Quality Education and the DPT Degree

I believe that the APTA should take some accountability for this for they are the driving force moving the career to a doctoring profession. It seems that the norm in most career fields is more education equals a higher pay rate, and this is not true in physical therapy. I do not understand why it is optional for those who have been in the career and those who want to get into have no choice. I have the debt similar to a home loan and I am taking responsibility for it. However, I think our profession as a whole should not want to set up new therapists with increasing debt.

Excellent point that the DPT should have remained voluntary. The APTA is forcing people into a very expensive career path. Quite possibly this will be a significant detriment to attracting future PTs. The cost is staggering and graduates could remain in debt for many years considering the downward trend in reimbursement and the continued assault on accessibilty by insurance companies. Direct access may not be enough to offset this financial conundrum either. Financially, getting a DPT at this point might be like getting your captain's license while on the Titanic.

No the APTA should not be responsible for the student debt crisis. It is the personal responsibility of each person to research what they are to take on/able to take on. That is what required volunteer hours for PT school application can provide. If a student is uncertain about a career, then he/she shoud wait & explore more options. The APTA is responsible for pushing their 2020 vision which is short sighted in numerous ways! They do not speak for the majority of PTs and perhaps that's why the membership #'s are so low. As an experienced PT mentoring many volunteers & students over the years, now more than ever, I recommend to them that they research and volunteer in this field first. If the "spark"/"passion" is there, go for it but warn them that it will most likely be costly. I have given the same advice to my own children when they were exploring their own education/career choices. PT should definitely be at the masters level and if the DPT is desired, that should be voluntary....just saying. Good luck in all you do. Sounds like your passion for PT will serve you well in the long run.    BTW... nothing compares to a true anatomy lab vs. computer anatomy lab. The latter is just to save the instituition $.

As someone who had the benefit of a cadaver lab for gross anatomy, I must say I can't imagine learning without it for the reasons your describe. It gave me a three dimensional, tactile, and contextually appropriate knowledge base for everything I learned afterward.

I'm not an opponent of computer based learning. It would be an odd statement for someone who is getting a Masters online. However my new degree and future professional development requires no hands on applications in the way that PT does.

In our cadaver lab we got to see and touch and feel tumors, scarred lungs, fat (lots of it!) muscles both fit and atrophied, bones riddled with osteoporosis, and blood vessels constricted to nearly unviable. That can't be replicated with a computer. The seeing part can be replicated, but so much of our work is about what we feel and touch that cadaver lab is not a luxury, but a necessity. It also teaches us to respect the people that have given up their eternal rest for our betterment. It is our first laying on of hands upon people who are most forgiving of our mistakes.

Yes, there are a lot of different programs out there. New physios must choose based upon the value of the education they will receive. But who tells them? Thanks for this well thought out observation.