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Patrick: The DPT is an entry level degree for most educational programs in the US. However there are a few that offer an advanced DPT. Hopefully those offering an advanced degree will convert to other credentials soon so as to avoid confusion. Most DPT programs have significantly re-tooled their curriculums to meet the profession's expectation of an autonomous doctor of PT. The degree is a clinical doctor and therefore does not have the same focus on "doing" research as an academic doctoral degree. Douglas M. White, PT, OCS To all: Unfortunately in the US the DPTdoesn't seem to make a difference. The degrees in the US be it , BS, MS, or DPT are still entry level. Some Masters programs are just as tough as DPT. Entry level programs are designed to produce clinicians who have a little experience in research. Their experience is to develop basic research projects and know how to use research in the clinic. Ideally to "prove" what we do through different research studies a much higher level of research is needed as is found in the PhD programs. Unfortunately, I feel the DPT is a perpetuation of the profession by educators. Competition is so great for students right now that it looks more appealing to go to a school that offers a DPT versus an MS, but the reality is they come out with the same entry level education. They can be called "doctors" and I know some who advertise themselves as this, but they are not doctors. I would be more in favor of the DPT if there was a significant difference between that of a Masters degree. I think the difference should be in more (longer) schooling and longer clinical rotations to produce more of an expert upon graduation rather than simply the level of entry level clinician we now see. Patrick Zerr PT www.apluspt.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Neumann Isaac Rutger, Granheim" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 4:25 AM Subject: SV: What do you think of "Doctor of Physiotherapy/ Physical Thera py" ? > Hi Salim, > > Interesting topic... You mix 2 items though: Master in Man Phys and Doctor > of Phys. I'll adress the last one. > > I think we, physiotherapists, are in desperate need of Doctors in > Physiotherapy. Why? To prove stuff! Many ways of treatment in PT are not > really proven to help. A lack of studies, bad studies of no studies at all. > This makes our profession look bad; people don't take us serious and many > times physiotherapist heavy big arguments amongst themselves because they > claim that this or that treatment is not proven to help (like Bowen > Technique for ex.: lack of research doesn't mean it DOESN'T help!) > We need people to prove treatment modalities with reliable research. > > Should everybody be a doctor or master in PT? No, I don't think so. In > Holland we have a 4 year bachelor PT degree. I get the impression that this > education is better than the 4 year master degree in PT that Belgium has > (sorry). And with that research is good, but you can't heal people with it. > PT is a practical, hands-on profession. Mostly we need people in "the > field". > If I had to choose between master degree, manual therapy, acupunture, > osteopathy, I definitly wouldn't choose for master degree. I would choose > one of the more practical courses. But that's just me. Other people like to > do research; not me! No patience...hehe. > > Summery: we need masters and doctors in PT to prove what we're doing. > Nothing more, nothing less. > > Isaac > > -----Opprinnelig melding----- > Fra: Salem Al-harthy [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Sendt: 6. august 2001 10:28 > Til: [log in to unmask] > Emne: What do you think of "Doctor of Physiotherapy/ Physical Therapy" ? > > > > Dear List, > > > I am a post-graduate physiotherapy student, doing Master in Manipulative > Physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne. I would appreciate your > comments, views and opinions on the new professional degree "DOCTOR OF > PHYSIOTHERAPY/ PHYSICAL THERAPY - DPT". > > * Is it strength or threat to our profession? > * What your view of on the professional title "DOCTOR" ? > * Will this new degree affect the "traditional physiotherapy /physical > therapy programs"? > > Thank you in advance for your participation. > > Salim Al-Harthy PT > > > _____ > > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > <http://go.msn.com/bql/hmtag_itl_EN.asp> >