So You Want to be a Physiotherapist?

By Lakshini Mendis

Physiotherapists (or physical therapists as they are sometimes known) are health-care professionals who use physical intervention to promote mobility, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.

While many physiotherapists work as part of a wider remedial team in a hospital environment, more than 80% practice in other settings from aged nursing facilities, to private practices, schools, and sports-fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010, physiotherapists in the US earned an average wage of $76,310 annually. Further, a growth of 39% of the profession is expected by 2020.

To practice as a physiotherapist in the US, you must now complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) and pass a state-administered national exam. The Master of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Physical Therapy are no longer offered to new students in the US. The DPT degree is a competitive 3-4 year post-baccalaureate program. It is worth noting that some programs offer freshman entry into a streamlined program of three undergrad years and three graduate years to earn the DPT degree. You can find a comprehensive list of schools that provide an accredited DPT program here.

Completion of a DPT degree can be followed by further training via residencies or fellowships, or by gaining a specialty certification. There are currently eight recognized specialty areas in physical therapy. These are: cardiovascular and pulmonary physiotherapy, clinical electrophysiology, geriatric, integumentary, neurological, orthopedic, pediatric, sports and women’s health.

But what is working as a physiotherapist really like? I chatted to Narisara Dhruv and Blair Davids to find out. Nari works as part of the Acute Physiotherapy team at Waikato hospital and Blair works as an Aged Care physiotherapist in Brisbane.

What attracted you to this profession?
Nari:
I always wanted to help people. I have always been interested in learning about and understanding the human body and its mechanics, but not to the extent of becoming a doctor. Being a physiotherapist offers routine hours and allows you to have a great work/life balance.

Blair:
What attracted me to the profession, initially, was the sporting side of physiotherapy, which was the only side I really knew about to begin with. I wanted a job that was practical and active, and one that helped people as well. Once I learnt more about it, I realized that the scope of working as a physiotherapist is actually quite large. The fact that I could work in a variety of different areas and impact different types of peoples’ lives really attracted me to the profession.

What do you think are some of the characteristics a physiotherapist should have?
Nari:
I think a physiotherapist should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, and caring. Excellent communication skills and the ability to think on your feet during a difficult situation help too.

Blair:
I think physiotherapists need good people skills and a dedication to helping people. We are often the motivators and teachers of our patients, so patience and a genuine interest in the person is important. A physiotherapist also needs to be adaptable and hard working to be able to carry out the job.

What is your typical day like?
Nari:
This really depends on how busy the wards are. I usually start work at 7.30am and start seeing patients at 8am. For the first half hour of my day, I receive a list of patients that I need to see that day in the hospital wards, Intensive Care Unit, and High Dependency Unit, so that I can plan out my day. I then see patients throughout the day. I usually have some ‘down time’ after 2pm to do paper work or to work on projects, and I usually leave work by 4pm (never later!).

Blair:
My typical day involves assessing and treating older adults. I usually start my day off with referrals and any acute patients, which are my priorities for the day. I then typically see the patients that need more time and extra rehabilitation, before moving onto my usual patients. It is usually manageable, but if someone has a fall or I have to see new patients, this often means a restructure of my day.

What is the best thing about being a physiotherapist?
Nari:
I gain extreme job satisfaction from the successful rehabilitation of patients. My working hours are fixed, which allow me to have a life outside work. Finally, I get the opportunity to meet lots of interesting people with amazing stories.

Blair:
The reward is the best thing about being a physiotherapist. I think seeing patients achieve their goals and improve their quality of life is the best feeling. This profession also allows me to help people make positive changes to their health, impacting their lives for the better. I love my job because of these reasons, and I think that is a bonus in itself. Generally, as a profession, we physiotherapists are known to love our jobs.

Have you faced any challenges (either in your training or career as a physiotherapist)? How did you overcome them?
Nari:
Challenges are inevitable! They could easily range from miscommunications with doctors/nurses, dealing with difficult patients (who sometimes view me as a ‘slave-driver’!), or when I just have no clue what to do with my patient. In these situations, I remain calm, and find someone who can help me problem-solve. I am usually able to get the job done!

Blair:
I have faced a few challenges, whether it is the patients themselves or their condition. I overcame these challenges by pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and by being willing to persist and figure out solutions. It requires innovation, as well as knowing when to turn to senior staff members for help, or doing extra research to find the latest evidence based practices.

What do you think the job outlook is like for physiotherapy?
Nari:
Great! Recent studies and statistics show that in 5-10 years there will be more people over the age of 65. Hospitals and communities would require more physiotherapists to help maintain their quality of life. Additionally, by keeping them healthy with exercise, physiotherapists can help reduce the rate of hospital admissions and the duration of their stay. As we all know, prevention is better than cure!

Blair:
I think the job outlook is promising with our aging population. As people are now living for longer, this means that many face chronic conditions, which in turn mean many will need physiotherapy at some point in their lives. Our wide scope of practice and ability to work in different areas mean more jobs are available.

Do you have any advice for someone considering a career as a physiotherapist?
Nari:
Just do it! If you love helping and working with people, then physiotherapy is an option for you. Remember, physiotherapy is not just about working with famous athletes or treating someone with back pain; it is much more than that! Do your research before making a decision.

Blair:
If someone is keen on becoming a physiotherapist, I would advise them to research about it first and engage in some work experience to see if it is the right job for you. I think if a person is looking for a rewarding and fun job, and is willing to work with people and help them, then physiotherapy is the profession for you.

 
For more information check out the American Physical Therapy Association - a great comprehensive resource for students and professionals alike!

    

About the Author

Lakshini Mendis, a PhD student at the Center for Brain Research in Auckland, is studying how the human brain changes in Alzheimer's disease. She is is passionate about good science communication and changing the stereotype of females in STEM. She also writes for HDBuzz.  When she's not working, you can usually find Lakshini curled up with a good book, spending time with family and friends, or exploring somewhere new! Find her musings on  Twitter here

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