Look what some Physical Therapists want to do!!

[Freeeedom!]

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The following is a direct quote by some "militant" PT's on a chat board called www.rehabedge.com

"This is inspired by the current DC crossing the line thread. I thought a questionnaire would be interesting. Please answer with your profession and where you practice. Please forgive my bias towards orthopaedics. Try to post under another name if you wish to be anonymous. You could also email the answers to me(or someone you trust) and I'll post them anonymously. Feel free to only answer the questions you want to.
1)Do you think PTs should have direct access?

2)Do you think that PTs can diagnose?

3)Do you think that PTs need more training before having direct access?

4)Do you think that doctors should be able to write PT scripts (dictate treatment)?

5)Do you think the knowledge and expertise in physiotherapy justifies a DPT (along the lines of chiro, dpharm, od, not a medical degree)?

6)Are you for or against the move to a DPT and is this a strong or weak opinion?

7)Do you think that increased imaging and pharmacology is needed for a DPT?

8)Do you think that the knowledge and expertise in physiotherapy justifies a medical doctorate?

9)Do you think that the current move to a DPT is ill timed?

10)Do you believe that current DPT programs are adequate?

11)Do you think that PTs would benefit from the ability to order imaging studies?

12)Do you think that patients would benefit if PTs could order imaging studies?

13)Do you think that health care would benefit if PTs could order imaging studies?

14)Do you think that PTs would benefit from limited prescription rights?

15)Do you think that patients would benefit from PTs having limited prescription rights?

16)Do you think that health care would benefit from PTs having limited prescription rights?

17)Do you think that a PT is more knowledgeable than a physiatrist in a) rehabilitation and b) non-surgical orthopaedic assessment and diagnosis?

18)Do you think that a PT is more knowledgeable than an orthopod in a) rehabilitation and b) non-surgical orthopaedic assessment and diagnosis?

19)Do yo believe that the initials behind your name or others mean something?

20) Who is more deserving of the title doctor of rehabilitation: physiatrist or dpt

[This message has been edited by Bournephysio (edited May 12, 2003).]"

 

[bigdan]

OP-
You have identified an interesting area in the rehab field. I am in an outpatient rehab clinic where this issue is very much alive and debated.
PTs (and OTs and SLPs to a smaller degree) are looking for their own niche in getting the service in question out to the public. Many in the field feel that getting a doctorate is the way to market and prove their expertise. But many don't.
The PTs in my clinic are concerned about what a new grad DPT would bring that a veteran bachelors PT couldn't. And what are the additions to the DPT education that will allow the DPT the expertise to diagnose dysfunction and treat it without the supervision of an MD. Is that pain behind the knee from exercise/overuse, a tendon pathology, or maybe your run of the mill embolism heading for the lungs? How will the DPT know? And maybe of most concern to the administrators in these PT setups, how does one decide to pay a DPT? He/she will have over 100K in student loans; but a new grad is a new grad. And with reimbursement the way it is, it looks like PTs are still gonna get 45-55K to start. Tough way to get things set up...
BUT there are some advantages to getting more education - like having that much MORE education. Science is ever evolving and most insurers are forcing clinicians to use techniques that are proven statistically significant for effectiveness, or get no payment. So more PTs doing more research will help.
We'll have to wait and see. But the APTA wants the DPT for the entry level degree by 2020....

dc

 

[Sohalia]

Is this something that PM&R MDs should be concerned about for the future?

 

[Finally M3]

Yes. I know various state PMR societies are very concerned about this, and for instance, Michigan's has recently restated their intent to prevent any legislative moves by PTs at the state level.

 

[lee9786]

OP-
You have identified an interesting area in the rehab field. I am in an outpatient rehab clinic where this issue is very much alive and debated.
PTs (and OTs and SLPs to a smaller degree) are looking for their own niche in getting the service in question out to the public. Many in the field feel that getting a doctorate is the way to market and prove their expertise. But many don't.
The PTs in my clinic are concerned about what a new grad DPT would bring that a veteran bachelors PT couldn't. And what are the additions to the DPT education that will allow the DPT the expertise to diagnose dysfunction and treat it without the supervision of an MD. Is that pain behind the knee from exercise/overuse, a tendon pathology, or maybe your run of the mill embolism heading for the lungs? How will the DPT know? And maybe of most concern to the administrators in these PT setups, how does one decide to pay a DPT? He/she will have over 100K in student loans; but a new grad is a new grad. And with reimbursement the way it is, it looks like PTs are still gonna get 45-55K to start. Tough way to get things set up...
BUT there are some advantages to getting more education - like having that much MORE education. Science is ever evolving and most insurers are forcing clinicians to use techniques that are proven statistically significant for effectiveness, or get no payment. So more PTs doing more research will help.
We'll have to wait and see. But the APTA wants the DPT for the entry level degree by 2020....

dc

Well from what I understand DPT is already pretty much the entry-level degree for PT. Meaning that any new PTs must pursue the doctorate to be able to practice PT. While it is mandated for entry-level PTs to have a doctorate (i.e. DPT) it is "recommended" for BPTs and MPTs to pursue the doctorate title but not mandated. DPTs currently only make up 8% of the workforce. With no real incentive for BPTs and MPTs to pursue the DPT (i.e. compensation / job opportunities) except to basically just help the profession.

With a shorage of therapists employers don't really care what letter is in front of the PT. That's the reality. With therapy experience makes more of a difference with compensation than advanced education. With this being the reality the DPT is now mandated. This means more cost of education without an increase of compensation. Loan calculators don't like the math when someone has ~100k debt but only making 60k/year. I don't see the compensation increasing much with the DPT either.

It seems to me that the DPT is a big experiment. Like you stated it seems like a marketing tool. Does it provide enough education to really make a difference? I guess that's the bottom line question to answer. If it doesn't than the only people winning are the administrators for the DPT programs. The PTs are hurting because they can't pay their school loan bills and the patient is hurting because they have no one there to help them rehabilitate. Sounds like a broken system to me.

It's too bad because I'm actually researching the possibility of entering the PT profession. I'm a perfect candidate and I feel I can make a difference in peoples lives. I'm just concerned for everyone involved. It doesn't seem like a good "business decision" for me either. I just see me 10 years down the road still feeling guilty that I spent $5 for lunch when I could have just packed one. I just want to stop worrying about money so much. I think 9 years of education should at least pay for that peace and mind.

 

[facetguy]

It seems to me that the DPT is a big experiment. Like you stated ....

It looks like s/he stated it almost 6 years ago! That's quite an archive ya got there!

 

[Tenacious DO]

As a PT --> 3rd yr DO --> Hopeful PMR Doc...
I have said it in other threads...As a PT, I did not know what I didn't know, until I knew what I know now.

In my own experience, I have seen no appreciable change in the world of clinical PT with the addition of the DPT (other than loan debt).

As a life-long student, I will always be a big fan of gaining knowledge. I would like to see more emphasis on specialty certifications within PT. That way I know that the therapist has knowledge and experience in the areas of sports/neuro/other. That should translate into more respect and more referrals. Don't bit the hand that feeds you.