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Andrew M. Ball, MS, PT -> Re: Will Physical Therapy ever be the same? (October 9, 1999 5:01:00 PM)
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The sad thing is not what is happening to our profession, but our inability to think out of the box anymore. Physical therapy was born from Polio, but it's been quite some time since I've seen anyone with even post-polio syndrome. What happened? As Polio died off, PT's were smart enough to fill a nich in the rehab of injured veterns, through the end of WWII. PT's at that time were smart enough to again identify a new market nich, namely cerebral palsy. Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, and Low Back Pain (& other ortho stuff) came later, but this was not the creating force of our profession. We are now faced with a similar situation, we are not viewed as effective by the health community, and worse yet, but the general american population. Because the population has lost faith in us, we have lost our way. I however, intead of complaining, have a few ideas . . .
Here's the "tough love folks", a professional physical therapy degree, at any level (DipPT, BS, MS, or DPT) is no longer sufficient if you plan to retain the freedoms that we have enjoyed in the past. A professional (entry-level degree) AT ANY level, is about as useful as a BS or BA in psychology or communications. Can you get a job? Yes. Will it suck? Most likely.
Most current students are under no disillusion of their need to continue their education with an advanced degree. Consider this . . .
My students have considered what the value to a law firm may be of a PT who took 6 months of their time to complete a paralegal certificate. Have you?
My students have considered the value of a PT with a degree in computer science or engineering to the biotechnology firm attempting to build a low-cost prothetic limb which actually recieves implules from the central nervous system of the patient. Have you?
My child-loving students have you considered the value of a PT with a master's in special education to the local school system. Have you?
My students have considered working for an internet service such as MedDoc.com, which provides customized, real-time information on exercise, development, or a whole host of other physical therapy related topics to web-surfers for a nominal fee. Have you?
We must also consider the prospect of non-clinical positions such as insurance claims review, or case working.
Will physical therapy ever be the same? I doubt it, but change is not a bad thing. It is part evolution. Over time it will weed out the filth and muck from our profession, and there will be unfortunate casualties of excellent clinicians along the way. Skilled or unskilled is NOT the issue. Experienced or inexperienced is NOT the issue. Even effiency of seeing obscene numbers of patents per day is NOT the issue. The issue is the abiliy to think out of the box, identity a NEW market niche, and exploit it. Those up for the challange, I welcome you into the exciting millenium of physical therapy 2000. Those with their fists in the the air and head in the sand, future therapists will remember you, but I'd bet not fondly.
MOVE INTO ACTION NOT COMPLACENCY!!!!
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Andrew M. Ball, MS, PT
MBA/PhD Candidate
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