Do you know of anyone who has made the transition from the clinical side of DPT to conducting research? I'm interested in practice AND research, though I would not necessarily want to do both at the same time. My thoughts are that I could obtain the DPT, practice for so many years, and then pursue research much later in my career. I would assume that this would require a PhD in physical therapy on top of the DPT. But perhaps that would not work out if I had to compete against people who pursued the PhD from the get go?
DPT to research? PhD next step?
- Thread starter xena35o
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2009
- Messages
- 847
- Reaction score
- 18
Not necessarily. If you can, go to a DPT program at a research university, where you will most likely have a research component to the curriculum. We had several PTs who not only practiced and TA'd our classes, but they also worked with other faculty on research in the department. The university also hires "research physical therapists" who primarily do research. A PhD is not generally required for this. Some of our faculty have Ph.D's in specific areas, but not all, even though almost all of them do research in some capacity.
Some programs (I think WashU?) has a combined DPT/PhD program, but I am unsure of what the Ph.D focus is in (although I would think it would be PT). Northwestern also has a combined program, but it's a DPT/PhD in engineering, which may or may not appeal to you. You can always go and get a Ph.D later on in your career too.
Some programs (I think WashU?) has a combined DPT/PhD program, but I am unsure of what the Ph.D focus is in (although I would think it would be PT). Northwestern also has a combined program, but it's a DPT/PhD in engineering, which may or may not appeal to you. You can always go and get a Ph.D later on in your career too.
That's really exciting that DPT's can take part in research without having a PhD! Can these DPT faculty and "research physical therapists" be the principal investigators on these studies? Or are they usually working under the direction of PhD faculty?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2009
- Messages
- 847
- Reaction score
- 18
I think they can...most of them are working in teams with other PTs, and I'm not sure who does or doesn't have a Ph.D (it's not a major deal, at least that's the impression I got). For the study I'm involved in, the PI is in process of getting his Ph.D but does not have one yet, so I don't see why not.
I'm also interested in maybe doing a PhD in PT. The program I am currently in has a DPT/PhD program. We apply in our second semester for acceptance into the program and after we graduate in 3 years, we immediately enter the PhD program. Of course, we have to get licensed, do our critical inquiry/research in the DPT program, find a job, and complete the PhD program. Apparently, if we are part of the DPT/PhD track, we can expound on the critical inquiry during the DPT part or the track. And complete our data collection and analyses, etc.
Most interesting.
Most interesting.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2010
- Messages
- 477
- Reaction score
- 5
I, too, may foray into the research aspect of PT. We already have two mandatory research rotations to complete but we can also complete an optional 3rd to replace a clinical rotation.
To answer your question, with the DPT expanding to make competent clinicians, theorist, and novice researchers you may not always have to complete a terminal doctorate in order to go into research. i also think it is program contingent. Each program has its strengths and limitations. Fortunately, I am in a program that harps on research(for the purposes of being a clinician and actually engaging in research). I would do my HW to see what different programs offer. As Dancer and goyo stated, some programs have combined DPT/PhD programs. That can be very enticing, yet you also want to consider what the PhD program entails. Some programs may have a PhD in Rehabilitation Science, Human Movement, Neuroscience, Physiology, etc. Thus if you have a specific research interest, yet the program only offers that specific area of study it may be more prudent to finish your DPT curriculum while keeping an eye to applying to PhD programs at another institution.
Finally, I know that a DPT student in my program just graduated/received their license last year and went straight into a PhD program at the same institution. So ppl are doing it. I imagine that it is not common place, but if you want to be an expert clinician and researcher then I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do the DPT/PhD or DPT then PhD.
To answer your question, with the DPT expanding to make competent clinicians, theorist, and novice researchers you may not always have to complete a terminal doctorate in order to go into research. i also think it is program contingent. Each program has its strengths and limitations. Fortunately, I am in a program that harps on research(for the purposes of being a clinician and actually engaging in research). I would do my HW to see what different programs offer. As Dancer and goyo stated, some programs have combined DPT/PhD programs. That can be very enticing, yet you also want to consider what the PhD program entails. Some programs may have a PhD in Rehabilitation Science, Human Movement, Neuroscience, Physiology, etc. Thus if you have a specific research interest, yet the program only offers that specific area of study it may be more prudent to finish your DPT curriculum while keeping an eye to applying to PhD programs at another institution.
Finally, I know that a DPT student in my program just graduated/received their license last year and went straight into a PhD program at the same institution. So ppl are doing it. I imagine that it is not common place, but if you want to be an expert clinician and researcher then I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do the DPT/PhD or DPT then PhD.
As someone who has been involved in research, clinical practice for 20 years, and now a faculty member, I truly believe a terminal academic degree (i.e., PhD) is critical and the minimum for a PT to be a successful researcher. A PhD in no way has to be in 'PT'....the skills and education you receive in a PhD program are transferable to a multitude of fields. A CAPTE accredited entry-level PT program is not nearly sufficient to gain the education and skills to be an independent researcher (and my independent I do not mean true independent....I mean collaborative). As a profession, we need to move to more academic terminal degree and postdoctoral mentored experience, much like for clinical practice, we need to a residency following entry-level education. Anything less would be a disservice to the research and clinical practice, respectively. If you really look at successfully funded researcher in any PT academic department, they will have a degree beyond a DPT.
That said, I think PTs without an academic degree can be involved in research in data collection and design of interventions....just not designing a study, securing funding, etc, etc.
That said, I think PTs without an academic degree can be involved in research in data collection and design of interventions....just not designing a study, securing funding, etc, etc.
Thank you, PTisfun for your insight. If you wouldn't mind, could you tell us generally what your colleagues' PhD's are in, and how they ended up conducting research in PT rather than in their initial field?
Faculty have pretty varied PhDs.....Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Biostatistics, Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Nutrition, Public Health, etc, etc. The one degree I know no one with nor have I seen from people I work with is a PhD in Physical Therapy. Although I know these degrees exist, they seem to be a little odd. Since PT is a clinical discipline, I am not too sure what advanced training would include that is not clinical in a PT PhD. And advanced clinical training is not the purpose of a PhD. But I do not know enough about this program of study.
All of the PhD people I know are doing research in their area of expertise. I think it is a misnomer to call anything 'PT research.' The best intervention for a condition or event for example may include biomechanical principles, physiology, psychology, etc. PT does not 'own' any diagnostic test or any intervention. My own research includes behavioral specialists, ATs, MDs, PTs. etc.....
