Physical Therapists Have Top Occupation - Increased Demand And High Job Satisfaction Place PTs Among Nation's Top Occupations

Main Category: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopedics;  Public Health;  Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 21 Apr 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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Physical therapists have come out ahead as a top career choice for US college graduates and as second only to clergy in job satisfaction in two different news articles this week that highlighted the nation's top occupations.

The April 17 issue of the Chicago Tribune reported findings of a poll from the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago that place physical therapists second among five top occupations in job satisfaction, and the only health care professionals listed. The worker satisfaction study was based on data collected since 1988 on more than 27,500 randomly selected people. More than three-quarters of the participating physical therapists reported being "very satisfied," and the study suggests intrinsic rewards seem to be the key to satisfaction.

The April 15 issue of PARADE Magazine listed the physical therapist career as one of the six "Hottest Jobs for College Graduates." The magazine attributed the increased demand for physical therapists to the aging baby boomer generation. This is the second year in a row PARADE has identified physical therapists as having a "hot career."

"These findings simply reflect what we have always known," said American Physical Therapy Association President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "Physical therapists are highly motivated and fulfilled health care professionals. Their satisfaction stems from improving quality of life for patients. It's gratifying to see the profession receive the recognition it deserves, and it is hoped we will continue to recruit the brightest and the best into the profession."

Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

For more information about a career as a physical therapist, to find a physical therapist, and for more physical therapy news and information, consumers can visit www.apta.org/consumer.

The American Physical Therapy Association is a national organization representing nearly 70,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research.

www.apta.org

(North American English - Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy. UK/Australasian/Irish English - Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy)

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