Academic Rigor DO/MD vs DPT

[mnmoore]

Hi guys,

I have been interested in physical therapy for several years, but now I am considering osteopathic medicine. I have a peer who is a first year in DO school, so I now have a very real understanding of the true demands (academic rigor, depth of knowledge, time commitment, financial concerns) of a medical school. However, I do not know anyone in any other health related graduate programs, so I don't have anything to which to compare the academic rigor. I am specifically looking for a comparison DO or MD vs DPT. (I am not interested in anyone trying to compare DO with MD).

I recognize DPT has not been around for a very long time, but if anyone has switched between schools I would love to know their thoughts. I do not want to know about a comparison with a masters of physical therapy program!

TLDR; I would love an honest comparison of the academic rigor and course demands between MD/DO schools and a DPT program (not masters.)

Thanks!

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[Boolean]

As a DO, you are a physician.
As a DPT, you are a physical therapist.

DOs can become neurosurgeons.
DPTs cannot.

 

[mnmoore]

As a DO, you are a physician.
As a DPT, you are a physical therapist.

DOs can become neurosurgeons.
DPTs cannot.

Boolean,

Your in depth comparison has certainly given me a lot to ponder. However, no matter how I read your response I cannot find myself believing your response even remotely answers my question. I am interested in a comparison of the academic rigors during either doctoral programs, not regarding scope of practice afterwards.

 

[Boolean]

Boolean,

Your in depth comparison has certainly given me a lot to ponder. However, no matter how I read your response I cannot find myself believing your response even remotely answers my question. I am interested in a comparison of the academic rigors during either doctoral programs, not regarding scope of practice afterwards.

It speaks directly to the academic rigor. Scope of practice is highly correlated with academic rigor of the program preceding it. PT in no way covers the depth required by that of medical school. The academic rigor is substantially increased.

 

[lisi326]

I'm not quite sure what you're going for here, but.... DPT school is easier than med school. You are trained to look at a very specific part of the body (ie, the musculoskeletal system), and how to diagnose and treat (using PT only) conditions related to it, but that's about it. You have to learn the same thing about EVERY body system in med school, and "treatment" consists of more than just exercises/stretches/physical modalities.

DPT coursework starts with the "basics" of PT (musculoskeletal anatomy, kinesiology, a touch of clinical medicine [essentially, enough to understand why you're being consulted for rehab for various conditions]) then moves up to the clinical practice of PT. Med school coursework starts with the building blocks of medicine (basic science, full-body anatomy and phys) then moves onto the pathophys of all of the organ systems and treatments.

The last year of DPT school consists of clinical rotations that are generically 40hr work weeks in various settings (acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, nursing home). The last 2 years of med school consist of clinical rotations that mostly hospital-based and have 40-80hr work weeks.

Working as a PT is a pretty good lifestyle. Normal work hours (maybe a few weekends that you get week days off for), good pay ($65-100,000ish), enjoyable clients. The ability to move around many different practice settings with few problems. You have the opportunity to specialize with "residencies" after graduation in things like neurorehab or women's health. If you want to do academic research, most people will generally get a PhD after the DPT.

TL;DR: DPT school is substantially easier than med school, but certainly harder than other grad programs.

Source: I'm a 4th yr med student who did a master of occupational therapy and had lots and lots of friends who were going through DPT school at the same time.

 

[AlteredScale]

Cross posted? http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/academic-rigor-for-do-compared-to-dpt.1107997/#post-15891903

 

[b-rad12]

I'm not quite sure what you're going for here, but.... DPT school is easier than med school. You are trained to look at a very specific part of the body (ie, the musculoskeletal system), and how to diagnose and treat (using PT only) conditions related to it, but that's about it. You have to learn the same thing about EVERY body system in med school, and "treatment" consists of more than just exercises/stretches/physical modalities.

DPT coursework starts with the "basics" of PT (musculoskeletal anatomy, kinesiology, a touch of clinical medicine [essentially, enough to understand why you're being consulted for rehab for various conditions]) then moves up to the clinical practice of PT. Med school coursework starts with the building blocks of medicine (basic science, full-body anatomy and phys) then moves onto the pathophys of all of the organ systems and treatments.

The last year of DPT school consists of clinical rotations that are generically 40hr work weeks in various settings (acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, nursing home). The last 2 years of med school consist of clinical rotations that mostly hospital-based and have 40-80hr work weeks.

Working as a PT is a pretty good lifestyle. Normal work hours (maybe a few weekends that you get week days off for), good pay ($65-100,000ish), enjoyable clients. The ability to move around many different practice settings with few problems. You have the opportunity to specialize with "residencies" after graduation in things like neurorehab or women's health. If you want to do academic research, most people will generally get a PhD after the DPT.

TL;DR: DPT school is substantially easier than med school, but certainly harder than other grad programs.

Source: I'm a 4th yr med student who did a master of occupational therapy and had lots and lots of friends who were going through DPT school at the same time.

Great info..

To add to that, physical therapists will soon have "direct access" which will allow a lot more autonomy in their profession. You can read about it here.

http://www.apta.org/Vision2020/

Source: my fiance is about to graduate DPT school.

 

[tymont12]

Why does the 'rigor' matter? If you want to be a physician, you deal with an MD or DO program. If you want to be a physical therapist, you deal with the DPT program. If you want to be a hair stylist, you 'deal' with beauty school. Pick what you want to do, what really gets you out of the bed in the morning, and pursue it.

 

[deleted480308]

Stop double postibg threads, op

 

[Psai]

Why are you comparing rigor? I doubt that many people can do it although I suspect that medical school is more rigorous. Do what you think is right for you