Residency-Trained Physical Therapists
A relatively new trend in the field of physical therapy in the US is Residency. It models that of other doctorate-degreed professions in that it is training that occurs after the individual has graduated from physical therapy school and has attained a license to practice. Usually the residency-site is geared towards a specific field of specialty, orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, etc. The physical therapist applies for acceptance into the program and upon acceptance goes through a pre-determined, rigorous training program that includes written, demonstration, working with an expert trained clinician along with a few other tasks usually while working as a physical therapist in the clinic.
Yes! Quite demanding, however quite rewarding if the PT is looking to improve his/her skills! The residency can last anywhere from 6-24 months depending on how the program is structured. Upon graduating residency, the PT is then able to market him/herself differently than other therapists as the knowledge and skills acquired on the residency path lead to significant knowledge in that area as compared to his/her peers that are not residency trained.
Obviously, experience is also important and this writer is not inferring that a person with 10+ years experience is less of a therapist than one who is residency trained. However, I am saying that a residency-trained therapist comes to the table with knowledge and skills that some experienced therapists do not have.
Another form of training that a PT can do after graduating is Fellowship training. I will discuss that in my next blog!
