Allow me to clarify my earlier posting. I did not mean to imply most PT
programs offer the DPT. What I was saying was of those that offer the DPT
most are at entry level.
Currently, according to CAPTE, ~45-50% of US PT programs are offering the
DPT or converting to the DPT. Many of those programs are offering a tDPT
(transitional.) Similar to when all other professions transitioned to a
"doctor" there is a period when you have to bring the rest of the profession
up to the same credential. In 10-15 years I think most of the public will
not be aware that PTs were not DPTs for a long time.
Clinical education is not standardized yet. Most of the programs I am
familiar with have a minimum of 6 months clinical education. Comparing
clinical education to MDs is a little apples and oranges. There are many
"doctors" and many types of practical educational experiences.
Collegially yours,
Douglas M. White, PT, OCS
Dave Riddell asked how many hours are required for clinical rotations.
I am not an expert on school accreditation but, I know that most require a
final rotation of 16 weeks, 40 hours per week. Often though, these
rotations are divided into 2 or 3 different settings. Now if you want to
compare this to a physicians clinical rotation it is much different. So,
that's why I'mnot sure why we are really wanting to call ourselves "doctors"
which conotates the same training as physicians.
Also, Douglas White mentioned that most US PT programs are DPT's. I don't
think that is the case although several are converting. Then that raises
the issue in the public's eye of what is the difference between a Doctor of
Physical Therapy and a Physical Therapist. Atleast when we converted from
BS to MS degrees for PT's we didn't have this problem.
Sincerely,
Patrick Zerr
www.apluspt.com
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