The Power of the Annual Mobility Assessment: Interview with Dr. Mike Puthoff and Dr. Victoria Hamby

Why do we wait for a catastrophic injury or dramatic decline before addressing physical health? In this episode of the MMOA podcast, Dustin Jones sits down with Dr. Mike Puthoff and Dr. Victoria Hamby, leaders of the APTA's Academy of Geriatric Task Force, to explore the transformative potential of the Annual Mobility Assessment.

As clinicians, we often see patients in the later stages of decline when it's much harder to reverse damage. This episode highlights how shifting our focus "upstream" can help us identify preclinical mobility limitations—the subtle changes that occur years before a fall or injury—and intervene when it matters most.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• The Six Pillars of Mobility: A breakdown of the physical performance measures used in the AMA, including usual/fast gait speed, chair stands, and cognitive dual-tasking .

• The "Report Card" Approach: How using a simple red-yellow-green system makes complex data tangible and empowering for patients .

• Moving Beyond the HEP: Why moving away from a "dictator" approach toward Brief Action Planning—letting the patient take ownership of their goals—leads to more sustainable behavior change.

• Practical Implementation: Advice for busy clinicians on how to integrate these assessments into existing workflows, whether through community outreach or as part of a standard plan of care.

Stop managing decline and start optimizing capacity. Tune in to learn how to become a movement specialist who identifies problems before they become emergencies.

Referenced Links:

• APTA Geriatrics AMA Resources: https://aptageriatrics.org/annual-mobility-assessment/
• Mike's IG: https://www.instagram.com/puthoffml/
• Mike's LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-puthoff/
• Victoria's IG: https://www.instagram.com/toto_hamby/
• Victoria's LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-hamby-pt-dpt-ocs-46028546

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