Doctor of Physical Therapy
A Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) degree is a qualifying degree in physical therapy. In the United States, it is considered a graduate-level first professional degree or doctorate degree for professional practice.[1] In the United Kingdom, the training includes advanced professional training and doctoral-level research.
A Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree is available in the US for those who already hold a professional Bachelor or Master of Physical Therapy (BPT or MPT) degree; as of 2015, all accredited and developing physical therapist programs in the US are DPT programs.[2] Master's degrees in physical therapy are no longer offered in the US, and physical therapists beginning their education now study towards the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.[3]
History
In 1992, the
The Doctor of Physiotherapy has since been adopted in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Taiwan.[citation needed] In the United Kingdom and Australia, the PhD or Professional Doctorate in Physiotherapy is offered by a number of Universities. These programs are usually professional entry master's level programs, with the opportunity to undertake research to lead to a doctorate degree. Alternatively, these programs are master's pre-qualifying physiotherapy courses with an enhanced research element in the final phase of the course that leads to undertaking a doctorate. The first full pre-qualifying Doctorate in Physiotherapy program in the United Kingdom was accredited in 2017 at Glasgow Caledonian University in Glasgow.[citation needed]
United States
The DPT degree prepares students to be eligible for the physical therapy license examination in all 50 US states. Along with the license examination, some states do require physical therapists to take a law exam and a
In 2000, the
Time frame
Undergraduate | Doctor of Physical Therapy | Residency (optional) | Fellowship (optional) |
---|---|---|---|
4 years | 3–4 years[15][16][17][18] | 1 to 3 years[19] | 1 to 5 years[20] |
The typical time frame for completion of a Doctor of Physical Therapy is 3 to 4 years after earning a bachelor's degree. Depending on residency and fellowship training, if undertaken, the doctor may have completed several years of additional training. Obtaining a DPT could also be done by accelerated programs offered by some universities that can be applied to by freshmen. These programs allow students to receive a bachelor's degree and DPT in 6 to 7 years. With these programs, there are various admission points over the course of their curriculum. Various programs allow students to apply directly out of high school and they will automatically matriculate into the professional phase of the program after completing the required undergraduate courses.[21]
Admission
Admission to a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the United States is highly competitive. According to the Aggregate Program Data Report from
Transition Doctor of Physical Therapy degree
The t-DPT degree is conferred upon completion of a structured post-professional educational experience that results in the augmentation of knowledge, skills, and behaviors to a level consistent with the current professional (entry-level) DPT standards. The t-DPT degree enables the US-licensed physical therapist to attain degree parity with therapists who hold the professional DPT by filling in any gaps between their professional baccalaureate or master's degree PT education and the current professional DPT degree education.[26]
The post-professional DPT (Transitional) degree is designed to provide the doctoral credential to those who currently holding a master's or bachelor's degree in the field. Post-professional DPT (Transitional) degree programs are typically offered on a primarily online learning model and are often one year in length.[27]
Controversies
The use of the title doctor by physical therapists and other non-physician health care professionals has been debated.
Critics in the 1990s questioned whether the rigor of the physical therapy curriculum and the scope of practice warranted the conferral of a professional degree similar to that characteristic of medicine, dentistry, or nursing.[31] Proponents countered that the existing curricula are "victims of 'curricular inflation'."[32] Rothstein[33] and Moffat[34] noted, the previous master's and even baccalaureate curricula rivaled those of most other professional doctorate programs, and these curricula often required more than the typical 72 credits mandated for a doctoral degree.[35] The 2000 Fact Sheet from APTA reported that the mean number of credits required for the professional phase of the typical baccalaureate program was 83.0 credits and that the typical master's degree program required 95.5 credits.[36] As of 2009 the typical number of prerequisite credits was 114.2 and the total number of professional credits was 116.5 for a total of 230.7 credit hours.[37] Additional credit hours may also be earned in residency and fellowship. Threlkeld et al.[38] suggested that the scope of existing physical therapy curricula already (in 1999) matched that of a professional doctorate, further submitting that students of a well-defined DPT program "will have earned the right to be recognized by the doctoral title".
Professional degree (entry-level)
The professional (entry-level) DPT degree is currently the degree conferred by all physical therapist professional programs upon successful completion of a three- to four-year post-baccalaureate degree program in the United States, preparing the graduate to enter the practice of physical therapy. Admission requirements for the program include completion of an undergraduate degree that includes specific prerequisite coursework, volunteer experience (or other exposure to the profession), and completion of a standardized graduate examination (e.g., GRE).[39]
Typical prerequisite courses may include two semesters of anatomy and physiology with labs, two semesters of physics with labs, two semesters of chemistry with labs, a general course in psychology, another course in psychology, statistics, two semesters of biology,[40] and may include other courses required by specific schools.
The physical therapist curriculum consists of foundational sciences (i.e.,
Continuing Education
Post-graduation, licensed physical therapists have the ability to pursue a clinical residency or fellowship to expand their knowledge and experience. Clinical residencies are designed to further a physical therapy resident's knowledge in a specific area of clinical practice. A clinical fellowship is a program for physical therapists in an area of the specific focus.[43]
Physical therapists also have the ability to pursue specialty certifications, where they become board certified clinical specialists. Becoming a certified specialist allows the therapist to earn credentials that represents further dedication to patient care. It gives the opportunity for professional growth and positions in leadership and service. This specialization is done by building a broad foundation of professional education then building a skill set related to the particular specialization area. The certifications given in the specific areas are: cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports physical therapy, wound care, and women's health.[43]
Physical therapists can provide various modalities of treatment for the patient. The modalities include: ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, joint mobilization, massage, heat, ice, kinesiology taping, and many more. Forms of treatment depends on the therapist's preference of treatment and the clinics equipment availability. Based on the patient, specific types of treatment might be better suited. Therapists might also find different modalities not as effective as others. However, some modalities might not be possible due to the clinics restrictions on space and equipment availability.[43]
Advanced clinical science degree
The "advanced clinical science" doctorate (e.g., DPTSc or DScPT,
United Kingdom
Some universities, such as
See also
References
- ^ "Structure of U.S. Education". U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ CAPTE
- ^ How to Become a Physical Therapist usnews.com
- ^ "Physical Therapy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-25. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
- ^ The Postprofessional Clinical Doctorates [Draft Document]. Consensus Conference on Postprofessional Education. Alexandria, Va: American Physical Therapy Association; 1998.
- ^ Massey B. 2001 APTA Presidential Address: We have arrived! Phys Ther. 2001;81:1830- 1833.
- ^ "Doctor of Physical Therapy". spahp.creighton.edu. 8 April 2016.
- ^ Murphy W. Healing the Generations: A History of Physical Therapy and the American Physical Therapy Association. Alexandria, Va: American Physical Therapy Association; 1995.
- ^ "Accredited Schools Directory". aptaapps.apta.org.
- ^ Brightfind2, Brightfind2. "ABPTRFE". www.abptrfe.org.
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- ^ "Vision 2020". American Physical Therapy Association. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ "Direct access to physical therapists being sought". Elm Leaves. 2012-02-12. Archived from the original on 2013-05-16. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ Gardner, Kelly. "Michigan Grants Patients Direct Access to Physical Therapists". www.apta.org.
- ^ Communications, Wayne State University Web. "Physical Therapy - Wayne State University". pt.cphs.wayne.edu.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
{{cite web}}
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) - Seton Hall University". www.shu.edu.
- ^ "www.apta.org" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-18.
- ^ "Residency vs. Fellowship". Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-23. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c "2016-2017 Aggregate Program Data" (PDF). Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. March 10, 2017. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-23. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
- ^ Ross, Libby. "Physical Therapist (PT) Admissions Process". www.apta.org.
- ^ "Physical Therapists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics". www.bls.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
- ^ Ross, Libby. "Physical Therapist (PT) Admissions Process". www.apta.org. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ Gardner, Kelly (December 2019). "FAQ: Postprofessional DPT (Transition)". www.apta.org.
- ^ "FAQ:Postprofessional DPT (Transition)". American Physical Therapy Association. 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ "When the Nurse Wants to Be Called 'Doctor'". The New York Times. 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ "APTA Responds to The New York Times on Physical Therapists Using the Term 'Doctor'". American Physical Therapy Association. 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ "Credential Creep" (PDF). The Chronicle of Higher Education. 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ Messaros, A (October 1999). "Fatal assumption [letter to the editor]". Physical Therapy. 79 (10): 981–982.
- ^ Threlkeld, A; Jensen, G; Royeen, C (October 1999). "Author response". Physical Therapy. 79 (10): 986–990.
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- ^ Moffat M. APTA Presidential Address: Will the legacy of our past provide us with a legacy for the future? Phys Ther. 1994;74:1063-1066.
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- ^ 2000 Fact Sheet: Physical Therapist Education Program. Alexandria, Va: American Physical Therapy Association; October 2000.
- ^ 2009 fact sheet: Physical Therapist Education Program. Alexandria, Va: American Physical Therapy Association; August 2009
- ^ "DPT - Frequently Asked Questions - USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-26. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
- ^ "Columbia University Program in Physical Therapy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-11.
- ^ "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Coursework — Azusa Pacific University". Archived from the original on 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2015-02-09.
- ^ "Curriculum - Physical Therapy Program - George Fox University". www.georgefox.edu.
- ^ a b c Mendenhall, Keith. "Specialist Certification". www.abpts.org. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- ^ "DPT Doctor of Physiotherapy (Pre-registration)". Glasgow Caledonian University. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "DPT Doctorate of Physiotherapy". Robert Gordon University. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "Physiotherapy degrees". Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "Physiotherapists given prescribing powers". BBC. 20 August 2013.