Fysioterapi i USA - Physical Therapy

På denne siden har vi samlet informasjon fra norske og amerikanske kilder om det å studere fysioterapi i USA.

Innhold

Informasjon fra ANSA og Lånekassen
Godjenning
Education
General Overview
Overview of Degrees
Doctoral Degrees
Master's Degrees
Description of Work
Links

Informasjon fra ANSA og Lånekassen

Kilde: http://www.ansa.no/ansa_templates/subject.asp?id=30308

Fysioterapiutdanning tilbys ved en rekke amerikanske læresteder, men kun som mastergradsstudium.

Grunnlaget for opptak til en mastergrad i fysioterapi vil normalt være en 4-årig realfaglig eller helsefaglig bachelorgrad. Kontakt aktuelle læresteder direkte for mer informasjon om spesifikke opptakskrav til mastergradsstudiet.

Det er bare utdanningsprogram som er godkjent/akkreditert av APTA - American Physical Therapy Association - som vil kunne danne grunnlag for offentlig godkjenning i Norge. Det er også kun de APTA godkjente masterprogrammene som er støtteberettiget i Lånekassen. Du kan få støtte til en hel utdanning i USA eller deler av den norske utdanningen (delstudier).

Du kan finne skoler her.

Godkjenning

For å praktisere som fysioterapeut i Norge med utenlandsk utdanning, må du ha autorisasjon fra Statens Autorisasjonskontor for Helsepersonell (SAFH).

Education

Sources:

General Overview

While physical therapists are only required to have a master's degree, most people entering the field today choose to earn a doctorate in physical therapy. For students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and have taken the appropriate prerequisites in chemistry, biology, and physics, a doctoral program can take as few as 2 1/2 years. All PT programs require a bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university.

Prerequisite coursework generally includes :

General Biology with lab
Organic Chemistry with lab
General Physics with lab
Human Anatomy with lab
Human Physiology with lab
Statistics and calculus
Psychology and social sciences

Admission to physical therapy programs is competitive; to get into your school of choice, focus on earning a high overall grade point average in college (above a 3.3 GPA) and volunteer or work as a physical therapy assistant. Some schools require up to 150-hours of clinical experience prior to admission. You'll also need letters of recommendation from physical therapists or science teachers. In addition, most schools require a satisfactory score on Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

How can I help my chances of getting into a program? If you're applying to a physical therapy program, it helps if you have a high overall grade point average (GPA) and a high GPA in courses such as biology, chemistry, and statistics. Admissions officers also look for volunteer experience as a physical therapy aide, involvement in school and community activities (e.g. sports, clubs, social organizations), a history of leadership, letters of recommendation from physical therapists or science teachers, and strong writing and interpersonal skills.

Curriculum

Curriculum varies from program to program, but in addition to the theory and practice of physical therapy, most programs cover:

Basic medical sciences
Biomechanics
Neuroanatomy
Pathology
Rehabilitative procedures
You'll also gain plenty of hands-on experience in a clinical internship.

Overview of Degrees

Professional (entry-level) physical therapist education programs are offered at two degree levels: doctoral and master's.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs: More and more students are choosing to graduate with this entry-level degree. The majority of DPT programs require students to enter with an undergraduate degree, though some will admit students after three years of undergraduate work, and a few admit students at the freshman level. Students are in the program between six and nine semesters. APTA's vision is that by the year 2020, the majority of practicing physical therapists will possess a DPT degree.
Direct Entry Doctorate (DPT): "Entry Level" or "Direct Entry" DPT programs prepare graduates with bachelor’s degrees in other fields for entry into the profession of physical therapy. Most programs can be completed in 3 years.
Transitional DPT: Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, also called "Post-Professional" doctorate programs were developed specifically for practicing physical therapists who want to "bridge the gap" between their certificate, bachelor's or master's degrees in physical therapy and earn their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Most students complete these programs in 2 years.

Master's Degrees

Bachelor's-to-Master's: Also called 4+2 or 4+1 programs, these joint bachelor's/master's programs allow students to earn both degrees on an accelerated schedule.
Master's degree (MPT, MSPT, MS) programs: On average, these programs require that students have at least three years of undergraduate work. However, some require students to enter with an undergraduate degree, and some admit students at the freshman level. Like the DPT programs, the students are in the program between six and nine semesters.
Direct Entry Master's (MPT): Direct entry MPT programs, also called “Graduate Entry” or “Master’s Entry” programs, are designed for students who hold bachelor's degrees in other fields. These programs give students credit for having completed their liberal arts requirements and combine preparation for licensure with advanced training in a master’s specialty area. Direct entry MPT programs typically take 2-to-3 years to complete, with the first year being devoted to entry-level coursework and the last year to clinical practice.

Description of Work

Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm

Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 205 accredited physical therapist programs in 2004. Of the accredited programs, 94 offered master’s degrees, and 111 offered doctoral degrees. All physical therapist programs seeking accreditation are required to offer degrees at the master’s degree level and above, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Physical therapist programs start with basic science courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics and then introduce specialized courses, including biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. Besides getting classroom and laboratory instruction, students receive supervised clinical experience. Among the courses that are useful when one applies to a physical therapist educational program are anatomy, biology, chemistry, social science, mathematics, and physics. Before granting admission, many professional education programs require experience as a volunteer in a physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic. For high school students, volunteering with the school athletic trainer is a good way to gain experience.

Physical therapists should have strong interpersonal skills in order to be able to educate patients about their physical therapy treatments. Physical therapists also should be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients. Similar traits are needed to interact with the patient’s family.

Physical therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops. In fact, a number of States require continuing education as a condition of maintaining licensure.