What procedure is conducted to determine the need for further physical therapy services?

The procedure conducted to determine the need for further physical therapy services is screening. Screening is a preliminary assessment aimed at identifying individuals who may benefit from a more comprehensive evaluation or treatment. It is a quick process that helps physical therapists assess whether a patient may require additional assessment or intervention based on specific criteria such as risk factors, symptoms, or functional abilities.

In the context of physical therapy, screening serves as an initial step to identify concerns before proceeding to more detailed evaluations. It does not involve diagnosing a condition or beginning treatment; rather, it provides a general impression to decide if further investigation is warranted.

Evaluation, while essential, refers to a more in-depth assessment where detailed measures and instruments are used to analyze the patient's condition and develop a treatment plan. Diagnosis is the clinical identification of a condition based on the evaluation findings and does not specifically address the need for further services. Assessment is a broad term that encompasses both screening and evaluation processes, but it doesn't specifically pinpoint the preliminary review stage that determines the necessity of additional therapy.