OCS vs. COMT cert/FAAOMPT

[steveyk]

Dear Readers!

I’m a third year SPT and would like to seek advice on the two options listed above. As I enter my final year of PT school, I’m wanting to really sit down and weigh my options in the ortho/manual field since I’ll be walking on that stage in no time.

Can someone with experience in an ortho residency or a manual therapy fellowship share what the pros and cons of each are? I am aware that fellowship programs are requiring the completion of an ortho residency or obtain the OCS before applying but that rule doesn’t apply until 2020. I’ve heard mixed opinions on pursuing residencies vs fellowships and would appreciate any pieces of advice during this decision making process.

My goals: meet excellent mentors and be an expert/specialist in the outpatient orthopedic setting
My options:
- ortho residency (and possibly pursue MT fellowship after)
- practice and take OCS exam (and possibly pursue MT fellowship after)
- COMT (and pursue MT fellowship)
- or just practice and rely on experience

Thank you all in advance for your wisdom!

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[noyceguy]

None of these certs will help you earn money beyond what you would make as an uncertified therapist, and they each cost thousands of dollars, so just practice and do your CEU's or extra reading.

 

[jesspt]

Dear Readers!

I’m a third year SPT and would like to seek advice on the two options listed above. As I enter my final year of PT school, I’m wanting to really sit down and weigh my options in the ortho/manual field since I’ll be walking on that stage in no time.

Can someone with experience in an ortho residency or a manual therapy fellowship share what the pros and cons of each are? I am aware that fellowship programs are requiring the completion of an ortho residency or obtain the OCS before applying but that rule doesn’t apply until 2020. I’ve heard mixed opinions on pursuing residencies vs fellowships and would appreciate any pieces of advice during this decision making process.

My goals: meet excellent mentors and be an expert/specialist in the outpatient orthopedic setting
My options:
- ortho residency (and possibly pursue MT fellowship after)
- practice and take OCS exam (and possibly pursue MT fellowship after)
- COMT (and pursue MT fellowship)
- or just practice and rely on experience

Thank you all in advance for your wisdom!

Well, in my opinion, residency would be the best way to accomplish your goals, as formal mentorship is a significant component of a residency program.

 

[steveyk]

Well, in my opinion, residency would be the best way to accomplish your goals, as formal mentorship is a significant component of a residency program.

I appreciate your comment. Just curious, isn’t formal membership a significant component of a fellowship as well? Last I recall, a fellowship has more mentorship hours built into the curriculum than a residency.

 

[Sheldon]

If you are seeking mentorship, residency is a great option. You will learn and grow faster, and hopefully receive great mentorship along the way vs. just taking the OCS. I probably grew as a clinician more during residency than my fellowship.

 

[jesspt]

I appreciate your comment. Just curious, isn’t formal membership a significant component of a fellowship as well? Last I recall, a fellowship has more mentorship hours built into the curriculum than a residency.

I'm not sure about the number of hours in each of the curricula.
You're currently a student - you might be getting ahead of yourself with focusing on a fellowship. IMO you'll best set yourself up for a successful career by establishing good clinical reasoning skills. You can do this on your own. Residency probably makes it easier.
COMT programs have no governing body and therefore can have a curriculum that is not evidence-informed. Be careful if you choose this path.

 

[2234leej]

I'd highly recommend doing a full-time residency following PT graduation. Gail Deyle and a number of other prominent PTs have stated that a 1 year residency is equivalent to 4-5 years of practice. You will be far and above better than your counterparts who go straight into practice. Residency isn't just about improving your clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis skills. Two of my instructors were also fellows of AAOMPT, so there was a heavy manual therapy component as well. I became proficient with spinal manipulation through residency.

Here's another huge bonus: being residency trained, board-certified and fellowship-trained highly increases your chances of being able to teach at a university/residency. Just about 100% of residencies require faculty to be board certified. Most faculty positions at universities also require advanced credentials like the OCS/FAAOMPT certification (unless you have a PhD or have "an in" at the institution). Being residency-trained and board certified in orthopedics opened up a lot of doors for me. I am not fellowship-trained; however, most fellows that I have seen are great clinicians. I learned a tremendous amount of manual therapy/associated clinical reasoning for manual therapy in residency hence, I did not see the need to pursue fellowship afterward.