What I Learned about the Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy (DPT)

Macrine had been under the care of a physical therapist(PT) for the last 8 weeks. Macrine's mobility has improved quite a lot and today she did a few steps with the walker under the able supervision of her PT (C) employed by Blossom Ridge Home Care(BRHC) Agency. I am very please with the PT (C) performance that I reported it to her supervisor. I believe she will get a free Star Buck coffee with my call.

C excellent performance made me curious of what kind of training C had. She informed me she has a doctorate degree in Physical therapy (DPT). She is new to BRHC and just completed her 90 day probation last week and now a permanent employee of BRHC. C informed me she has a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology* and took her another three years to get her DPT complete with a doctoral thesis.

Here's a summary of what I learned about DPT versus the standard Ph.D program such as my Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Illinois.

"The practice of physical therapy is quickly advancing and moving into new realms. This is an exciting period of growth and development in this profession. The changes in health care delivery, social demographics, and globalization of health care are perfect opportunities for physical therapists to take on new and emerging roles in our health care system and to provide leadership in the field. As the profession forges ahead, a question arises: Is it time to discuss the idea of a “clinical doctorate” as the requirement for entry level to practice?

A clinical doctorate (or “practice doctorate”) programme is an entry-level degree that prepares students with the competencies required to enter clinical practice and become eligible for licensure. In physical therapy, this is often called the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. It differs from a PhD, where the focus is on research and the production of original scholarly work, and from a “post-professional doctorate” or “advanced practice doctorate,” which offers study in advanced or specialized clinical competencies to professionals who have graduated with another entry-level qualification, such as a bachelor's or master's degree".

For more information on DPT read the following: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076909/

*One of my grand daughters graduated last April with a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. She plans to pursue a Masters Degree from UC Davis this year.