An Analysis Of A Physical Therapist Reports Example

Introduction

The purposes of this career equity paper are to help understand the profession of physical therapy in terms of career description. What a prospective person requires having to undertake in order to enter the profession. Major areas of employments are identified, and the future prospects of this career are also outlined. Equity challenges are also some of the challenges that affect the profession such as inadequate income, gender roles and discrimination based on beliefs and attitudes. However from the article the profession is more promising due to the growing demand for the therapist's services.

Career Description

Physical therapist is a person who helps people who have been injured or people who have been ill to improve their body movement, as well as manage, and reduce their pain. These therapists are important kind of people who forms part of rehabilitation and treatment of people who have suffered chronic conditions or injuries. Their main purpose is to remediate the impairments and improves their mobility, their proper functioning and improves their quality of life of those injured through physical examination, in-depth diagnosis, and physical intervention.
In addition, physical therapist performs other activities that are not related to clinical practice. Such activities may include research on methods of improving the physical state of an individual who needs their service, consultation, education, and administration. The services of the physical therapist may be provided along with other rehabilitation service or medical services.
Some of the fields where the services of Physical therapist or the areas where these therapists can specialize includes the neurology, sports, geriatrics, pediatrics, wound care, cardiopulmonary and orthopedics (Wagner 2014). One of the fields that are rapidly emerging in the therapist field is the Neurological rehabilitation. Physical therapists professionals may also offer their services in the non-patient care responsibilities such as the public health policy, health care administration and health insurance.
Educational criteria for one to become a physical therapy provider are not constant but will vary from one area to another and even from country to country. The educational criteria will also depend on the on the various levels of professional responsibility. In the United States, there is Physical Therapy Practice Act that recognizes the responsibilities of both the physical therapist assistants and physical therapists. Some countries and states recognize physical therapy technicians as part of therapy profession. In most countries, there are professional bodies that provide licenses to members that wish to become a physical therapist. Once granted with the practicing licenses members can start practicing as independent professionals.
In United States, education curricula of Physical Therapist will make one to be awarded a degree Doctor of Physical Therapist. However many of the current people who are practicing as a physical therapist holds a Master degree in Physical therapist although a good number hold a bachelor's degree.
The recommendations of the WCPT, The body that regulates this profession is that the entry-level educational curriculum should be in the university level studies with a study period of four years. Any learning institution that offers such a course should be validated and accredited independently using the standard that will make the learners fully recognized.
In keeping with Wagner (2010), the future focus and Employment advantage of physical therapists in various jurisdictions is anticipated to improve and expand significantly for a span of ten years. The projected grow could be approximately 38 percent from 2015 to 2015, this is much faster compared to other professions. Arguably, the increase in the number of the aged corresponds with the increase in demand for the services of the aging baby boomers makes the demand for the physical therapy services (Wagner 2010). In addition, the number of reported cases of the chronic conditions has increased. These conditions vary from obesity to diabetes and they are caused by the change in lifestyle. People with such conditions will require physical therapists to assist in mobility among other related complications. More so, in the job market for the physical therapists the annual median wage for the year 2012 approximated $79,860. When calculated on an hourly basis the income generation for physical therapists ranged around $39.39. In this regard, physical therapist profession has been an occupation with continued expansion and growth and the need for their services in the society continue to increase.
According to labor (2014) statistics are presenting arising drift in the levels of employment across this vibrant medical career path. Additionally, Physical Therapist Assistants is another occupation related to the physical therapist, and that has been projected to experience remarkable growth as we move towards the future. Notably, some of the benefits are countless which those who are practicing and the prospective therapists stand to gain. One of the benefits is Consistently Expanding the therapy Skills. When many individuals are never satisfied with their occupations due to stagnation, a physical therapist assistant will constantly continue to acquire and learn new skills to keep up with new and emerging developments. Job Security is another benefit that is not easily found in many professions. While some business and other occupations are experiencing dwindling demand, physical therapists are experiencing an opposite trend.
Some of the challenges that physical therapists face are unique. One of the major challenges is education .the process of becoming a physical therapist demands a large sum of money to finance the education. Any prospective student must plan on the years of study that are required to obtain the degrees. Another challenge is Physically Demands. Physical therapist is a profession that is physically demanding and, therefore, require one to be physically fit for anyone to enjoy the work. Any therapist spends most of the time standing on their feet and in most cases supporting the weight of their patients (Wagner, 2010).
Gender has been pointed to be among factors that influence the most of the professions. Physical therapy is one of the Female dominated professions, and they are very attractive to men due to various reasons. The beliefs and the knowledge held by other healthcare practitioners generate the gender stereotypes. These attitudes and beliefs concerning the roles and responsibilities of therapists have been proven as one of the factors that influence the initial careers choices of physical therapy, as well as a determinant of the future career plans (CK1, MJ, MS, & BL, 2014).
There is also socioeconomic status that affects the physical therapists professionals. These factors are a combination of education, occupation and income. They determine the socioeconomic status that is commonly conceptualized as the social class or standing of any group or individual. When this status is viewed through a social stand lens the powers, privilege and control are emphasized. Physical therapists have scored highly in terms of education, occupation and incomes. Therapists continue to shine in terms of educations as they are among the highly educated professionals.
In conclusion, the profession has naturally evolved as one that accepts diversity of people in terms of race and ethnic. No person from any particular race, gender, ethnic group, religion, faith or spirit is discriminated. Although it may be considered by many as female dominated, it has scored highly as embracing all genders.

References

CK1, R., MJ, R., MS, G., & BL, H. (2014). Gender and physical therapy career success factors. NCBI, 15-19.
Labor, U. D. (2014). Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labour Statistics , 14.
Wagner, N. (2010). Benefits of a Physical Therapist Career. The Journal of American Physical Therapy Association, 12-19.