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Where can a PT degree lead?
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Where can a PT degree lead? - February 23, 2005 7:41:00 AM
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k_bits
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Hello all. I'm in the midst of deciding whether or not to enter physiotherapy as a career and I could use some advice. I know some small amount about manual therapy, having been a massage therapist for 8 or so years and Feldenkrais enthusiast for a similar length of time.
At present, my interests are in neuro & pediatrics, though no doubt that could change. Ideally I would like to practice, teach (I believe I have an aptitude for science teaching, esp: anatomy) and conduct research. No doubt this is every idealists dream before the real world smacks em upside the head. J
My situation is thus: -
I am in Australia.
I am 27 yrs old.
I'd like to keep my options open.
I have the choice of doing a 3yr undergrad degree + 2yr Physio MSc or a plain 4yr BappSci (Pthy). In any case I will need to do 1yr of an undergrad degree before I can switch into Physio ; IOW the time invested is 5yrs either way. (as very few exemptions are given for undergrad studies).
My question/s
(1) Given the above, can you see any advantage in switching to the BappSci degree Vs completing the undergrad deg and going for the Masters?
I mean this in regards to my goals (teaching / research).
IOW - those of you who have a Bsc degree in a related field (medical science, biology etc) prior to PT: have you found this useful in persuing / widening your horizons? I have read a little abt the trend toward DPT in the US here - surely a strong background in science is preferable to a purely vocational degree which (?seems?) to skim over chemistry, biology, etc?
(2) Is there a strong research culture in PT? Is this a valid career aspiration?
(3) Other than the clinical practice (private / hospital), sales rep, practice manager, ergonomics instructor and teaching, what are some possible career pathways for a PT? Any really 'out there' career prospects?
I hope my questions haven't been too gauche and naive. I really would like to hear it "from the horses mouth" before I sign away 5yrs of my life and countless $$$.
Any and all help appreciated.
Kirk
Just an addendum: by research I meant this kind of thing -
http://www.rehabedge.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000099
rather than epidemiology or the like. I guess what I'm asking is - do PT's conduct research on the "anatomical" (rather than "functional") level?
(God I hope I used those words right, or I'll look like an even bigger ass) :-)
Coincidentally, what are the current PT research trends? I've read a few issues of JMPT and Spine, so perhaps my opinions are skewed by ortho stuff - which there seems to be a lot of?
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - February 23, 2005 11:10:00 AM
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Andrew M. Ball PT PhD
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Many of the PT's here are from the US, and the profession of physical therapy looks quite different in Australia. My suggestion would be to get information from people who are in the profession there in Australia. Try Chris Maher, PT, PhD at University of Sydney for starters (he's about the only Australian PT that I know personally), but as a faculty member there, I'm sure he'd be able to offer some valuable insights.
If you chat with him, please let me know!
Drew
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Dr. Andrew M. Ball, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - February 23, 2005 12:25:00 PM
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nari
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Hello Kirk
The setup in Australia is very different from the USA, but quite similar to Canada.
Try: Chris Maher, certainly, and any of the unis conducting post grad masters degrees. None of the masters courses have been running for long.
I don't know where you are living, but the APA might be useful, and also try new and up'n'coming unis like Charles Sturt at Albury.
Reasearch is quite broad - again the APA and PTs like Chris Maher can help perhaps; the focus is quite strongly musculo-skeletal; but respiratory, cardiac, neurological...etc
Nari
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - February 26, 2005 11:04:00 PM
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k_bits
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Hello Andrew and Nari.
Thank you kindly for the advice! Much appreciated - I will indeed endevour to contact those folk you mentioned.
If anyone else is willing to chime in, please feel free. I don't mind much if your p.o.v. is US-centric or such: just curtious to see where the profession is moving in general.
(For example, I just downloaded the APA vision for 2020: seem quite similar to where APTA is working towards)
Cheers
K_bits
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - March 23, 2005 5:45:00 AM
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Dr.Wagner
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My PT class (years ago) had many people ending up in different arenas of health care.
Of my best friends (a group of 7 or8), only 4 practice full time.
One does admin/management with her MBA, one became a drug rep (and now going to med school), another went part time to raise kids, I went to medical school, another became a full time "ticket broker".
I think PT can offer a fantastic lifestyle and be a great environment to raise kids...you can work part or full time.
Academics (generally part time) is an option, but of course doesn't pay well.
If there was a better private practice market, that could be a great niche. My opinion would be to get good marketable skills (LMT, lymphatic drainage etc) and use them.
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Dr. Wagner DO
Moderator of Medical Complexity Forum
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - March 23, 2005 7:01:00 AM
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JLS_PT_OCS
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Wags' post illustrates how many different directions a PT degree can take you.
Certainly, there are quite a few PTs doing more basic science type research in areas like movement science, motor control, pain, biomechanics, etc.
If research is your bag, then PhD is your goal, so be prepared for that and all it entails.
Certainly such an academic degree is much more rigorous than clinical doctorates such as DPT, MD, DC, DO, PsyD, etc. And you'll pay for it, too.
But keep in mind I am in the US and the Australian experience and environment may be really different.
Good luck.
J
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Jason Silvernail DPT, OCS, CSCS
"It isn't what you're able to do that requires your courage but rather what you have come to understand and are willing to express." - Barrett Dorko,PT
**I no longer post on RehabEdge**
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - March 23, 2005 7:40:00 AM
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Dr.Wagner
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By I suppose it depends on what rigorous is defined as ;)
Every other day call, 80hr work weeks, getting vomitted on, or any of the other hellish things eperienced as a medical student or as a resident may have been a bit more rigorous than PhD lab work. ;)
But the big payoff is certainly worth all the vomit and curse words I heard (i think so at least) HAHAHA!
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Dr. Wagner DO
Moderator of Medical Complexity Forum
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - March 23, 2005 8:14:00 AM
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JLS_PT_OCS
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As a PhD you do not have the issues nor the earning potential of some with a clinical doctorate.
All I was referring to was the degree itself, I didn't mean to offend, Wags.
Anyone who went through med school and the ER residency deserves every dime they get, including you. I don't want that job!!
_____________________________
Jason Silvernail DPT, OCS, CSCS
"It isn't what you're able to do that requires your courage but rather what you have come to understand and are willing to express." - Barrett Dorko,PT
**I no longer post on RehabEdge**
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - March 23, 2005 10:46:00 AM
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Dr.Wagner
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From: Indianapolis
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Oh hell, I was just playing around...not offended at all.
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Dr. Wagner DO
Moderator of Medical Complexity Forum
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Re: Where can a PT degree lead? - March 23, 2005 10:09:00 PM
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Randy Dixon
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If you search google under biomechnanics listerve, you can find a listerver that presents lots of opportunities for PT's in research. I would just give you the address but I can't find it in this mess I call a computer.
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