Lawguil,
I actually think MotionDoc is doing a great job representing the DPT degree and making excellent, rational arguments, all while keeping his cool and remaining professional. How scholarly of him! I must hand it to him, way to keep on. Why are you so bitter Lawguil? What did PT do to you? Wow.
As a second year DPT student at a research I university, I strongly disagree with your opinion and think you are poorly representing yourself, "seasoned" clinicians, and PT. I can give you the benefit of doubt and conclude that your school must be subpar and is NOT representative of most other schools. Indeed there are many inconsistencies within professional practice and curricula which need to be standardized. I can only speak for my university, but PA and PT academic stats are comparable, actually PT has higher averages with more rigorous prereqs if anyone cares...So what? Higher numbers of applicants does not mean they are of higher caliber, longer experience in the field does NOT equal a superior clinician, nor does weekend CEU courses where some evidence is out there suggesting isn't all that effective. I'm sorry you made a poor career choice.
The thing is, as my faculty has put it, and in addition to MotionDoc's point about the identity change to a doctoring profession (I apologize if that misrepresents what you said but I don't have the time to go back), the entry level bar has been raised so we are learning more than you did in school in addition to more clinical hours. That's great that you posted someone's opinion regarding degree inflation, but where is the systematic analysis of MPT and DPT curricula that is required to support that claim? I couldn't find a study anywhere.
My program is an 8 semester, 3 year program
Take summers off and you have a 4 year program AFTER a bachelors degree. Not to mention the residency I will probably go into afterwards.
For a course comparison:
Did you take one full year of evidence based practice? (3 semesters)
2 semesters of cadaveric functional anatomy/biomechanics
2 semesters of orthopedics
2 semesters of radiology
2 semesters of differential dx not including 1 sem. ex phys and 1 semester physiology
1 semester cardiopulmonary PT
coverage of lymphedema management
manipulation
burns
wounds
pediatrics (one semester)
2 semesters of neurorehab
Locomotor training experience for SCI
in-depth coverage of vestibular diff dx and management
geriatrics (one semester)
prosthetics and orthotics (one semester)
2 semesters of motor control
serial casting
32 weeks of internships
3 semesters of professional issues dealing with legal, ethical, reflection, professional identity, community service projects, business aspects of PT practice
interdisciplinary course with med, pharm, dental, nursing students working in the community
So why don't you tell me that my program is inflated and filled with fluff. Let me know something you learned in the clinic that I didn't mention. Please.
This is what you said:
"PLEASE READ IF YOU REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND. MORE INFORMATION FORTHCOMING!
http://www.medpac.gov/publications/c...4_PTaccess.pdf
These issues haven't changed since 2004 and scholars (such as myself) consider this the best analysis I've read!"
That's great, so because a "scholar" such as yourself says so then it must be since everyone else is an idiot. (even though you didn't mean that you come off that way) With all those caps no less, double wow.
To your document:
"Opponents argue that a physician examination is required to correctly assess and diagnose a patients medical condition before the initiation of physical therapy. They also state that ongoing medical supervision ensures that a patients response to treatment is considered within the context of his or her total medical care."
Well that's great
there is already evidence supporting the financial savings, safety, and efficacy of direct access PT, and there is plenty more to come so get ready - the profession is changing with or without you.
Just like every previous generation complains about the next
Anyway, here's some reading:
1) Direct Access Physical Therapy and Diagnostic Responsibility: The Risk-to-Benefit Ratio -
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006
..."In summary, the risk from either diagnosis or intervention from a physical therapist is extraordinarily low, with the possibility of substantial benefit. This optimal combination of substantial benefit, with little or no risk, is relatively rare in the healthcare field and therefore represents an attractive healthcare investment..."
2) Pursuit and Implementation of Hospital-Based Outpatient Direct Access to Physical Therapy Services: An Administrative Case Report - PTJ 2010
"Reviewed patient care decisions by therapists participating in the pilot program were deemed appropriate 100% of the time by physician chart reviewers. Approximately 10% of the patients seen were referred to a radiologist for plain film imaging, and 4% and 16% of the patients were referred to physicians for pain medications or medical consultation, respectively. The pilot program's success led to institutional adoption of the direct access model in all physical therapy outpatient clinics."
3) Physical Therapists Knowledge of Musculoskeletal Conditions Childs JD, Whitman JM. Sizer PS, Pugia ML, Flynn TW, Delitto A. A description of physical therapists knowledge in managing musculoskeletal conditions. BMC Muscoloskelet Disord. 2005;6:32.
"Experienced physical therapists had higher levels of knowledge in managing musculoskeletal conditions than medical students, physician interns and residents, and all physician specialists except for orthopaedists. Physical therapist students enrolled in doctoral degree educational programs achieved significantly higher scores than their peers enrolled in master's degree programs. Furthermore, experienced physical therapists who were board-certified in orthopaedic or sports physical therapy achieved significantly higher scores and passing rates than their non board-certified colleagues."
Another one in the military:
4) "Risk determination for patients with direct access to physical therapy in military health care facilities." JOSPT, 2005
"...patients seen in military health care facilities are at minimal risk for gross negligent care when evaluated and managed by PTs, with or without physician referral."
http://ssigaaompt.blogspot.com/2009/09/physical-therapists-knowledge-decision.html