Abstract
Physical Therapy has existed since time immemorial but the value and importance of this profession has been overlooked by many. I believe that this is attributed by inadequate knowledge and stereotype attitude of the society towards this profession. I have always been curious how these dedicated physical therapists endure working longer hours with their patients while putting a big smile on their faces. My father had a stroke years ago that left him disabled for some time. But with the help of a physical therapist who devotedly motivated him to go through the daily manual exercises and treatments, my father was able to get back to his full life. My curiosity drove me to write about this profession and through this research, I was able to gain a wider range of knowledge and open my eyes to various possibilities and opportunities that this profession has to offer. I have come to realize the value of Physical Therapy and the important role of physical therapist in enriching peoples’ lives.
Helping people to make their lives better is such a noble act which I would gladly intend to do in the future. To become a part of the physical therapy profession will be my roadmap towards achieving this goal.
Keywords: Physical Therapy, Physical Therapist, profession
Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy (PT) is a profession that stimulates flexibility, strength and spirit to an individual. They are healthcare professionals committed to heal and change peoples’ lives for the better. Their objectives are to relieve the patients’ pain and increase their speed of mobility, thus, bringing back the personal independence of patients. The physical therapy profession is proud of its competent professional practitioners of healthcare which is considered one of the most desirable careers.
History of Profession
The use of exercise massage and mobilization of tissues with heat, cold, water and electricity was influenced by the ancient Greek culture. In the 15th and 18th century, these practices continued to progress in Europe where re-education of muscle was applied for different types of orthopedic diseases and injuries. In the 19th century, the demand for muscle testing and re-education increased dramatically particularly during the polio epidemic in the United States. During World War I, a special unit of the Army Medical Department established a small group of reconstruction aides to rehabilitate soldiers injured in the war (American Physical Therapy Association 2011). The high demand for physical therapists during World War II increased the need to educate more physical therapists. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) promoted administration of physical therapy programs and urge more universities and medical schools to establish more programs and opportunities for graduate level education. Today, the profession has continued to grow and develop scientific methods to enhance their skills and service.
Evolution of Profession
Over the years, the Physical Therapy profession has evolved from physician’s assistants to independent healthcare practitioners. Through the efforts of national organizations, the field of physical therapy obtained state registration and license, advanced training standards and academic programs based in colleges and universities (WU School of Medicine 2009). This significant development has gained the field of physical therapy a professional recognition.
Education and Training
Physical Therapists should be trained and licensed to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients. Education begins with undergraduate degree programs with major courses on health and science. To become a practitioner, accredited physical therapy graduate degree programs should be completed such as Master’s and doctoral degree programs (Educational Portal 2013). Master of Physical Therapy is a two- year graduate degree program which is a preparatory course to become a practitioner. Students are required to engage full-time clinical experience to obtain hands- on patient care skills. The most common is Doctor of Physical Therapy which is a 3-year degree program where students are required to involve in clinical internships. Workshops, seminars and residency programs are also necessary for the advancement of their clinical practice.
Upon completion of graduate degree programs, physical therapists are required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to become a licensed physical therapist. Additional certifications such as state licensing boards are also required by all states.
Continuing Education
In some states such as New York City, continuing education for physical therapists is mandatory to maintain their certification. The New York State Education Law requires all Physical Therapists to complete 36 contact hours of continuing education in every three-year renewal period (NYSED 2011). Courses are available in colleges or universities and online.
Typical Wages and Benefits
Physical Therapists working in the United States are typically receiving an annual income of $76,310 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012). Full-time therapists who work 40 hours per week earn an average rate of $37.00 per hour and $43.00 per hour for those who have 20 or more years of experience. Salaries also vary by state in which Alaska and Maryland are the highest payers for physical therapists. In Alaska, the average annual salary is $88,000 and $87,000 in Maryland. Physical therapists who work full-time in hospitals, sports clinics, nursing homes or physicians are provided with 401(k) plans, life insurance and paid sick leave, holidays or vacations.
Employment Opportunities and Future Outlook
Employment opportunities for physical therapists will be excellent in the areas where the elderly are most treated such as acute hospital, skilled nursing and orthopedic settings. Since most physical therapists live in urban and suburban areas, job opportunities will be good in rural areas. Between 2010 and 2020, the demand for physical therapists will increase to 39% (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012). The growing demand is due to the increasing aging population where older persons will generally suffer from heart attack, stroke and mobility impairment injuries that would require rehabilitation for physical therapy. Through advanced medical technology, higher rate of survival for trauma victims and birth defects of newborn will also require rehabilitation care (Mayo School of Health Sciences 2013). In addition, the innovation of treating various illnesses and injuries through outpatient surgery will demand rehabilitation care for patient’s quick recovery, thus, physical therapists will continue to play a vital role in making peoples’ lives better.
Work Settings
Physical therapists have a variety of work settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers and hospitals and school system. Hospitals are the most common settings where specialized areas in physical therapy are being practiced. Outpatient clinics both private and nationally owned mostly specialized in sports medicine rehabilitation. In home health agencies, physical therapists provide therapy in their patient’s houses, caregiver’s home, nursing facility or hospice and hospital emergency room (APTA 2013). Physical therapists employed in the school system work with disabled students in special education classes where physical therapy is a part of the course. Other settings are nursing homes, adult day care and doctor’s office.
Types of Services, Duties and Responsibilities
Physical Therapy offers a variety of programs and services that emphasize on different areas with different objectives:
- Hand/Occupational Therapy
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation
- Low Back Program
- Aquatic Therapy
- Senior Wellness
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Women’s Health Program
- Athletic Training Services
Duties and Responsibilities
Their duties and responsibilities depend on the needed treatment of the patient. Most of the common tasks are the following:
- Assess and interpret evaluations and test results to identify treatment.
- Assist patient in achieving treatment plan and therapeutic devices as well as manage, instruct and encourage patient in manual exercises and physical activities.
- Manage and evaluate physical therapy treatments and recommend modifications.
- Establish and implement discharge plans and design continued therapeutic treatment for home health exercise programs.
Types of Patients Served and Types of Conditions Treated
People of all ages particularly the elderly are the common patients treated for physical therapy rehabilitation. In addition, newborns with birth defects also require rehabilitation care. A Pediatric physical therapist is specially trained to work with newborns and babies with birth defects (The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 2012). Common conditions/disorders treated includes stroke, arthritis, brain injury, incontinence, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, infant disabilities, limb amputation, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, balance disorders, orthopedic injuries, muscular dystrophy, back and neck pain and neurological disorders.
Working Conditions
Physical therapists work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fitness facilities and private offices. A typical physical therapy room is provided with different devices used for treatment. Most of them are always on their feet and work 40 hours a week and may include evenings and weekends (Explore Health Careers). Their work is physically demanding due to long periods of standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting and moving heavy equipment which requires physical strength and fitness.
Peoples’ Perception
Other professionals view physical therapy as a rewarding career, interesting and a well-paid health profession while others viewed it as the most challenging and physically demanding type of work.
Specialty Areas
Physical therapy has many specialty areas with different functions in which the most common specialties are the following:
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary
- Clinical Electrophysiology
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Women’s Health
Pros and Cons
The Physical Therapy profession is a highly satisfying job which has many advantages such as:
- Strong employment outlook
- High salaries
- Good working conditions
- Unlimited job options
Disadvantages
Although Physical Therapy is a rewarding job, it also has its share of disadvantages such as:
- Advanced education takes longer years to complete and is costly
- Physically and emotionally demanding
- Longer working hours
Conclusion
One of the most challenging tasks that a physical therapist endures is dealing with all kinds of people who are in pain. It requires a lot of patience and motivation to help these people restore their functional abilities and take charge of their lives. This sense of contribution is the most rewarding part of the job in which physical therapists are proud of their choice of profession.
References:
Development of the Field of Physical Therapy. Washington University School of Medicine. (2009). Retrieved from http://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/mowihsp/health/PTdevel.htm
Physical Therapists Careers Overview. (March 28, 2013). American Physical Therapy Association. Retrieved from http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/Overview/
Physical Therapists. (April 6, 2012). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Physical-therapists.htm
Physical Therapists. (September, 2013). Explore Health Careers.Org.
Retrieved from http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/70
Physical Therapy. Mayo School of Health Sciences. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/careers/physical-therapy
Pediatric Physical Therapist. (April, 2012). The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Retrieved from http://www.chop.edu/service/neonatology/resources-for-families/physical-therapy.html
Physical Therapists Training Programs and Requirements. Education Portal. (2013). Retrieved from http://education-portal.com/physical_therapist_training.html
