Survery Says...

PTs Among Most Satisfied Professionals, Survey SaysThe results are in, and physical therapists report one of the highest job-satisfaction levels in the country! So says a recent National Opinion Research Center survey, which was chronicled in an April 17 article of the Chicago Tribune. With more than three-quarters of physical therapists polled reporting to be "very satisfied" with their occupations, PTs were second only to clergy, and were the only health care professionals in the top 5. Click here to read more.
PARADE Magazine Recognizes Physical Therapists (Again) As Having Hot JobIn the April 15, 2007 issue of PARADE Magazine, physical therapists were found to have one of the six "Hottest Jobs For College Graduates." The magazine cited the aging baby boomer generation behind the increased demand for physical therapist services. This is the second year in a row PARADE has identified these healthcare professionals as having a "hot career." Physical therapists were also featured as one of six in "Hot Jobs in 2006 and Beyond" in the March 12, 2006 issue of the magazine. Click here to read more.
Patient Interaction Among the Positives of Being a PTAPTA member Matt Wanex, PT, was the subject of a May 16 career profile in the Business section of the Baltimore Sun. A sports injury was the inspiration for the one-time biology major to switch to physical therapy. As a staff physical therapist at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, his work ranges from pediatrics to oncology, and he helps patients recover from strokes, heart attacks and hip replacement surgeries. "I liked the interaction you had with patients, the time you spent with the patient versus the paperwork and getting someone through the recovery process," Wanex says in the profile.
Patient Interaction a Physical Therapy Hallmark"The best health care happens when patients, health care professionals and community groups work together," writes APTA student member Josh Olinick in a commentary for the Burlington Times-News in North Carolina. Olinick, of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Elon University, describes the thrill of putting away the school books and getting out in the community to educate the public. "We spend a lot of time studying and going to class," Olinick says, "but most of us chose physical therapy because we like working with people. Being able to share what we know with people in the community is something that benefits everyone." Click here to read more.
APTA Applauds Bill to Provide PTs Student Loan ReliefPhysical therapists who practice in areas where there are shortages of health care providers could become eligible for relief from student loan debt, thanks to legislation introduced in Congress in 2007. "This new bill would help alleviate some of that burden and encourage more physical therapists to practice in underserved communities that need them the most," said APTA president R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. Click here to read more.
Survey Says: PTs Have One of the "Best Careers"In 2006 the Wall Street Journal's CareerJournal.com participated in a survey of U.S. adults about which job qualities led to "highly satisfied career-focused people." According to the survey, physical therapists were determined to have one of the "eight best careers" based on the following categories: intellectual stimulation, strong job security, level of control and freedom, and extensive direct contact with customers/clients. Click here to read more.
"Becoming a physical therapist involves devoting a significant amount of time in education and clinical experience, including completing graduate and in many cases doctoral degree programs. Due to the extensive education and clinical training requirements, many students begin their careers with a significant amount of debt load," said American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "This new bill would help alleviate some of that burden and encourage more physical therapists to practice in underserved communities that need them the most."