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Pulse, special section of The Buffalo News, Summer 2006

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Two of the fastest growing occupations in the US

Dr. Brian Porebski, PT, DPT

Physical therapy and occupational therapy rate in the top 10 for the fastest-growing occupations according to recent published reports. Both occupational and physical therapies were also rated in the top 50 as best jobs in America by MONEY Magazine this year.

A physical therapist (PT) is a health care practitioner who assesses and treats a variety of health related conditions. The PT works with patients who have limitations of their muscular, skeletal, neurological, circulatory, and respiratory systems. The PT seeks to return a patient to their highest level of independence by examining individuals and developing plans using treatment techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. An Occupational Therapist (OT) provides skilled treatment to help individuals achieve independence in all areas of their lives. An OT utilizes therapeutic interventions to help individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities to be as independent and functional as possible in their environments. The goal of the OT is to examine the individual, then create and implement treatment plans specific to that person to rehabilitate from, or adapt to, a disability or illness. OT’s help people to achieve maximum functioning and independence in all settings.

One of the biggest factors in the recent rise in these two professions is the shift in education requirements. As recently as five years ago, most physical and occupational therapy programs offered a bachelor’s degree, however there has been a change to many curriculums, requiring a master’s and or doctorate degree upon graduation. This is evident locally, as the University of Buffalo, D’Youville College, and Daemen College are all offering a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Most major OT programs are also requiring a minimum of a Master’s degree. With increased education, comes an increased commitment to learning, and therefore fewer students enroll in these programs, as a typical class currently graduates a maximum of 20-30 students, where as five years ago,100 graduates were the norm. With respect to physical therapy, as these local schools transition to the Doctorate level, even fewer therapists are on the market, as their education takes up to six years with the DPT degree, versus graduating students every four years from a bachelors program. With these changes, the law of supply and demand takes hold, and therefore the need for both PT’s and OT’s is projected to be very favorable in the future.

Like many jobs in the healthcare industry, the growth of these occupations is also related to the aging population of the baby bomber generation, requiring therapy services for a plethora of problems, including an increase in age related overuse and degenerative problems, stroke, diabetes, and the obesity related health conditions. It isn’t however only the baby bombers, it is their children who also require skilled therapy services. Over the last 10 years, the medical profession has moved in a proactive direction, identifying and treating children who are in need of early intervention services. Children who have developmental delays, or have medical diagnoses that can impact normal development and learning, may also require therapy services.

The practice of PT and OT continues to grow and change, and due to the dynamic nature of the professions, a commitment to life long learning is required. In light of tighter re-imbursement and stricter Medicare/insurance regulations, clinicians are finding themselves focusing on the principals of the scientific method and evidence based practice to deliver the most efficient and effective treatment plan. Everyone benefits from the increased knowledge therapists receive both in college and with career continuing education, as the patient gets better faster, while minimizing excessive health care costs to insurance carriers. As therapists enhance their academic knowledge and clinical expertise, they move closer to gaining autonomy within their profession, and making a positive contribution on the healthcare continuum.

There are many career opportunities for physical and occupational therapists. Therapists can work with people of all ages and abilities, ranging from infants to the elderly. They can work in multiple settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, private practices, schools, corporations, health and human service agencies, home health agencies, and athletic teams. Therapists require strong inter-personal skills, multi-tasking abilities, excellent judgment and problem solving abilities, compassion, tact, flexibility, patience, and strong verbal and written communication skills.

For further information about these professions visit the American Physical Therapy Association, at www.apta.org or the American Occupational Therapy Association at www.aota.org.

Dr. Brian Porebski is a physical therapist and Director of Rehabilitation at People Inc.’s Elmwood Health Center. The Elmwood Health Center, located in North Buffalo, is a multidisciplinary health care facility, providing primary care, specialty care including OB/GYN, podiatry, neurology, outpatient rehabilitation, and counseling services to patients with a variety of disorders and diagnoses.