3 answers
Hope
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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What is the hardest part of being a physical therapist?
Possible future career, want to know more about what it involves.
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3 answers
Donna Calvert, PT, PhD
physical therapist
48
Answers
Mission, Kansas
Updated
Donna’s Answer
As a physical therapist for 35+ years in several different settings, I found each setting had its own rewards and challenges. PT's can work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities,home health, school systems, etc. In each setting, it was extremely rewarding to work with patients to achieve their highest level of independence, improve their function or decrease their pain. A typical day had regularly scheduled patients for the PT to see, either for an initial evaluation or ongoing treatment. Some settings have PT Assistants or aids to help with aspects of treatments; others the PT does the entire treatment themselves. As patients improve, you change their treatment goals and set up a new program for them to work on, so the work is ever-changing and can be very challenging when a patient isn't improving or cooperating. Most patient interactions are very enjoyable.
There is always the paperwork/computer charting aspect of the job and that can be exasperating some days, but it is necessary to do that well so someone else can step in to work with your patient if you can't. Also, there are opportunities to work both full and part time in PT, as your own life events change.
PT is an excellent field and the demand will continue into the future as higher numbers of the population age.
Look at American PT association website: apta.org
There is always the paperwork/computer charting aspect of the job and that can be exasperating some days, but it is necessary to do that well so someone else can step in to work with your patient if you can't. Also, there are opportunities to work both full and part time in PT, as your own life events change.
PT is an excellent field and the demand will continue into the future as higher numbers of the population age.
Donna recommends the following next steps:
Lauren Ellis Triemstra
Physical Therapist Assistant
19
Answers
Joliet, Illinois
Updated
Lauren Ellis’s Answer
Hi Hope!
I'm a Physical Therapist Assistant and have worked in an outpatient orthopedic setting for >10 Years. My biggest challenge working has been PHYSICAL BURNOUT.
The job is physically demanding on the PT providers, too. All day long I'm bending over, stretching a patient's knee that had a joint replacement, then stretching a patient's shoulder, hopping up on a stool to get a better angle to do manual therapy on a patient's back, demonstrating exercises with the patient, or helping patients transfer from sit to stand or from lying down to sitting that need assistance doing so. It was easier when I was 10 years younger and before I had kids (which added another layer of physical strain especially on my core; that on top of the lack of sleep having a baby at home but that's a whole other story! :-)). As the years went on, my body got tired and sore. It's important to keep up your own fitness, or practice what you preach (doing physical therapy exercises to self-treat and maintain your own health). I've worked on coworkers and they've worked on me since we know what's wrong and know what we need to fix whatever is bothering us but can't do it to ourselves. In my experience working, I knew few other therapists that didn't have their own personal ailment of some kind. So it's great knowledge to have because it's so applicable to all!
Working a 10 hour shift, I can see 12-18 patients a day. 1, 2, or 3 patients an hour depending on the time of day. So TIME MANAGEMENT is a constant daily/hourly struggle.
"Ok, I have 2 patients coming in at the same time, one needs to get stretched first, so I'll have the other one do their exercises in the beginning of their session so I can do all my manual therapy on the first patient and then switch halfway through." This is my thought process all day long and it gets even more complicated when there are 3 patients that hour or someone comes late or has to leave early. I'm always juggling my time and my resources, which is me and I only have 2 hands.
(I am currently not working. I am a stay at home mom right now. When I return I plan to significantly reduce my hours/volume and start off as PRN, which is as needed where I pick up time kind of like a substitute teacher, in a Home Health setting, which should only be 1 patient at a time. And when my schedule allows, return to outpatient orthopedic because I loved it, but only part time.)
Before becoming a PTA, I worked in the business industry, so paperwork/documentation doesn't bother me because that's ALL I used to do. Despite the physical and mental exhaustion, I still prefer it over a desk job any day.
In outpatient orthopedics, it's rare to see older therapists, likely due to the physical demands I've mentioned. Kudos to the ones that keep up with it. Many transition into less physically demanding roles as they age. This is my opinion, based on what I have seen. I'm sure this is not always the case. But that's my plan! To reduce my hours and patient load to lessen the physical stress on my body. But I do love the industry very much and get so much satisfaction helping people that I will keep it up as long as my body lets me.
Good luck in your research!
I'm a Physical Therapist Assistant and have worked in an outpatient orthopedic setting for >10 Years. My biggest challenge working has been PHYSICAL BURNOUT.
The job is physically demanding on the PT providers, too. All day long I'm bending over, stretching a patient's knee that had a joint replacement, then stretching a patient's shoulder, hopping up on a stool to get a better angle to do manual therapy on a patient's back, demonstrating exercises with the patient, or helping patients transfer from sit to stand or from lying down to sitting that need assistance doing so. It was easier when I was 10 years younger and before I had kids (which added another layer of physical strain especially on my core; that on top of the lack of sleep having a baby at home but that's a whole other story! :-)). As the years went on, my body got tired and sore. It's important to keep up your own fitness, or practice what you preach (doing physical therapy exercises to self-treat and maintain your own health). I've worked on coworkers and they've worked on me since we know what's wrong and know what we need to fix whatever is bothering us but can't do it to ourselves. In my experience working, I knew few other therapists that didn't have their own personal ailment of some kind. So it's great knowledge to have because it's so applicable to all!
Working a 10 hour shift, I can see 12-18 patients a day. 1, 2, or 3 patients an hour depending on the time of day. So TIME MANAGEMENT is a constant daily/hourly struggle.
"Ok, I have 2 patients coming in at the same time, one needs to get stretched first, so I'll have the other one do their exercises in the beginning of their session so I can do all my manual therapy on the first patient and then switch halfway through." This is my thought process all day long and it gets even more complicated when there are 3 patients that hour or someone comes late or has to leave early. I'm always juggling my time and my resources, which is me and I only have 2 hands.
(I am currently not working. I am a stay at home mom right now. When I return I plan to significantly reduce my hours/volume and start off as PRN, which is as needed where I pick up time kind of like a substitute teacher, in a Home Health setting, which should only be 1 patient at a time. And when my schedule allows, return to outpatient orthopedic because I loved it, but only part time.)
Before becoming a PTA, I worked in the business industry, so paperwork/documentation doesn't bother me because that's ALL I used to do. Despite the physical and mental exhaustion, I still prefer it over a desk job any day.
In outpatient orthopedics, it's rare to see older therapists, likely due to the physical demands I've mentioned. Kudos to the ones that keep up with it. Many transition into less physically demanding roles as they age. This is my opinion, based on what I have seen. I'm sure this is not always the case. But that's my plan! To reduce my hours and patient load to lessen the physical stress on my body. But I do love the industry very much and get so much satisfaction helping people that I will keep it up as long as my body lets me.
Good luck in your research!
Debbie Morton
Business Consulting
68
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Debbie’s Answer
Hello Hope!
As a physical therapist, you may face a few common hurdles such as compassion fatigue, physical stress, and the constant need for thorough documentation. You might also encounter patients who have high expectations but neglect their home exercises. However, remember that these challenges are part of the journey to making a significant difference in people's lives.
Becoming a Physical Therapist:
Physical therapists are healthcare heroes who use a range of techniques, including massage and stretching, to help their patients. To join this noble profession, you'll need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and you must be licensed in your state.
Education:
Your journey begins with earning a DPT degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These programs usually span three years and often require a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as recreation and fitness or healthcare, along with prerequisite courses like anatomy, chemistry, and physics.
Application to most DPT programs is through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The curriculum typically includes courses in biomechanics, neuroscience, and pharmacology, and also involves clinical work for hands-on experience in areas like acute care and orthopedic care.
After graduation, you might consider a clinical residency program for an additional year to gain more training and experience in specialty areas. If you wish to delve deeper into a specific area, you can participate in a fellowship. The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education provides directories for these programs.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:
Every state mandates that physical therapists be licensed, which involves passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Other requirements might include a law exam or a criminal background check, depending on the state. To maintain your license, continuing education is usually necessary. It's best to check with your state board for specific licensing requirements.
With some work experience under your belt, you might decide to become a board-certified specialist. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers certification in various clinical specialty areas of physical therapy, such as orthopedics, sports, and geriatrics. To become a board specialist, you'll need to pass an exam and complete clinical work in the specialty area.
Remember, every step you take in this journey equips you to make a profound impact on the lives of your patients. Keep going, and keep growing!
As a physical therapist, you may face a few common hurdles such as compassion fatigue, physical stress, and the constant need for thorough documentation. You might also encounter patients who have high expectations but neglect their home exercises. However, remember that these challenges are part of the journey to making a significant difference in people's lives.
Becoming a Physical Therapist:
Physical therapists are healthcare heroes who use a range of techniques, including massage and stretching, to help their patients. To join this noble profession, you'll need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and you must be licensed in your state.
Education:
Your journey begins with earning a DPT degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These programs usually span three years and often require a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as recreation and fitness or healthcare, along with prerequisite courses like anatomy, chemistry, and physics.
Application to most DPT programs is through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The curriculum typically includes courses in biomechanics, neuroscience, and pharmacology, and also involves clinical work for hands-on experience in areas like acute care and orthopedic care.
After graduation, you might consider a clinical residency program for an additional year to gain more training and experience in specialty areas. If you wish to delve deeper into a specific area, you can participate in a fellowship. The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education provides directories for these programs.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:
Every state mandates that physical therapists be licensed, which involves passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Other requirements might include a law exam or a criminal background check, depending on the state. To maintain your license, continuing education is usually necessary. It's best to check with your state board for specific licensing requirements.
With some work experience under your belt, you might decide to become a board-certified specialist. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers certification in various clinical specialty areas of physical therapy, such as orthopedics, sports, and geriatrics. To become a board specialist, you'll need to pass an exam and complete clinical work in the specialty area.
Remember, every step you take in this journey equips you to make a profound impact on the lives of your patients. Keep going, and keep growing!