DPT vs DPM-2015

[dylanh]

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I know there are a few threads on this but I want to hear about this from new grads.

I want to ask if anybody was stuck between dpt vs dpm before they got into the DPM field?? if yes, do you regret not going for the DPT or happy with your decision?



better field scope?


salary?



job wise?

future of the field?




I have shadowed both professions and I am still confused. I dont think either is a bad choice but I want to make sure I make the right move.






thoughts?

 

[podiatrysurgery]

There's a dpt in every corner
But is nice getting pay visit + procedure
There is still DPM that ended up becoming DPT...just go to a DPM with those nasty whirlpools in each room... What kind of cpt code they do there?

 

[engmedpt]

This is a personal question.

Salary? DPM Easily.
Job growth? DPT but from what Ive read both are fine.

Get off of SDN, think long and hard, and make a spreadsheet of things you value. You have to make this choice for you and anything else important to you. That being said, be careful in your DPT application cycle if you go that route. Don't get sucked into prestige and stay realistic with debt to income.

Good luck!

 

[g squared 23]

PT scope has significantly increased, and now they can even do wounds (!). Which DPM's can do too... As well as surgery, and they (on average) have higher salaries. Podiatry school is even SIGNIFICANTLY easier to get into.

A positive for DPT is that nobody will assume or ask if you have a foot fetish. For ME, DPT does not make sense, but to each his own.

 

[dtrack22]

I have a buddy who just finished his DPT. He really enjoys it, but again, that's what he wanted to do. I'm with g squared...maybe for different reasons though.

the "D" in the DPT is something a little less harsh than a scam IMO. Other than states allowing DPTs to perform and bill for "manipulations," their scope and day to day practice hasn't changed much. Reimbursements aren't going up because they are "doctors", neither is their salary, yet they now pay for another year of school and tuition has risen across the board. Tuition at a local private school is just over 33K per year (apparently it is one of the less expensive of the private schools and not a whole lot more than the state school up the road)...I personally wouldn't pay 100K for a job that tops out around that same mark in terms of salary.

All that being said, my buddy really likes his job, he will eventually pay off his loans, so if PT is actually what you want to do...

 

[engmedpt]

This is happening everywhere you know right? You really think you can justify being a primary care doctor going 200+k in debt in tuition alone?
^Yeah, that number is accurate for some schools.

)...I personally wouldn't pay 100K for a job that tops out around that same mark in terms of salary.

 

[dtrack22]

This is happening everywhere you know right? You really think you can justify being a primary care doctor going 200+k in debt in tuition alone?
^Yeah, that number is accurate for some schools.

Which is why going to WashU or Columbia or Tufts or USC etc. to become a family practicioner is dumb too

 

[engmedpt]

^Agreed. Completely.

 

[engmedpt]

You are totally correct on the access as well....as well as mentioning your friend's situation. Currently, it really is to each his own.

 

[ldsrmdude]

I guess I've never really understood these questions. If you like what a DPM does better, then become a DPM. If you would rather do the work a DPT does, become a DPT. They're very different jobs. Shadow both and see what you enjoy best. Maybe my mind just works in simple ways...

 

[engmedpt]

^Sometimes the decision is just really difficult. Looking for external validation and pros/cons from others helps. Before I applied and committed it was hard. Definitely different for each person in regards to difficulty of the decision.

 

[W19]

The debt/income ratio is brutal for DPT... It's not easy for DPT to break into 6 figure salary. On the other hand, I was told the entry salary for pod is over 100k... If OP can see himself doing either one, debt/income ratio should be the deciding factor.

I know people in SDN don't like to hear about prestige, as someone who worked for 7 years in the healthcare industry, I can say that it can make a difference....

 

[W19]

.

 

[engmedpt]

The debt/income ratio is brutal for DPT... It's not easy for DPT to break into 6 figure salary. On the other hand, I was told the entry salary for pod is over 100k... If OP can see himself doing either one, debt/income ratio should be the deciding factor.

I know people in SDN don't like to hear about prestige, as someone who worked for 7 years in the healthcare industry, I can say that it can make a difference....

^^Very on point. It is much worse than for med or dent. I'm curious, what type of midlevel were you previously?

Last thing....if you can keep the debt under six figures for DPT......then it's definitely worth it. Run the numbers. It'll work. I'm in a lucky position and I know people don't have that luxury.

 

[W19]

@engmedpt I was not a midlevel, but I worked closely with providers (PA/NP/DPM/MD/DO).