PT or Med school

[SMuller06]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping I could get yall's input on my situation. I'm currently a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi with a science GPA of 4.0 (Biology major). I've applied to LSU PT school but I was wondering the reasons behind your decision to attend medical school (May be on the fence). And, with medicine coming under criticism and reform, are you all worried about the field?

Thank you. I appreciate any and all advice!

 

[kevster2001]

MD gives you a lot more options. You might end up falling in love with another field other than PT/Rehab. Plus as a MD, it's not liek that area is closed off. Still can work in PT/Rehab medicine

 

[Evergrey]

MD gives you a lot more options. You might end up falling in love with another field other than PT/Rehab. Plus as a MD, it's not liek that area is closed off. Still can work in PT/Rehab medicine

Yeah, with an MD, you can work in pharma, hospital administration, public health, international, urban, or rural medical outreach, academia (Professor of Medicine, either clinical or lecture), basic, clinical, and translational research in addition to being able to specialize (and do fellowships to subspecialize if you think you would like a certain subspecialty better). PTs don't have nearly that many options.

 

[chman]

Plus you need a DNP anyways, might as well go the extra year. I know that does not count residency, but still.

 

[MexicanDr]

Plus you need a DNP anyways, might as well go the extra year. I know that does not count residency, but still.

He/She is Applying to PT, not RN, did you mean DPT?

I am going into medicine (MD/DO) for the many career options available and for the love of Emergency Medicine. Having worked in EMS and seeing how doctors take control on trauma situations and many times the positive outcome on the patients is something I want to do.

In Essence, PT is a rehabilitation science which is different in most cases of a physician's career.

 

[chman]

He/She is Applying to PT, not RN, did you mean DPT?

I am going into medicine (MD/DO) for the many career options available and for the love of Emergency Medicine. Having worked in EMS and seeing how doctors take control on trauma situations and many times the positive outcome on the patients is something I want to do.

In Essence, PT is a rehabilitation science which is different in most cases of a physician's career.

Yep, oops, I meant DPT.

 

[oaklandguy]

DPT is 7.5 years of schooling which is a lot of schooling for how much they make per year. As far as PT, it is a growing field and some states are now allowing them to prescribe medicines and be seen without a Doctor's referral, but as far as I'm concerned I feel as though the Medical path gives a more rewarding feeling in touching a patients life. In PT you do also help patients, but from what I understand about PT's, they don't usually end up saving lives, the jist of what they do is help people to feel less pain or to be able to walk better or have a better range of motion. It's definitely an option, but I really do not think it's for me just from what I have encountered in my experiences.

 

[Quantum Mecha]

MD gives you a lot more options. You might end up falling in love with another field other than PT/Rehab. Plus as a MD, it's not liek that area is closed off. Still can work in PT/Rehab medicine

Would this be under the field of "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation"?

 

[fahimaz7]

My wife was in the same boat that you are. After years of wanting to go to medical school, she switched gears and is now a first year DPT student. While she seems very happy with her decision, she often wonders if she will be satisfied with the curriculum and the field that she has gotten herself in to. When she was in school, she was always at the top of her class and often wanted to understand the "why" and "how" of science. While she gets some of that with her DPT classes, she often feels that htey skim the surface.

DPT is perhaps the best degree for a movitated person who doesn't feel like committing their time and body for the MD. Great job, lots of satisfaction, very little frustration (when compared to MDs), and can work anywhere.

When she's done, it wouldn't surprise me if she went on to get a PHD or MD.

 

[locus000]

PT DPT OT are all great professions. I had to get some rehab and those people put me back in shape in under a month, they do a great service and it is very rewarding seeing a patient come in on crutches and later on walk out of there! If I didnt want to be a MD i would have explored this field.

It isnt all too stressful of a field. But if being a MD is what you want then go for it!!!!!

 

[7starmantis]

I originally was going for the DPT but switched to MD. I found that PM&R would give me more options and allow me more control over patient care. I like the "big picture" more than just the rehab. Now I will most likely not even end up in PM&R at all, but I shadowed some PT, DPT,s and its just not for me. I would go crazy, I want to make decisions on the patients care etc.

For what its worth the DPT program is trying to push towards more autonomy for DPT's such as pharm, rad training, etc. I believe even Medicare now covers a PT directly without referral or at least some insurance does. Just depends on what you enjoy and where your passion is. Mine is simply more in medicine than PT. DPT is a great choice though.

 

[surftheiop]

I've been really impressed by my experiences with PT's. I was having some really nagging headaches for awhile and got examined by nurse practitioner who said it was probably due to muscle tension so she referred me to PT. After like 3 weeks of working on posture/doing various excercise and some manual manipulation from the PT the headaches completly went away.

Im definately going to be considering PM&R down the road.