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Title: The Physical Therapist Workforce in the U.S.: Supply, Distribution, Education Pathways, and State Responses to the COVID-19 Emergency
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2020
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Abstract: The traditional role of physical therapists is to prescribe exercises and provide hands-on care to help patients develop, maintain, and restore functional ability that may be limited by injuries, aging, and chronic or progressive diseases. 1-3 For example, physical therapists prescribe range-of-motion and muscle-strengthening exercises after orthopedic surgery, assist patients in regaining coordination and balance after a stroke or brain injury through exercises aimed at relearning specific tasks, and develop treatment plans for athletes after sports-related injuries and surgeries. Physical therapists may also provide preventive care, rehabilitation, education, and treatment for those with chronic conditions including scoliosis, arthritis, obesity, amputations, and cerebral palsy. 1,2 Physical therapists practice in a broad range of settings. Figure 1 shows the distribution of practice locations for physical therapists according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 33% work in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and audiology clinics, 26% in hospital settings, 11% in home health care services, 7% in nursing and residential care facilities, and 5% are self-employed. 1 The remaining 18% work in academic, educational and research centers; health insurance, health policy and health care administration; sports training facilities; on professional sports teams; and in school settings. 1-3
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Authors: Oster, Natalia V; Skillman, Susan M; Stubbs, Benjamin A; Dahal, Arati; Guenther, Grace; Frogner, Bianca K
Publisher: University of Washington
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Health, Labor Force and Occupational Structure
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