Physical therapy interventions for people with head injuries and spinal cord injuries from war and other trauma differed from that for people with polio. During the 1940's and 1950's, physical therapists developed treatments that focused more on functional activities, such as bed mobility, transfers and gait. The demand for health professionals increased. Chicago Illinois Physical therapists treat people with arthritis who recovering from a new type of surgery, the total hip replacement. The number of physical therapists working in private practices increases.
Physical therapists become more autonomous.
The American Physical Therapy Association develops procedure to certify clinical specialists in cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, pediatrics and other specialty areas. Managed Care organizations, a type of insurance plan, became more predominant. These plans compel PT's and other health care providers to provide effective treatment at the lowest cost possible. This trend continues to require PT's to more carefully document the effectiveness of their interventions. This law balanced the federal budget by decreasing Medicare spending.