Book excerpt: Are you tired of searching through multiple texts, articles, and other references to find the information you need? The PTA Handbook: Keys to Success in School and Career for the Physical Therapist Assistant contains extensive coverage of the most pertinent issues for the physical therapist assistant, including the physical therapist-physical therapist assistant preferred relationship, evidence-based practice and problem-solving, essentials of information competence, and diversity. This comprehensive text successfully guides the student from admission into a physical therapist assistant program to entering clinical practice. The user-friendly format allows easy navigation through topics including changes and key features of the health care environment, guides to essential conduct and behavior, and ethical and legal considerations. Strategies are provided to successfully manage financial decisions and curriculum requirements, as well as opportunities and obstacles that may emerge. The physical therapist - physical therapist assistant relationship-often a source of confusion for health care and academic administrators, academic and clinical faculty, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants-is specifically profiled and analyzed. The authors clarify this relationship by utilizing an appropriate mixture of case studies, multiple examples, and current reference documents. The physical therapist - physical therapist assistant relationship-often a source of confusion for health care and academic administrators, academic and clinical faculty, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants-is specifically profiled and analyzed. The authors clarify this relationship by utilizing an appropriate mixture of case studies, multiple examples, and current reference documents. Each chapter is followed by a "Putting It Into Practice" exercise, which gives the reader an opportunity to apply the information in their educational or clinical practice setting. The information presented is current and represents the evolution of the physical therapy profession over the past 35 years, since the inception of the physical therapist assistant role. The PTA Handbook: Keys to Success in School and Career for the Physical Therapist Assistant is an essential reference for students, educators, counselors, and therapy managers who want to maximize the potential for success of the physical therapist assistant. Dr. Kathleen A. Curtis is the winner of the “President’s Award of Excellence” for 2005 at California State University, Fresno Topics Include: Evolving roles in physical therapy Interdisciplinary collaboration Legal and ethical considerations Cultural competence Learning and skill acquisition Effective studying and test-taking strategies Preparation for the licensure examination Clinical supervision, direction, and delegation Planning for career development