Contemporary Issues and Policies

Create a thesis and an outline on Contemporary Issues and Policies. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is required. Consequently it shows hot information technology influences the structure and processes of the organization and policies that impact the project. Physical therapy is a health care profession that deals with the identification and maximization of the quality of life through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. It involves an active interaction between the therapist, patient, families, community and other health professionals/providers. It is in this field that Outpatient Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (OTPRS) operates. OTPRS offers both physical therapy (neck and back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee and ankle), and specialty programs (occupational and hand therapy, vestibular/ balance program, sports medicine, work related injuries, medical gym, chronic pain management, massage therapy, women’s health). In order to fit and remain competitive in the market, OTPRS has laid down strategies to incorporate the current issues and policies in US and the world. This is due to the realization that globalization as a modern issue demands for expansion of economic interdependence as a conscious state and organization strategy (Mastanduno, 2001). United States has modeled itself into a modern epitome of democracy with a good social, economic and political facet that is admired by many. The result has been an influx of people into US seeking employment, citizenship, health care and education. These people are from a different culture of the world. In order to incorporate this new group of potential clientele, OTPRS has embarked on an expansion project that seeks to study these new markets in line with their ethical and cultural backgrounds. However, it draws caution of the looming effect of new competition from Asian Tigers who offer cheaper therapeutic services to the market. This has prompted the organization to upscale its standard of operation to offer competent services without necessarily having to lower prices. OTPRS is aware of an increase in the aging population in United States. There has been a constant 12.4 percentage increase in the number of persons 65 years of age and above (CDC, 2004). The population is characterized with functional limitation and a high prevalence of chronic diseases, hence, a high demand for therapeutic services. This trend has forced the company to expand its capacity in service provision though its 5 centers (Auburn, Covington, Covington Satellite, Maple Valley and Kent) and its online program. Through its online program, a patient can request for an appointment, pay their bills online, or even refer another patient to the organization. OTPRS operates in the health care industry with three major payers: government (Federal, State and local. employers and the health care consumers. Trends of consumption have shown that services that are covered with insurance and payment methods are consumed more that the ones borne by the customers. However, Medicare is now available to almost all of the American aging population. This is a positive aspect in the healthcare industry and will impact positively on players such as OTPRS. One of the regulations in the US health care industry is ‘The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996’. It is the major regulatory policy that affects organizations that provide services to consumers within the United States (NetIQ, 2005).