E D I T O R I A L
We Need Evidence More Than Ever!
As we focus on health care in the United States, one issue
is clear. We need to continue to value and seek out the best evi-
dence for the care we offer children and families. This evidence
includes research published in this and all issues of Pediatric
Physical Therapy, the expertise of expert clinicians and the chil-
drens and families goals for their futures. We need to examine
common, evidence-based approaches to the same movement
conditions. This will help families in determining best practices
for their children, better communicate with other professionals
regarding best practice, and ensure best outcomes from our
care.
In this issue, Kaplan, Dole, and Schreiber describe the use of
the clinical practice guideline on congenital muscular torticollis.
This first guideline, supported by the Academy of Pediatric
Physical Therapy and published in Pediatric Physical Therapy
in 2013, serves as a critical guide to best practice of physical
therapy for this condition. It is encouraging to read that phys-
ical therapists are using the guideline recommendations, but we
need to continue to improve with more referrals of the youngest
infants and follow-up. Thank you to Kaplan and colleagues for
their diligent follow-up on best practice!
Also in this issue, Vialu and Doyle examine multiple guide-
lines for school-based physical therapy across the nation. They
found many common themes in the 22 guidelines they com-
pared and suggest that these common themes be used as the
foundation for best practice.
As I begin my third year as Editor-in-Chief of Pediatric Phys-
ical Therapy, I want to thank Doreen Bartlett, Associate Editor,
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Copyright 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. and the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
for her excellent contributions for many years to the journal.
Dr Bartlett and I served together on the Editorial Board of the
journal, and I am honored that she was willing to serve with me
during the past two years. Dr Bartlett has decided to step down
from her position on the journal at the end of 2017. We have
benefitted from her rigor, research excellence, and commitment
to children and families and to the journal.
I also want to thank Careen Van Son for her contributions
to the Editorial Board of the journal. Dr Van Son has been the
representative for our Swiss pediatric colleagues and served her
colleagues and the journal with enthusiasm. Our best wishes
to Dr Van Son in her retirement. I am pleased to introduce
Dr Judith Graser as the new member of the Editorial Board. Dr
Graser will represent her fellow Swiss pediatric physical thera-
pists. Welcome Dr Graser!
Clinical Bottom Lines (CBL) are included for each of
our Research Reports. These are typically written by a
research/clinician pair and sometimes with a parent as author.
This issue includes a CBL co-authored by Catie Christensen, a
physical therapist at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, and Lori
Fickes, a parent. I want to thank this team and Ms Fickes for
her willingness to spend time reviewing evidence and sharing
her personal impressions with all of us. You are an inspiration!
Linda Fetters
Editor-in-Chief
Los Angeles, California
DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000462
Editorial 287