Physical therapy as a profession has been transitioning its education from a Master’s program to a Doctoral program over the last 10 years. American Physical therapy Association’s Vision 20/20 hopes that by the year 2020 all physical therapists will have their Doctoral degree. APTA’s vision 20/20 statement is as follows:
By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental barriers related to movement, function, and health. (https://www.apta.org/vision2020/)
Physical therapy programs have increased their education with areas that include differential diagnosis, pharmacology, and health-care management, among other topics, to help progress the profession to be more autonomous and be the direct line to consumers with movement disorders and pain symptoms. Physical therapy education programs and the profession have also put more of emphasis on research and evidence based practice to support our techniques and treatment plans. Here at North County Water and Sports Therapy Center, we try to stay ahead of the curve; all of our Physical Therapists are Doctors of Physical Therapy and have graduated from accredited Doctoral programs. We are Doctors of movement science and strive to educate and treat each patient with an individualized program to return them to prior level of function after injury, loss of function or a painful episode. Contact our office to see what our Doctors can do for you!!
