Introduction

The role of a physical therapist (PT) is an exciting one that comes with several challenges as one seeks to complete his or her career. International physical therapists are professionals in the field of medicine who assist, treat and rehabilitate patient with injuries, chronic diseases and disability.

They deal with people of all age and they help to treat all sorts of disorders that limit physical activity. It takes a lot of years of education as well as training in order to become a physical therapist. The development of higher education and gaining experiences and license in the occupation are described in this article, as well as the necessity to continue education in the field.

Educational Journey for Physical Therapists

1.     Importance of a Bachelor’s Degree

Here is the educational journey of physical therapist, even before one can apply for a chance to take a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, he or she must secure a bachelor’s degree. This undergraduate education offers the background that is needed for one to be admitted in a DPT program.

Though there is no restricted major, it is advisable for students to select a major that would need the to complete some courses that are essential in the physical therapy school as well as prepare them for the competitive curriculum that they are likely to face in this field.

2.     Typical Courses That Every aspiring PT Should Endeavor to Pursue

Since most students who wish to practice as physical therapists have appropriate majors in programs with close affiliations with the body and its structure. Popular majors include:

• Biology: Enables a person to get a good grounding in the biological science which is very important in comprehending the intricate mechanism of the human body.
• Kinesiology: Conceptual framework of the mechanics of body movement is somewhat more proximal to what is done in a physical therapy.
• Exercise Science: Helps to explain how certain exercises affect the human body so that the student can prepare for the rehabilitation stage.
• Psychology: Psychology is not closely connected to physical therapy, but it lets students learn more about the mental and emotional state of a patient.

3.     Courses for Physical Therapists

Regardless of the major that s/he opts for, one must complete some required prerequisite courses of physical therapists so as to be considered for admission into the DPT. These courses give all the scientific knowledge necessary for further study of physical therapy.

Common prerequisite courses include:

• Anatomy and Physiology: Pertaining to the study of the human body and major body systems in order to understand how every technique is run.
• Biology: Pre-requisite classes include general biology, which gives an outline on life sciences relevant in matters concerning health and diseases.
• Chemistry: To understand the chemical process within the body, a student normally has to undertake general and organic chemistry.
• Physics: Physics forms the fundamentals of movement and mechanics in human body hence making it necessary to understand the principles of physics.

4.     Graduate Education for Physical Therapists

These courses are important not only for fulfillment of the application prerequisites but also for the preparation of the students for the rigorous scientific and clinical courses offered in the DPT programs.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program: It is also known as superior training whereby trainers’ work is more concentrated and detailed as compared to normal training.

Change from Undergraduate to post Graduate Education

Following the attainment of a bachelor’s degree, the next step to practicing as a physical therapist is going for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. DPT has become the recognized degree for practice and become the terminal degree replacing the master’s degree in physical therapy. Change of the entrance level from a masters to a doctoral level is in line with the evolution of the profession and its demands.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirement to a DPT program is always competitive due to the high level of training that accompany this profession. Besides excellent academic performance, a candidate has to provide his/her practical experience, which usually is obtained through volunteering or internships in PT environments. Other programs also ask for the letters of recommendation, a personal statement and passing scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

5.     The organization of the DPT Program

The DPT programs usually takes three years and consists of classroom learning, laboratory sessions and clinical practice. As it is known, the curriculum of the training gives in-depth knowledge of the human body, movement and therapeutic techniques. Core components of the DPT program include:

• Biomechanics: It is actually the study of mechanics of the body movements and how muscles, bones and joints function.
• Neuroscience: Knowledge of the nervous system is necessary in identifying the presence of any disease or illness that may have implications on the body’s ability to move or feel.
• Pharmacology: Even though PTs do not diagnose or administer medications, it would be helpful for PTs to know how particular medications may influence rehabilitation.
• Clinical Reasoning: This particular competency entails using knowledge as well as evidence based best practices in formulating and executing specific therapeutic intervention plans.

Clinical Experience

Another aspect considered as very significant in imparting DPT education is the Clinical experience. One of the most important requirements that any DPT student must meet before obtaining a license is to prove confirmation through several clinical rotations where the student is under the supervision of licensed physical therapist in hospitals or outpatient clinics or rehabilitation centers.

These rotations also enable students to practice what they have learnt in class, gain practical skills, and know how to deal with patents and other caregivers. Clinical experience also enables the learners to be in a position to learn various aspects of their future practice and also to know the specializations they may wish to practice after completing their studies.

6.    Certification for Physical Therapists

National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)

When the DPT graduate is through with his or her degree program, he or she has to take the National Physical Therapy Examination NPTE so as to be licensed to practice as a physical therapist. The NPTE comprises of various questions that would test all the knowledge and skills that is needed for safe and effective practice. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

Patient Care Management: As with the previous section, questions in this area assess the capacity for assessment and planning of interventions, organizing and implementing treatment plans, evaluating the effectiveness of these plans as well as making changes if required.

Examination and Evaluation: This section measures the fluency in patient assessments, for example the medical history taking of a particular patient, or their physical assessment.

Interventions: This part of the exam assesses the practical knowledge of the techniques, modalities, and exercises applied in the treatment of physical therapy clients.

Ethical and Legal Considerations: Due to legal and ethical consideration, PTs need to be very careful in their practice, the following evaluate their level of understanding in these two areas.

State Licensing

However, to practice physical therapy, one has to pass the NPTE exams but also fulfil other state licensing regulations also different from one state to the other. Depending on the state requirements, there may be additional exams and in some states; continuing education for licensure as well. That is why it is crucial for the candidates to know the particularities of the state in which they are going to work.

7.     Accreditation for Physical Therapy Programs

Purpose of Advanced Training

Some of the physical therapists decide to go for a residency or fellowship after the attainment of the DPT and license though it is not mandatory. These programs offer further, postgraduate education and training in selected fields of physical therapy thereby enabling the already trained PTs to further their training and improve on their working marketability.

Clinical Residency Programs

Clinical residencies programs are post-professional training programs which takes about 9 to 36 months. They offer intensive training in a specialized area of physical therapy, such as:

• Orthopedics: Actively contains information regarding diagnosis and treatment of disorders that have an impact on musculoskeletal system.
• Sports Medicine: Concentrates on the area of athletics and physical activities’ injury prevention, identification, and management.
• Neurology: Concerns itself with those conditions that involve the nervous system for instance the stoke or Parkinson’s disease.
• Pediatrics: An ambulatory care facility that mainly provides services to infants, children and adolescents with physical disability or developmental impairments.

Fellowship Programs

Fellowships program are next in rank than residency, and they can be sought by the PTs who have done their residency or having a lot of practice in specific area of interest in their career. A fellowship provides much more specialized training in disciplines including, but not limited to, manual therapy, sports rehabilitation or in orthopedics.

Benefits of Specialization

Gaining a residency or fellowship may be very useful for the PTs who plan to work on the specialized level and to stand out in the job market. These programs also equip the PTs for leadership in practice, research, or academics. Also, health care staff developed in specialized areas has been shown to improve the quality of health care delivery and result in patient satisfaction.

8.       Educational Journey for Physical Therapists

The Continuation Learning

Education journey for Physical therapy is a dynamic profession because information in this specialty is dynamic and new information as well as new technologies and approaches are developed. Therefore, it becomes imperative for physical therapists to undergo continuing education in order to be in a position to update themselves on the current developments.

The state licensing boards always have continuing education requirements wherein the PTs are expected to complete a given number of CEUs after a given period of time before the license can be renewed.

 Kinds of Continuing Education

It can therefore come in various forms and this give the PTs a variety of option on what they feel is most suitable for their learning and practice. Common options include:

• Workshops and Seminars: These are generally practical ones in where students in PT are able to apply some of the new methods and strategies learnt from the tutors.
• Online Courses: Various colleges and universities provide asynchronous distance learning classes which PTs can take while working which involves a lot of topics relevant to the industry.
• Professional Conferences: The Benefits of conference involvement include: getting insights from professionals, interacting with fellow professionals and getting informed about the latest development in physical therapy.
• Certifications: Option also exists for the PTs to get further certifications in the areas of their interest such as Orthopedic manual therapy or Lymphedema management.

The Effect that Continuing Education has on Practice

Continuing education by PTs does not only enable updating of the knowledge and practice of the PTs, but also enables the PTs to improve on the quality of care they give to the patients. These make them in a position to incorporate the new effective treatment principles into the patient management plans thus resulting to better patients. The APTA program enhances the professional development of PTs, could enhance PTs’ knowledge base, increase challengers to explore, and invigorate their jobs.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is only possible to become a physical therapist after one acquires a doctor of physical therapy degree, which is usually acquired after completing a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy related field. This is followed by passing of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as well as acquiring state license.

Professional development is also required to renew the license besides helping individuals to update their practice with the current trends. It prepares this category of physical therapists with the necessary skills and knowledge that enables them to assist the patients to regain their bodies’ mobility.