling into. It is based on evidence, is a novel approach, and is interesting. A hyperlink is provided for readers who want to explore this further. This is information sharing. The authors have also chosen to advertise their program trainings; this does not constitute an endorsement by APTA Geriatrics – providing advertising space is a business service that reimburses a little bit of our operating fees.

In the March issue, a home-care preventative program (HOP-UP PT), also based on evidence, novel, interesting, and proprietary was presented with hyperlinks, but the authors did not choose to advertise. The stories were treated identically; publication of information without advertisement does not constitute endorsement nor imply that it is not worthy of recommendation. Both ideas are worthy of further investigation by readers.

The January 2022 issue detailed the APTA tools for an Annual Physical Therapy Visit, a proprietary tool set free for members, developed in response to the 2018 House of Delegate’s charge for PTs to provide an annual broad health and wellness exam. This is a set of evidence-based outcome measures with a reporting tool and intake form. Hyperlinks are provided. The Annual Physical Therapy Visit process, itself, is not a standardized tool with documented reliability, validity, or responsiveness.

This issue documents a case report developed for the July Journal Club that discussed a research project that used the AFIT, a proprietary annual visit tool developed by Carole Lewis prior to development of the APTA Annual Visit Tool. It is also based on solid evidence- based outcomes but is not, itself, a test that has documented reliability, validity, and responsiveness. Carole graciously wrote a commentary on the JClub and answered questions that arose during this presentation. There is a hyperlink provided within her commentary for readers who want more information about the AFIT.

The concept of an annual visit is an exciting development for our profession, especially for those who work with older adults. The truism at the end of almost all research reports: “Further research is needed” holds true for both tools. Clinicians need the assurance that tools they administer are not just a collection of evidencebased components but are, themselves, a reliable, valid, and responsive test.

Definition of inform transitive verb: to communicate knowledge to Definition of endorse transitive verb: a: to approve openly as in to endorse an idea; especially: to express support or approval of publicly and definitely; b: to recommend (something, such as a product or service) usually for financial compensation} Definition of advertising: the action of calling something to the attention of the public especially by paid announcements [Merriam-Webster (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary. Accessed July 26, 2022)

GeriNotes

GeriNotes Editorial Board Michele Stanley, PT, DPT Debra Barrett, PT Jennifer Bottomley, PT, MS, PhD Kathy Brewer, PT, DPT, MEd Chris Childers, PT, PhD Jennifer Gindoff, PT, DPT, DHSc Jill Heitzman, PT, DPT, PhD Lise McCarthy, PT, DPT William Staples, PT, DPT, DHSc Ellen Strunk, PT, MS Published in January March May August November

Copy Deadlines February 1 April 1 July 1 September 1 GeriNotes Editor November 1 Michele Stanley, PT, DPT gerinoteseditor@gmail.com Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. GeriNotes is the official magazine of the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. It is not, however, a peer-reviewed publication. Opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the APTA Geriatrics. The Editor reserves the right to edit manuscripts as necessary for publication.

APTA Geriatrics does not endorse, publish, or promote products, services, or events sponsored or hosted by for-profit commercial entities. For-profit companies and corporations may request to advertise on any of APTA Geriatrics’ platforms at the published rates. All advertisements that appear in or accompany GeriNotes are accepted on the basis of conformation to ethical physical therapy standards. Advertising does not imply endorsement by APTA Geriatrics. Mission: To provide engaging content that empowers the community of physical therapy clinicians to build expertise and expand the delivery of evidence‐informed care that promotes health and wellness in ageing adults. Vision: To create an evolving online community through which clinicians develop their knowledge and skills based in shared ideals that are person‐centered; and promote a world where ageing adults move, live, and age well.