Physical Therapist (PT)

Training

As a prerequisite to completing earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, physical therapists (PT) must have earned a bachelor’s degree. The length of professional DPT programs is typically two to three years, with most of the programs extending approximately three years.

The PT curriculum includes courses and content across the continuum of care and across a patient’s lifespan. The didactic coursework consists of basic sciences, foundational sciences, behavioral sciences, patient/client management courses, behavioral sciences, differential diagnosis, clinical decision making and research. PT students are required to complete at least 30 weeks of full-time clinical experience (internship).

PTs are trained to be first-line, primary care practitioners. Patients have some direct access to physical therapy in every state, the particulars of which are governed by the state. In many states, patients don’t need a physician’s referral to see a PT. However, patients and practitioners should check their insurance coverage requirements.

License/Certification

To practice as a PT in the US, a DPT student must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Each state regulates physical therapy licenses independently, so precise requirements for licensing and renewal on top of this exam vary by state.

General Description

Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life and promote, maintain and/or restore health.

PTs improve health and quality of life through screening, physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, physical interventions and rehabilitation, patient education, disease prevention, and health promotion and wellness.

PT treatment commonly includes specific exercise, manual therapy, hands-on care, assistive devices (e.g., cane, walker), prostheses, orthoses, physical modalities (e.g., heat, cold, electrical modalities) and patient education.

PTs diagnose and treat individuals across the continuum of care (i.e., acute care to chronic conditions and long-term disability) and across the lifespan (i.e., all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life).

PTs work in a variety of clinical settings, including acute care, hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation, outpatient clinics, privately owned physical therapy clinics, sports training facilities, school systems, skilled nursing facilities (i.e., nursing homes), hospices, extended care facilities, private homes, health and wellness clinics/centers, education and research centers.

Rheumatology Skill Set

A PT’s education and training include working with individuals with rheumatic disorders. Typically, PT interventions focus on pain relief, maintaining and regaining joint mobility and motion, muscle flexibility, maintaining and increasing strength and endurance, and preventing secondary disorders and complications, such as deformities. PTs work on improving mobility, the ability to perform activities of daily living and independent functioning. PTs work on educating the patient and family/caregiver about the disease process, including the effects of pathology processes and secondary damage from rheumatic disorders.

How/When to Refer

• After a new rheumatic/musculoskeletal diagnosis, injury, or surgery
• To evaluate a fall or other injury risk
• Upon a decline in mobility
• For chronic pain conditions
• To establish a program to increase physical activity
• For patient education/mobility intervention after any change in status
• To evaluate and develop Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommendations for the workplace
• To evaluate adaptive equipment needs

Case Study

Rose, a 50-year-old single female, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis one month ago. She just started methotrexate and prednisone to control inflammation. She reports a one-year history of general pain and swelling in her hands and feet, morning stiffness lasting two hours, extreme fatigue and malaise, and often drops things held in her hands, particularly if they are heavy. She is having difficulty getting through her morning routine and getting to work. She does office work and finds it difficult to type, walk or stand for long periods due to pain and fatigue. She has two children in their middle teens.

What Can This Professional Do for Rose?

The goals of PT treatment for Rose are to reduce pain, improve mobility, reduce joint stiffness, improve the ability to perform activities of daily living and prevent the development of deformities and complications. Treatment may include physical modalities to reduce pain, such as heat or cold, therapeutic exercise and hands-on/manual therapy to improve joint mobility and muscle strength, and aerobic exercise to address fatigue and improve endurance. PTs will train Rose on the ability to perform activities of daily living, as well as job tasks, to decrease her risk of injury. PTs will educate Rose about the disease process, including the effects of pathology processes and secondary damage from rheumatic disorders.

Updated July 2024