About Physical Therapy
Physical Therapists Make a Difference
Many people can benefit from Physical Therapy. A construction worker with an injured back... a senior with arthritis... an infant with a birth defect... an Olympic athlete... a person who has had a stroke... a child with a disability... a pregnant woman... or an overstressed business executive. In this diverse group of people, each can benefit in some way from Physical Therapy.
Physical Therapists have the rewarding opportunity to make a positive difference in the quality of people's lives. Their work involves extensive contact with people - with both patients and other health care professionals.
Physical Therapy takes a personal and direct approach to meeting an individual's health needs and wants, whether a patient's goal is walking independently or breaking a high-jump record. Along with the patient and other health care practitioners, the Physical Therapist shares the hard work and commitment needed to accomplish each individual patient's goals.
For people with health problems resulting from injury or disease, Physical Therapists assist in the recovery process to make them stronger, relieve their pain, and help them to regain use of an affected limb or to relearn such activities of daily living as walking, dressing, or bathing. Because recovery does not end for patients as soon as they are out of the Physical Therapist's direct care, Physical Therapists must teach patients and their families what to do so that healing continues through self-care at home.
Physical Therapists also seek to keep people well and safe from injury. They do this by teaching the importance of fitness and showing people how to avoid hurting their bodies at work or play. By designing and supervising individualized conditioning programs, Physical Therapists promote optimal physical performance and help health-conscious people to increase their overall fitness level and muscular strength and endurance.
Responsibilities and Settings
Physical Therapists are respected members of the health care team. They work with other health care providers, such as physicians, Occupational Therapists, rehabilitation nurses, dentists, psychologists, social workers, podiatrists, and speech pathologists and audiologists.
Although a large number of Physical Therapists work in hospitals, now nearly 80 percent work in private Physical Therapy offices, rehabilitation centers, community health centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, corporate or industrial health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, schools, pediatric centers, and colleges and universities. Some Physical Therapists work as employees in these settings, while others are self-employed as owners or partners in private practices. Indeed, settings, employment arrangements, career responsibilities, and career opportunities depend on the interests and skills of each practitioner.
Physical Therapy Education
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) encourages students pursuing a career in Physical Therapy to enter the profession with a doctoral degree. This level of education will prepare Physical Therapists to better meet the changing needs of patients today and in tomorrow's progressive health care system.
Equal Opportunities in Physical Therapy
Cultural diversity within the profession of Physical Therapy is highly valued because Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist assistants interact with patients and families who are of various ages, races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. When Physical Therapists and their clients share a common language and similar background, the effectiveness of treatment is greatly enhanced. Patients often prefer to receive care from someone with whom they can readily identify. Minority Physical Therapists are in great demand but short supply in all aspects of the profession.
As the U.S. population becomes more diverse, it is important for Physical Therapists to meet the needs of all groups. The American Physical Therapy Association has made a commitment to support efforts to recruit and educate minority students for a career in Physical Therapy through its funding of programs and awards for minorities. APTA's Department of Minority/International Affairs addresses minority issues in the profession and offers information to students on schools and financial assistance.
Accreditation of Education Programs
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is recognized as the accrediting agency for education programs in Physical Therapy by the United States' Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The 26-member Commission, composed of Physical Therapy educators and practitioners, administrators from institutions of higher education, public representatives, and a physician, evaluate Physical Therapy education programs to determine if they meet the standards and criteria for approval. Accreditation recognizes professional education programs for a level of performance, integrity, and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the education community and the public they serve. Accreditation status signifies that the program meets established and nationally accepted standards of scope, quality, and relevance.