Join APTA or not?

[Aminaros]

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Members don't see this ad.

Hey fellow PTs,
I just passed the boards and in the process of finding a job. Some job ads say that the APTA membership is preferred. I am not a member yet, but I wonder: is it worth it? The fee is 410$, quite a lot!
Please let me know how many of you practicing PTs are APTA members and whether you used their benefits or not (discounted courses, etc.)
Any input will be appreciated,thanks

 

[Sheldon]

Congrats on passing your boards! In answer to your question, I do think you should joint the APTA. I was required to be a member while in graduate school and have continued to submit dues as a practicing PT.The APTA is our main professional organization in the U.S., fights for our practice rights, etc, and as such, I feel we should support it with both our dues and time (if able). Employers may offer to pay for this too so check into that. Best of luck, and again, congratulations!

 

[Aminaros]

Thank you, Shaldon, appreciate it🙂!

 

[Akiramay]

I find being an APTA member valuable not only for the reasons Sheldon described, but also because of being able to use evidence based practice and stay up to date on current PT issues. As an APTA member, you have access to PubMed and other journal sites through Hooked on Evidence. Also, by being a member of special sections (orthopedic, pediatric, neurological, etc) you get monthly journals that have articles with interventions you can apply to your patients if they meet the requirements. I have found so many times that I read an article and can apply something from it to one of my current patients. So, the APTA will benefit not only you and the organization but your patients as well! 🙂

 

[_FNG_]

Please let me know how many of you practicing PTs are APTA members and whether you used their benefits or not (discounted courses, etc.)
Any input will be appreciated,thanks

Congrats on passing! I have been an APTA member since my first year of PT school and have mixed thoughts on the organization. Being a member is great for discounts on board specialty examinations (I think it would've been close to double without being a member) and JOSPT is a very quality journal, as opposed to Physical Therapy Journal (at least for my practice).

The cost is a little high and the return is questionable but I think supporting the APTA is important to improve our social standing as the providers of choice for musculoskeletal disorders.

 

[PTisfun]

As an APTA member, you have access to PubMed and other journal sites through Hooked on Evidence.

FYI....PubMed is not an APTA member benefit. It is funded by the US Government, so free for all. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
Hooked on Evidence, as far as I know, is going away. APTA is testing a new site called PT Now, although I am not clear how it is different.