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ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine seeks original articles by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, administrators, professional writers and members of related health professions.  All submissions are reviewed by a consultant panel. Suggested article topics may be submitted in writing, e-mail or by phone to the editor in advance of article submission. Once accepted, manuscripts become the property of ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine and cannot be reproduced elsewhere without permission from the editor.

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There has continued to be banter back and forth in regards to the DPT degree for our field and the most recent edition was no different with another letter to the editor and Bob Feldman again defending his position on the matter. This issue has taken over our profession the last several years and in the meantime, the results are starting to become glaringly obvious for those of us practicing, recruiting and performing administrative duties. The DPT is creating a recruiting nightmare as there are increasingly fewer candidates to fill open positions. Fewer students are choosing PT as a profession due to the staggering cost of the DPT, no significant increase in salary with that DPT and hearing horror stories of DPT students forced to drop out of PT school due to the financial burdens and difficulties in paying off the $100K plus student loans. As a result, DPT programs are accepting students that would not have or would have had difficulty gaining acceptance into PT school ten to twenty years ago just to fill the slots to meet financial goals. I've worked with BSPT's, MPT's and DPT's and I've yet to see any difference that would warrant the hire of a DPT over the others in 14 years of practice. Our profession and our professional organization needs to focus on issues that matter to those of us in the literal trenches. Reimbursement continues to decrease annually and access for participation in managed care plans is next to impossible in many states for the private practice PT. I have no doubt that our profession will continue to survive in today's and the future's health care structure but the DPT is creating more of a mess than it is worth for our profession and the APTA's master DPT plan needs to be addressed in simple terms without the hype that continues to be thrown back and forth that has little meaning to real world practice.

Scott Silvey,  PT, Group VP,  Nueterra HealthcareMarch 16, 2009
Gainesville, FL

To the Editor:

Re:Advance for PTs/PTAs, Feb. 9, 2009 Issue: Letter to the Editor

Regarding Angel Garcia's Letter to the Editor above, Dr. Garcia sounds overcome with her doctorate. I can't believe OTs & STs, prosthetists & orthotists will sit still and 'swallow' a prescription from a DPT ordering their services. PTs are not trained in those skills and lack sufficient knowledge to order these services. Reference to "all durable medical equipment" would include MRIs, radiographic units & a lot more {all outside the realm of a physical therapist}. A DPT ordering promiscuous xrays is also questionable.

I accept that a PT knows physical therapy best (PTs train PMR MDs!) but that's the present limit. I am not aware of laws requiring the title 'Doctor' be accompanied by the doctoral designation, although I believe the European assignation of "Mr" or "Mrs" (Proper Name), MD [DDS, DMD, DO, DPT, DSc, ND, NMD, DC, PhD, OD, etc.] would resolve such issues.

There might well be an extension of what DPT encompasses. However, I believe this was a doctoral initially provided as an interim degree, to be further clarifed. I also object to Dr. Garcia's statement of "distinguishing ourselves [sic: DPT] as a true "doctoring profession": A doctor is a doctor is a doctor, no matter the designation.

I've spent many years as a Physical Therapist, a Naturopathic Physician and a Doctor of Philosophy. Every doctoral degree is conferred as the limit of knowledge-at-that-moment and it is expected the individual accepting that doctorate will continue the educational process.

— Howard Sadowsky, ND, PhD, PT

Howard Sadowsky,  Pres,  Total Health, LtdFebruary 18, 2009
Las Cruces, NM

I would like to comment about all of the recent replys to LaCinda Oyen, PTA, letter to the editor in the Dec 29, 2008 Vol.19 No27. I have not been a PTA quite as long as some of you but I am sharing your frustration. Unless I start all over again there is nowhere to go up. Only two schools available in the US that will bridge PTA to PT. THere is so much talk about Vision 2020. What about the PTA? We are so quick to be left out, but honestly where would this profession be without us. I know so many PTA's that would jump at the chance to become a PT but honestly how is it fair that we would have to start our education all over when we are qualified enough to treat the patients in the first place. When is someone going to do something? I quess it is a good start by people starting to voice there concerns, but what will it take for our voice to matter?

Jamie ,  PTAJanuary 24, 2009
TX

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