Future of DPT

[clos]

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I apologize if this topic has been brought up before. Is anyone here concerned with the future of the DPT profession??

With the medicare cuts hospitals and OP's could start accuring more debt. Which could possibly mean layoffs.

More seasoned PT's floating around looking for jobs which could push the new grad to the bottom of the list when it comes to hiring possibly.

That possibility scares me as someone who is changing careers and has been taking pre-req's and working as a rehab aide for the past year, and really has changed everything for this career change. I am starting to question whether or not to continue. (Not a great email at work)🙁

Or will the medicare cuts push DPT's to a more evaluation role as they will try and get more evals in a day, and hand the actual treatments to PTA's?

Just curious on everyone's take on the current situation of the DPT profession.

I know the jobs are out there but arent they mainly at SNF's? and talking to a couple of PTs I work with they have no interest in ever working at SNFs. But if push comes to shove.

 

[easb]

I do not believe that PTs will be cut off. There are tens of patients per each doctor. Population age is increasing, so cutting doctors, including PTs, would mean cutting healthcare services for people. Besides, younger people do get injured and get sick too - it is not going to change either, so PT work will not be limited by SNFs.

 

[NewTestament]

The thing about healthcare is people are willing to pay for it. If someone can't perform a job because of a limitation, what choice do they have? If an athlete can't compete, what choice does he have? People are more active and more affluent, and they're willing to pay for services that enhance their quality of life, regardless if Medicare is going to reimburse it. Some would argue that the free market would lead to higher pay for physical therapists, at least for the good ones.

Kevin