10 questions for a physical therapist

Sophie, I've been a PT for 42 years and have worked in a variety of settings. None are the same. But I'll give my best answers. For more information, go to APTA.org.
1. In most settings, patient's are seen for 30-45 minutes of active care. It's usually active - standing, moving, on the floor, on a treatment table. An average outpatient clinician may see 11-14 people while in acute care hospital it may be less. Each treatment requires a note indicating what was done and how the patient responds. Initial evaluations, discharges, and periodic update require longer reports with standardized test information to show progress.
2. Skills - problem solving, writing, communication, empathy, manual skills.
3. Most DPT students spend 4 or more years achieving a Bachelors followed by 3 years of DPT.
4. Check the APTA website for major recommendations. Kinesiology is valuable and there are many pre-PT programs.
5. The biggest negatives right now relate to private insurers restricting patient access to PT.
6. I'm retired now but was working 40-50 hours a week last year.
7. No. 8. Try to observe a number of different clinic settings because you will be exposed to different diagnoses in each - acute hospital, rehab hospital, school, outpatient clinic, pool therapy, home health.
9. Salaries vary a lot in different parts of the country and settings. Check APTA.org for salaries in your area. 10. You've asked good questions. Good luck.

1. I work part time as an itinerant pediatric PT. I drive from home to home and each visit is about 1 hour. I meet with parents or caregivers and play/treat children with developmental delays. I have to be very creative to keep them entertained and I do a lot of problem solving and offering solutions for their development. I also work on line offering solutions for parents so I incorporate both of these aspects into my job to help people. 2. Problem solving, thinking on my feet, patience and a willingness to serve others. 3. 7 total. 4. Any of the sciences but really your major is not so important as your experience and making sure you have the core curriculum you need to apply. 5. You need to be in shape and the ability to move easily. But no real negatives in my opinion. 6. I work 2 part time jobs for about 30 hours a week but most PTs work 40. 7. Nope. I love what I do. It's a great field. 8. Most PT practices are owned by corporations. I'd suggest you pick an area you'd like to live in, a segment of PT you want to do and then look for employment that way. Rural jobs are easier to find but you can work with elderly, children, womens health, sports med, neurology, rehab, home health, etc. 9. You can google the average salaries and long term depends on whether you open your own practice or not and whether you work full time or part time. 10. It's a great field. I wish you much success!!

Good Luck, the human body is the most fascinating of designs!

Glad to help you.

1. This question is answered elsewhere. (it is long)


2. HUMAN ANATOMY


3. 2, 3 or 4 and then you keep learning for the rest of your life.


4. Major: medicine.


5. Not everyone can heal, sometimes people have illnesses or injuries that are incurable.


6. 40 to 48 hours


7. Nothing, I love the work I do, because I chose it wisely.


8. Start with hospitals.


9. minimum $40 a year and there is no limit if you own a clinic yourself.


10. yes, learn also psychology to understand people and also the nervous system is very important especially for pain management.