Moderator ventana Posted March 16, 2018 Moderator Share Posted March 16, 2018 So when the PT (whom is a regular out patient PT) runs add like this...... well it shows that the Dr debate is over.... time to jump on the bandwagon.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgriffiths Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I unfortunately agree...I hate degree creep and hate that we have to make it sound like we are on a level playing field as an MD/DO (not that we are bad or worse in some way, but you can't argue the difference in education/experience), but it's join the crowd or get left behind - and that's already happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatswain2PA Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 We don't need a doctorate. The median annual Physical Therapist salary in Pittsfield, MA is $84,369, as of March 01, 2018, with a range usually between $77,717-$91,550 not including bonus and benefit information and other factors that impact base pay (https://www1.salary.com/MA/Pittsfield/Physical-Therapist-salary.html) The median annual Physician Assistant - Medical salary in Pittsfield, MA is $103,795, as of March 01, 2018, with a range usually between $95,542-$114,432 not including bonus and benefit information and other factors that impact base pay. (https://www1.salary.com/MA/Pittsfield/Physician-Assistant-Medical-salary.html) We make $18-$23,000 more than PTs without paying for the Doctorate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMD16 Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 We do need a doctorate. However, it should be optional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkth487 Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I don't think the DPT degree in particular has resulted in significant increase in practice rights as far as I know. One of my friends is a PT and considering the school debt they have vs earnings they can command, the DPT degree is probably the worst deal in healthcare. Which sucks because it's such an important field. I would just be careful about extra years of debt without an increase in responsibilities or pay. What about something like if you complete a formal residency that is at least 12 months, which would include a certain amount of didactics (amount and type of clinical and didactic experience would be regulated in some fashion by the PA board to ensure quality and consistency) you would get some sort of a clinical doctorate (Doctor of Medical Science or Doctor of Clincial Practice etc)? That way you're getting 1) paid 2) not increasing your debt 3) learning something USEFUL instead of fluff classes 4) each person can specialize in the field they want and 5) the degree remains optional yet there is a clear and structured path for those that wish to pursue it. I'm not a PA so that's just me looking in from the outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted March 17, 2018 Moderator Share Posted March 17, 2018 1 hour ago, lkth487 said: What about something like if you complete a formal residency that is at least 12 months, which would include a certain amount of didactics (amount and type of clinical and didactic experience would be regulated in some fashion by the PA board to ensure quality and consistency) you would get some sort of a clinical doctorate (Doctor of Medical Science or Doctor of Clincial Practice etc)? That way you're getting 1) paid 2) not increasing your debt 3) learning something USEFUL instead of fluff classes and 4) each person can specialize in the field they want 5) the degree remains optional yet there is a clear and structured path for those that wish to pursue it. I'm hoping to spearhead this after finishing my residency and completing my DMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miaow Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Well, I'm starting the Lynchburg program in April so if anyone wants to know what's it like I'll gladly keep you updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktheshark89 Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 6 minutes ago, Miaow said: Well, I'm starting the Lynchburg program in April so if anyone wants to know what's it like I'll gladly keep you updated. Yes please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatswain2PA Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 15 hours ago, mcclane said: Maybe it's just me, but looking at a distinctly different profession and saying, "At least I'm not that guy" just isn't very compelling. Agreed...just as compelling as looking at that distinctly different profession and saying "look at how great they have it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted March 17, 2018 Administrator Share Posted March 17, 2018 4 hours ago, lkth487 said: One of my friends is a PT and considering the school debt they have vs earnings they can command, the DPT degree is probably the worst deal in healthcare. DVM, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkth487 Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 People healthcare :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2234leej Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 9 hours ago, Boatswain2PA said: We don't need a doctorate. The median annual Physical Therapist salary in Pittsfield, MA is $84,369, as of March 01, 2018, with a range usually between $77,717-$91,550 not including bonus and benefit information and other factors that impact base pay (https://www1.salary.com/MA/Pittsfield/Physical-Therapist-salary.html) The median annual Physician Assistant - Medical salary in Pittsfield, MA is $103,795, as of March 01, 2018, with a range usually between $95,542-$114,432 not including bonus and benefit information and other factors that impact base pay. (https://www1.salary.com/MA/Pittsfield/Physician-Assistant-Medical-salary.html) We make $18-$23,000 more than PTs without paying for the Doctorate. Totally agree with you: and this is coming from a physical therapist. PA degree is a great bang for your buck, definitely more so than PT. PT is a phenomenal field with extremely high job satisfaction ratings, but the debt is high relative to the salary. There is good money in it, but I am not interested in home health and some of these skilled nursing facilities. For the record, I would say 95%+ of PTs do not call themselves doctors to patients. We call ourselves by our first name, and if they continue to call us doctor, then we let it be. If it's an academic setting some students will call the PTs doctor, but that's very different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 17, 2018 Author Moderator Share Posted March 17, 2018 The fact that always gets missed is the big picture - laws, regulations and guidelines Heck we lost out on the HITECH funds simply due to our name "assistants must be under the doc" We are slowly loosing ground to NP's We always have the uphill battle to get non-medical folks to understand our roll Simply changing our name and be doctorate level and then let AAPA steamroll legislative changes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted March 17, 2018 Moderator Share Posted March 17, 2018 agree with above. the big picture is important. if you knew nothing else as a patient or HR staff, who would you feel more confident in: a practitioner with a doctorate (DNP) an assistant with a masters (PA) the only group of patients who really consistently understand what PAs do are military/ex-military folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted March 17, 2018 Moderator Share Posted March 17, 2018 5 hours ago, EMEDPA said: agree with above. the big picture is important. if you knew nothing else as a patient or HR staff, who would you feel more confident in: a practitioner with a doctorate (DNP) an assistant with a masters (PA) the only group of patients who really consistently understand what PAs do are military/ex-military folks. And even they don’t get it a lot of the time because we are so independent in the military they have no idea your a PA or don’t care to remember. You’re just doc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgriffiths Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 15 hours ago, LT_Oneal_PAC said: And even they don’t get it a lot of the time because we are so independent in the military they have no idea your a PA or don’t care to remember. You’re just doc. Yep, grew up seeing PA's and never even knew. Father is a retired military MD now in private practice and was pretty funny as I was starting the process of working towards PA school and learned I had been seen by dozens of PAs growing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AssistantDoctor Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 On 3/16/2018 at 8:53 PM, Miaow said: Well, I'm starting the Lynchburg program in April so if anyone wants to know what's it like I'll gladly keep you updated. Yes, please! I'm hoping to start at Lynchburg in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted March 22, 2018 Moderator Share Posted March 22, 2018 On 3/16/2018 at 7:53 PM, Miaow said: Well, I'm starting the Lynchburg program in April so if anyone wants to know what's it like I'll gladly keep you updated. I only see only one start date. Do they allow for starting at alternate times? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miaow Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 12 hours ago, LT_Oneal_PAC said: I only see only one start date. Do they allow for starting at alternate times? I believe so, I am in the Spring 2018 cohort. There should be another one available this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delco714 Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 So when the PT (whom is a regular out patient PT) runs add like this...... well it shows that the Dr debate is over.... time to jump on the bandwagon.... Does he Need PT,DPT after his name ? Wtf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 23, 2018 Author Moderator Share Posted March 23, 2018 1 hour ago, delco714 said: On 3/16/2018 at 4:29 PM, ventana said: So when the PT (whom is a regular out patient PT) runs add like this...... well it shows that the Dr debate is over.... time to jump on the bandwagon.... Does he Need PT,DPT after his name ? Wtf Actually can be 2 separate degrees the old PT whom goes back to get the DPT..... but yeah sort of duplicate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delco714 Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Actually can be 2 separate degrees the old PT whom goes back to get the DPT..... but yeah sort of duplicate... That's like: Rob Schneider RN, BSN, MSN...grrr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKPAC Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Am I the only one who thinks it's not appropriate for PTs to hold themselves out as "doctors" and "specialists." Seems like trying to imply something more. l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator ventana Posted March 23, 2018 Author Moderator Share Posted March 23, 2018 4 hours ago, LKPAC said: Am I the only one who thinks it's not appropriate for PTs to hold themselves out as "doctors" and "specialists." Seems like trying to imply something more. l But the horse has left the barn. We are late to the party and being left behind. I do do believe there should be a reserved term for physicians. Maybe physicians!! but doctor is not a Physician exclusive term. It is a degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted March 23, 2018 Moderator Share Posted March 23, 2018 On 3/22/2018 at 5:53 AM, LT_Oneal_PAC said: I only see only one start date. Do they allow for starting at alternate times? I believe you can start any term, every 12 weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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