Countless times, many people have asked Are Physical Therapists Doctors? However, they mistook a physical therapist for a medical doctor, and it shouldn’t be so. Hence, this article aims to help you see their differences, knowing if you need either a doctor or a therapist.
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Function of a Physical Therapists
The primary role of physical therapists is to create programs that address their patient’s physical fitness. And most times, these programs involve exercises that will increase the patient’s physical strength and balance.
They perform these programs with the help of mechanical devices. And they include; education, traction, orthoses, electrophysical modalities (heat, cold, radiation, sound waves, electricity), assistive devices, prostheses, and other interventions.
Do Physical Therapists Requires a Doctorate degree?
Also, most Physical Therapists haven’t gotten a Doctorate degree. Some Physical therapists only have a Bachelor’s degree, while some have a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy.
In fact, there are lots of aged Physical Therapists with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees currently working in clinics all over the country. However, a Physical Therapist is not a doctor because not all Physical Therapists that are working have a Doctorate degree.
If you desire the Doctor title in Physical Therapy, you must complete a doctoral program approved by the body CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education).
The goal of a Medical Doctor is to restore their patient’s health to an optimum working condition. They are able to perform their roles by running diagnostic tests, creating treatment plans, prescribing medication, and providing medical advice to their patients.
In as much as Physical therapists aren’t Doctors, some of their practice is quite similar practices. Well, the fact that most people usually get to call Physical Therapists Doctors is expected because both of them are health practitioners.
Physical therapists motivate their patients and also develop physical and mental exercises for them. These exercises and motivations help in restoring their patient’s physical and mental health.
However, Medical Doctors diagnose the patient’s health issues and provide them with chemical treatment such as drugs, injections, etc. Besides, some situations warrant that Medical Doctors refer patients to physical therapists.
Conclusion Are Physical Therapists Doctors?:
Well, we can conclude by saying Physical Therapists and Medical Doctors are both important, and the roles they perform can’t be overemphasized.
Could you imagine a sporting activity without Physical Therapists to attend to athletes and sportspeople?
Then ponder on what the world would be like if there weren’t any medical doctors.