The need for physical therapists is particularly acute in rural and urban underserved areas. which have three to four times fewer physical therapists per capita than suburban areas. To address this need. the bill also authorizes a distance education pilot program to improve access to educational opportunity for both nursing and physical therapy students. Finally. the bill calls for a study by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences which will recommend how to balance education. labor. and immigration policies to meet the demand for qualified nurses and physical therapists. The provisions of the Nurse Faculty and Physical Therapist Education Act are vital to overcoming workforce challenges. By addressing nurse faculty and physical therapist shortages. we will enhance both access to care and the quality of care.
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