Alyssa Leah V. Evangelista
BSPT 1 – C
1. What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is an integral part of patient care. Physical therapists provide services
designed to develop, maintain and restore the maximum movement and functional capacity of
individuals. They can assist people at any stage of life when aging, injury, disease, disorders,
conditions or environmental factors threaten movement and function. Physical therapists help
individuals maximize their quality of life by looking at physical, psychological, emotional and
social well-being. They work in the promotion, prevention, therapy / intervention, habilitation and
rehabilitation health spheres.
It is a profession concerned with the restoration of function and the prevention of disability
following disease, injury or loss of a body part. The goal of Physical Therapy is to help the patient
reach his maximum potential and to assume his due place in society while learning to live within
the limits of his capabilities.
Physical therapy is probably the newest and yet the oldest field of medical practice. It is
the newest because only in the relatively recent past has it come to be widely recognized and
accepted internationally as an integral part of standard medical practice. It is the oldest because
physical agents have been used in the treatment of disease for thousands of years. The primitive
man who crawled into the sunshine to receive the benefits of its warmth and vitalizing effects
started to practice heliotherapy; the first man who bathed a wound in some woodland stream
instituted the practice of hydrotherapy; and the first man who rubbed a contused or bruised muscle
introduced massage.
2. History of Physical Therapy
3000 B.C.
1600
Early 1800
1850
1894
1905
1913
Chinese used massage
Electrotherapy developed-Dr. William Gilbert first
recorded the word electric
Physical therapy accepted as a
medical scientific procedure
George and Charles Taylor
introduced massage to U.S.
First polio epidemic
Mary McMillian received
degree in physical education
and continues to take postgrad courses in electrotherapy,
therapeutic exercise, massage
and anatomy in London
Pennsylvania becomes first
state to license physical
therapists
1914
1917
1918
1921
192
1922
1923
1933
1936
1938
1940
1941
WWI Started and polio
epidemic
Margaret Sanderson and Mary
McMillan work together in the
reconstruction aid program at
Walter Reed Hospital
Mary
McMillan
was
appointed head reconstruction
aid at Walter Reed Hospital in
Washington, D.C.
The
American
Physical
Therapeutic Association was
formed
Mary McMillan was elected
first President of American
Women's
Physical
Therapeutic Association
Name of American Women's
Physical
Therapeutic
Association was changed to
American
Physiotherapy
Association (APA)
First man (men) admitted into
American
Physiotherapy
Association
APA asked for assistance
from the AMA to help set
standards and education
requirements
American
Medical
Association adopted the
Essentials of an Acceptable
School for Physical Therapy
Technicians-13 schools were
approved
American
Physiotherapy
Association
gets
first
permanent address when
offices are established in
Chicago
Catherine
Worthingham
becomes wartime president of
American
Physiotherapy
Association
WW II Starts
1944
1946
1954
1960
1967
1969
1971
1975
1978
1979
1980
1983
1988
WWII ends and American
Physiotherapy
Association
moves into first national office
in New York
American
Physiotherapy
Association changes its name
to the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA)
APTA develops 7 hour long
competency exam for state
licensing boards
APTA decides the bachelor's
degree is the minimum
standard
for
physical
therapists
Standards
for
physical
therapist assistant programs
were created
First set of PTA's graduated
Headquarters of the APTA
was relocated from New York
to Washington D.C. to
increase political involvement
Individuals with Disabilities
Act (IDEA) is passed
The APTA created a board of
specialties to provide a
mechanism
for
physical
therapists to become certified
and recognized as clinical
specialists in certain areas
Master's degree required by
December 31, 1990
Bylaws amended to limit size
of House of Delegates to 400
delegates
The
Commission
on
Accreditation in Education
(CAPTE) became the sole
agency
for
accrediting
education
programs
for
physical
therapists
and
physical therapists assistant
Direct access to physical
therapy services became legal
in 20 states
1990
1992
1996
1998
1999
2000
2002
2006
2013
Americans with Disabilities
Act signed into law
House
of
Delegates
membership revised upward
to 432
American Physical Therapy
Association celebrates 75th
anniversary of Association
and profession
A separate deliberative body
for
physical
therapist
assistants,
the
National
Assembly was approved
Ratio of women:men is 70:30
in the APTA
Vision 2020 created a rapid
transition to the doctor of
physical therapy (DPT)
Baccalaureate degree finally
phased out for PT's
First meeting of the Physical
Therapy Assistant Caucus
Indiana was the last state to
accept Direct Access
3000 B.C.
The Chinese employed rubbing as a therapeutic measure.
641 B.C.
Thales of Militis found that amber (in Greek, electron) acquired, by being rubbed, certain
properties such as the power of attracting to itself light objects.
460 B.C.
Hippocrates wrote concerning it.
1600 A.D.
The foundation of modern scientific electrotherapy was laid down by Dr. Gilbert Colchester of
England. On that date, he published his treatise, “De Magnete”.
1791
Galvani discovered the current which bears his name.
1812
Peter Henry Ling first placed it on a scientific basis. Metzger, Dr.Weir Mitchel and Dr. Douglas
Graham (who published the first American work on massage) all added to its scientific rationale.
1831
Faraday likewise was responsible for faradism.
1890
D’Arsonval evolved the high frequency current.
1895
The X-ray and a little later Tesla modified the D’Arsonval current. Dr. Kellog of the United States
first introduced the use of incandescent lights for radiant heat.
19th Century
There were three principal divisions of Physical treatments: electrotherapy, hydrobalneology, and
massage / exercise.
1931
Physical Therapy evolved into Physical Medicine in the medical field in England.
1946
Physical Therapy evolved into Physical Medicine in the medical field in United States.
1947
The House of Delegates of the American Physiotherapy Association voted to adopt physical
therapy as the official nomenclature.
Physical therapists formed their first professional association in 1921, called the American
Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. Led by President Mary McMillan, an executive
committee of elected officers governed the association, which included 274 charter members. In
1922, the association changed its name to the American Physiotherapy Association (APA) and
men were admitted. In the 1930s, APA introduced its first "Code of Ethics" and membership grew
to just under 1,000.
With the advent of World War II and a nationwide polio epidemic during the 1940s and 1950s,
physical therapists were in greater demand than ever before. The association's membership swelled
to 8,000 and the number of physical therapy education programs across the US increased from 16
to 39.
By the late 1940s, the association had changed its name to the American Physical Therapy
Association, hired a full-time staff, and opened its first office in New York City. A House of
Delegates representing chapter members was established to set APTA policies. The House elected
a Board of Directors, previously the Executive Committee, to manage the association. In addition,
sections were created to promote and develop specific objectives of the profession. The first two
sections were the School and Private Practice sections.
In the 1960s, APTA membership reached almost 15,000, and the number of education programs
nationwide grew to 52.
Archival Photos
History: McMillan Headshot
Mary McMillan, shown wearing her Reconstruction Aide uniform.
History: Reconstruction Aides in NY
Reconstruction Aides, who typically learned military drills prior to being transported to overseas
US Army hospitals, on July 4, 1918, in New York.
History: Aides Treating Solders in TX
Reconstruction Aides treat soldiers at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in 1919.
History: PT Using Aquatic Therapy on Child Patient
A physical therapist uses pool therapy to treat a child with poliomyelitis.
History: Two PTs Using Pool Therapy on Child
Director Janet Merrill (right) and her assistant, Eleanor Gillespie (left), use early pool therapy to
treat a youngster with polio at Boston Children's Hospital.
History: Aides With Two Patients in France
Reconstruction Aides and two recovering patients enjoy a bit of sunshine at Base Hospital #8 in
Savenay, France, shortly after Armistice.
History: PTs and Physicians Treating Children in New England
Physical therapists and physicians work together to treat children at a New England poliomyelitis
clinic in 1916.
Now headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA represents more than 95,000 members
throughout the United States. A national professional organization, APTA's goal is to foster
advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. Currently 213 institutions
offer physical therapy education programs and 309 institutions offer physical therapist assistant
education programs in the United States.
3. What were the educational requirements in the past vs now?
Physical therapists must have graduated from an accredited academic program in physical
therapy before being permitted to exercise. Typically, these programs culminate in a PhD and take
at least three years to finish. Students typically need to obtain a bachelor's degree, complete prerequisite scientific classes, obtain volunteer or observation experience in physical treatment,
submit graduate record scores (GRE) and retain an acceptable grade point average for admission
to a physical therapy program. Themes such as human anatomy, biomechanics, musculoskeletal
system, pathology, and neurological dysfunction management are typically studied by students in
physical therapy programs. They may also take part in clinical internships and take hands-on
clinical classes that provide patient care, screening, evaluation, therapy, and intervention training.
Physical Therapist (PT) Education Overview
Physical therapist (PT) professional education refers to the didactic and clinical education that
prepares graduates for entry into practice of physical therapy. Education for the advancement of
practicing physical therapists is termed post-professional.
Mission of Physical Therapist Professional Education
The mission of PT professional education is to graduate knowledgeable, service-oriented, selfassured, adaptable, reflective practitioners who, by virtue of critical and integrative thinking,
lifelong learning, and ethical values, render independent judgments concerning patient/client needs
that are supported by evidence; promote the health of the patient or client; and enhance the
professional, contextual, and collaborative foundations for practice. These practitioners contribute
to society and the profession through practice, teaching, administration, and the discovery and
application of new knowledge about physical therapy experiences of sufficient excellence and
breadth to allow the acquisition and application of essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors as
applied to the practice of physical therapy. Learning experiences are provided under the guidance
and supervision of competent faculty, in both the classroom and the clinic.
Physical Therapist Degree
Professional (entry-level) physical therapist education programs in the United States only offer the
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students who enroll. The Master of Physical
Therapy (MPT) and Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) degrees are no longer offered
to any new students in the United States. To practice as a physical therapist in the US, you must
earn a physical therapist degree from a CAPTE- accredited physical therapist education program
and pass a state licensure exam.
Curriculum
The length of professional DPT programs is typically 3 years. Primary content areas in the
curriculum may include, but are not limited to, biology/anatomy, cellular histology, physiology,
exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology,
behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology,
clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and
metabolic, and musculoskeletal. Eighty percent (80%) of the DPT curriculum comprises classroom
(didactic) and lab study and the remaining 20 percent (20%) is dedicated to clinical education. PT
students spend on average 27.5 weeks in their final clinical experience.
Bachelor's Degree Required? Most physical therapist education programs require applicants to
earn a bachelor's degree prior to admission into the professional DPT program. Other programs
offer a 3+3 curricular format in which 3 years of specific pre-professional (undergraduate/pre-PT)
courses must be taken before the student can advance into a 3-year professional DPT program.
Freshmen Entry - A few programs recruit all or a portion of students directly from high school into
a guaranteed admissions program. High school students accepted into these programs can
automatically advance into the professional phase of the PT program pending the completion of
specific undergraduate courses and any other stated contingencies (eg, minimum GPA).
Degree Requirements
Most master’s and doctoral physical therapy programs require students to first earn a bachelor’s
degree in physical therapy, or a very closely related healthcare field. However, some schools
offer a combined undergraduate/doctoral degree program that allows students to graduate with
both a bachelor’s and doctoral degree. Undergraduate students who volunteer at hospitals or
clinics gain valuable experience while observing licensed professionals. Volunteering is also
typically required for admission into doctoral programs.
All individuals must earn a doctoral degree in physical therapy (DPT) in order to practice as a
physical therapist. To illustrate how fast this field is growing, there were more than 200 physical
therapy programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
(CAPTE) in 2015 alone. DPT programs typically last at least three years.
Alongside seven months of supervised experience in a clinical setting, coursework at the doctoral
level usually includes lab and classroom instruction in medical diagnostics, patient examination,
patient evaluation, orthotics, prosthetics, and medical screening. Clinical experience is
unmatched in preparing therapists for careers in which they interact with clients every day, as
well as providing valuable time in the trenches that can lead to full time employment upon
graduation. Therapists who wish to specialize in a particular area can apply to and complete a
residency program, which usually lasts about one year and provides additional on-the-job
training.
Certification
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) offers eight designations for
physical therapists seeking advancement in the field. The eight specialties include:
Sports - both amateur and professional athletics
Orthopedics
Geriatrics
Neurology
Clinical electrophysiology
Cardiovascular & pulmonary
Pulmonary
Women’s health
Therapists applying for ABPTS certification must have at least 2,000 hours of practice, must be
licensed, and must pass a certification exam that measures the skills and knowledge in their
specialty.
Licensing
Physical therapists must be licensed in the state where they wish to practice. After completing an
accredited physical therapy program, individuals must pass the National Physical Therapy
Examination by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy to become licensed. The
examination assesses an applicant's knowledge in practice, physical therapy theory, and
consultation.
Residency
Many physical therapists complete their residency after graduating from a DPT program. The
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), programs include 1,500 hours of clinical
physical therapy practice to be completed within nine to 36 months. Residencies allow
individuals to diagnose and examine patients under the direct supervision of a licensed physical
therapist(s). Individuals will often also contribute to medical research and supervise other
healthcare professionals while in residency.
References:
https://www.apta.org/PTCareers/RoleofaPT/
https://www.apta.org/PTEducation/Overview/
https://careersinpsychology.org/physical-therapist-careers/