PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sarah ParksHealth 4190

What do Physical Therapists do?

■ “Physical Therapists can teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term health benefits. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.” (Who Are Physical Therapists?)

Why do I want to be a Physical Therapist?■ In high school I played a wide variety of sports, and during

the course of these sports I tore my gastrocnemius, or calf muscle. I wore a boot for 8 weeks while my muscle healed, but the boot caused my right hip to adjust, changing the orientation of my pelvis which resulted in nine twisted vertebra that took several months of therapy on two different occasions to get oriented correctly. To this day I struggle with back pain, and on some days it prevents me from being as active as I would like.

■ I want to provide holistic treatment that leads to the eradication of injury and pain so that no other individuals have treatment lead to other physical issues.

Why do I want to be a Physical Therapist? Contd.■ I am fascinated by the human body and the ways that it

moves and operates in the presence and absence of injury.■ I am extremely relational, and possess a personality that

puts people at ease. ■ I am very empathetic and have a natural tendency to help

people when I am skilled to do so.■ A career as a physical therapist provides me the opportunity

to help people, study the human body, and form relationships both with my co-workers and my patients.

History of Physical Therapy■ Hippocrates is often referred to as the father of medicine

and was the first physician to research joints and their movements. (Pettman, 165)

■ Hippocrates was known for his work with manipulative therapy. (Pettman, 165)

■ The first physical therapy association was formed in 1921 and named the “American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association” and contained 274 charter members. (APTA History)

■ The following year the association changed their name to the “American Physiotherapy Association” and allowed men to join. (APTA History)

■ The profession grew due to World War II and the polio epidemic in the 1940s and 1950s. (APTA History)

Growth Potential & Salary■ As of 2014 there were 210,900 employed Physical Therapists in

the US. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)■ According to the Bureau of Labor the projected percent change in

employment from 2014 to 2024 is 34%. This is much greater than the average for all occupation growth at 7%. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

■ The projected numerical employment change for the physical therapy profession from 2014-2024 is 71,800. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

■ The 2014 median pay was $82,390 a year, or $39.61 per hour. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

■ According to O*Net Profiler sources, the physical therapy profession has a “Bright Outlook” meaning new job opportunities are very likely in the future.

South Carolina vs. United States

(O*Net)

Skills & Qualities■ My top O*Net Profile results consisted of a Social score of

38, an Investigative score of 22, an Artistic score of 16, and a Realistic Score of 14.

■ The interest code for Physical Therapists is given as SIR, which matches my scores very well. (O*Net)

■ I am a very social individual. I enjoy working with, and helping people, as well as helping others reach goals. I enjoy solving problems and coming up with new ideas. I am a kinesthetic learner and would prefer to work with my hands, this is one of the main identifiers for the Realistic interest.

■ I value hard work and determination, while still being aware of others and their emotions. Recovery is a long and often painful process, and is best accomplished in different ways with different individuals.

Graduate Programs

■ There are only two schools in South Carolina that have accredited Physical Therapy Schools. – University of South Carolina– Medical University of South Carolina

■ A Master’s degree or Doctoral degree is usually needed to practice. (O*Net)

■ I plan to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and will be applying to between 5 and 8 schools for the 2017-2018 matriculation year.

Applications & Admissions■ Most physical therapy schools in the country use the

Physical Therapist Central Application Service (PTCAS), an online application for admissions. While many schools also include supplemental items to this application, the centralized system makes the application process much easier. ■ Most schools (including USC and MUSC) require the essential core prerequisites listed below:– 4 hours of Anatomy– 4 hours of Physiology– 8 hours of Biology– 8 hours of General Chemistry– 8 hours of Physics – 3 hours of Psychology– 3 hours of Statistics– At least 1 hour of Medical Terminology

USC Columbia PT School

■ USC has the same listed pre-requisite classes listed on the previous page, as well as the following requirements and associated costs of attendance:

Minimum GPA Average GPA Minimum

GRE Average GRE # Rec Letters Rec Letter Specifics

PreReq Courses

Observation Hours

Observation Specifics Tuition

3.0 overall, 3.0 program specific

3.82 overall, 3.84 program specific

29% Verbal, 25% Quantitative,

38%/3.5 Writing

Verbal: 78%, Quantitative: 56%, Writing:

56%/4.0 TOTAL MUST BE AT LEAST 300

2

"strongly encourage"

Physical Therapist

No Required Parties

Anatomy and Physiology1 (4),

Anatomy and Physiology2 (4),

Biology (4), Biological

Science (4), Chemistry (8), Physics1 (4), Physics2 (4), Statistics (3)

50Can be Paid, Volunteer,

Inpatient, or Outpatient

$6,192 per full-time semester

Admission Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.sph.sc.edu/dpt/prospective-admissions.htm

Conclusion■ Medicine has always been what I wanted to be involved with

when I grew up. It’s ability to aid, support, and improve health of individuals has always appealed to me.

■ Physical Therapy allows me the opportunity to collaborate with other medical personnel, such as physicians and nurses, as we work together towards achieving wellness for a patient.

■ A career in Physical Therapy affords me the chance to bring my skills and experience, personality, and multiple activities that I enjoy together in a way that provides an opportunity for me to make a difference on both an individual level as well as a greater scale.

References■ Admission Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.sph.sc.edu/dpt/prospective-

admissions.htm■ APTA History. (2015, November 20). Retrieved January 15, 2016, from http://www.apta.org/History/■ Benefits of a Physical Therapist Career. (2013, March 28). Retrieved January 15, 2016, from

http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/Benefits/■ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition,

Physical Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (visited January 15, 2016).

■ O*NET Interest Profiler. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2016, from http://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip■ Pettman, E. (2007). A History of Manipulative Therapy. The Journal of Manual & Manipulative

Therapy, 15(3), 165–174. ■ The Ten Happiest Jobs. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2016, from

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/glmm45gi/physical-therapists/