Physical Therapy Program Analysis

Before becoming registered physical therapists, aspiring physical therapists must undergo a rigorous academic program. This process of preparation begins with applications to physical therapy programs. In recent years, it has become expected for prospective physical therapists to get a doctorate degree prior to being employed in clinical practices (Threlkeld and Paschal, 2007). Over the last 135 years, the entry-level education for physical therapists has changed from a masters degree to a doctorate, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (Threlked and Paschal, 2007). Schools that offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy program look for applicants who meet both educational and character criteria. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
These specialized courses are focused on the health issues that are prevalent in America today, and thus equip future physical therapists for challenges that they are likely to face. For example, tobacco cessation counseling is becoming a mandatory component of physical therapist education (Pignataro, Gurka, Jones, Kershner, Ohtake, Stauber, and Swisher, 2014). Because the smoking of tobacco is becoming increasingly popular in the United States and its adverse affects interfere with physical therapy treatments, incoming physical therapists must be instructed on how to help their patients quit smoking (Pignataro et al., 2014). In addition to adapting to new medical issues, the education of physical therapists is changing to best be able to work within local and national culture. The University of Texas at El Paso demonstrates this adaptability by requiring Doctor of Physical Therapy students to be trained in the Spanish language (Pechak, Diaz, and Dillon, 2014). “As the Hispanic population continues to expand in the United States, health professionals increasingly may encounter people who speak Spanish and have limited English proficiency.” (Pechak et al., 2014, p. 1) Universities are responding to this cultural change by requiring healthcare students to learn Spanish. These
Unemployment is a struggle for many Americans today, but this is not the case for future physical therapists. According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapist employment is projected to increase by 31.2% by 2022, while at the same time unemployment numbers continue to decrease (American Physical Therapy Association, 2014). This increase in jobs for physical therapists is due to many circumstances that place them in higher demand (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). First, people in the baby boomers generation are starting to grow old, which increases their likelihood of needing physical therapists to help them recover from the health issues characteristic of this season of life. Second, more physical therapists are needed to keep up with the increase of chronic illnesses. Third, as the frequency of outpatient surgery increases, so does the need for physical therapists to treat patients post-surgery. Finally, the federal health insurance reform is making physical therapy affordable for more people, which increases the amount of people looking to employ a physical therapist (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). In addition to these general expansions in the field of physical therapy, specializations within the field are making more jobs available, as people wish to see a specialist for their condition. The more