Why The Physical Therapy Career is Flawed

Why the field of physical therapy is flawed. Usually it's because of PT or PTA burnout or dealing with insurance companies. Should you go into the field of physical therapy? I think it's still a great career choice if you are looking to become a PTA/PT.

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#PTA #PT

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[rocknjock]

As a PT, I can confirm the reason of frustration. I have stopped twice. I last 3 years, took 1 year off, returned and stopped again after about 6 months of working.
The first time was the burnout in combination with I'm not allow to do what I've put so much work into learning how to do. As you said, insurance companies make the decision, and they do because they are paying for it. I have had full grown men cry in front of me when I had to tell them their insurance is no longer paying. I've had patients, the insurance company would call and what me to discharge before they were even cleared to walk yet. I've had worker's comp call wanting me to clear a police officer to work before he was cleared to run and still had pain. I've had insurance companies who just flat out didn't want to pay.

The level of control the insurance companies want is unimaginable. It is a constant fight. Treating the patients is amazing. You will get to meet some incredible people, make friends, and make excellent connections across many industries in the patients you meet, but the insurance companies will drain you. We don't get to choose what months we want to pay our insurance but they get to choose what they want to pay for and how much of it they want to pay for.

[alexathegr]

Fellow PTA here. Outpatient will burn you out depending on who your working for. CORA for example is one of them. I work in home health and I love it. It’s flexible, I make my own schedule and the pay is great. And I get to choose how many patients im seeing a day. As soon as I graduated I got a job in home health. Don’t feel discouraged. It really depends where you are working. In my opinion it’s a great field.

[someguyusa]

This isn't an issue with the field of physical therapy. This is a problem with insurance companies and the rampant lobbying to give them this level of power over healthcare.

[selegonzalez]

Im a PTA and working at an outpatient really made me question why I chose this.

[PatrickdaStarr]

I got this notification and my heart dropped lol. I’m currently in PTA school now and I’ve been following your channel from the beginning. Glad you were able to make the transition. Hopefully the job is good to me.

[vh]

If someone is not passionate about their career then they were never meant to do it for long term.

[kvietimas]

Great points! As a PTA myself, I learned over the years that it is very important to find the right setting for yourself. Highly intense and overwhelmingly busy outpatient clinic drove me absolutely insane and I had zero satisfaction from my work. Now, I am happy at a slower pace facility where I can spend quality time for treatments and interaction with patients that, if you ask me, it is vital in this profession.

[iamkevinhollis]

After working as a personal trainer for 5 years, i made the decision to transition careers and pursue becoming a PTA. I start a 2 year PTA program next month. I've done my research and found a lot of content with DPTs and PTAs saying the same thing especially in regards to insurance and the struggles of dealing with that. But I do see more and more professionals in the physical therapy space switching to Cash Only based business.. as a trainer i was use to working 14 hour days and meeting with 10+ clients a day, so I'm not worried about burn out or the work load. But I am wondering how working with insurance involved will be and how that can effect my compensation in the future. Especially since I heard some insurance are trying to make changes that can drastically lower PTA pay. anyways, great video and wish me luck!

[Kopniske]

Sorry you had this experience. As a PTA I’m absolutely in love with my job. I work in outpatient for the Cleveland Clinic. It has opened more doors and experiences than I could imagine. And I’ve managed to create a balance between treatments, documentation and self growth.

[annagerman]

I’m glad this came up in my suggested, I just failed my last practical of my second semester of PTA school. Trying to see it as a blessing in disguise, been working in health care since I was 16 and I’m looking forward to trying out jobs outside the field.

[JoseAlvarado-zdeh]

Spot on. I’m so glad I’ve worked as an aide for two years to be able to see all sides of the business. Planning to apply next year but hopefully I will be able to provide care like I want to. It’s crazy to me how much insurance dictates care, I think it’s very dumb how only one body part can be seen at a time!

[nikoathanasatos]

After 5 years I quit being a PT to work in tech. I've never been happier. I'll never go back.

[SquatsAndThoughts]

Wow!! Shocked to hear you left the field. You seemed so bright eyed and bushy tailed before haha. I asked you a question about how to get into PTA school 3 years ago, and now I have my board exam coming up in a month. Was looking forward to telling you the journey and how I enjoyed your videos. Hope the best for you in your next occupation.

[Mindverve]

I have “retired” from OT after 30 years for the exact reasons you mention. I love my profession and patient care but the system will wear you out. Our professional national organizations need to do more to advocate for change on behalf for our expensive dues.

[WoodyJ]

What career isn’t flawed? Every job seems to suck.

[MrJbee]

The career sucks. Skip rehab as a career as it really is going down the drain. Do not do it. It's not like schools make it seem it will be. It's awful. Ex working COTA here

[nette]

I am soooo happy you are still posting!! I found your channel years ago when I was first thinking of becoming a PTA but COVID set me back and I just now found myself back! Since now I am in health but in a desk position 😭 and I’m ready to get active again at least in some way, even if it isn’t physical therapy! Happy for you!

[sweetandsimple.]

Also an issue as a PTA is we can't do anything without a PT. Can't do cash based without a cash based PT.

[username]

I graduated PTA school in 2020 and left almost a year ago. I didn’t last long. It’s definitely not for everyone. I agree with your points. And The Medicare cuts was a huge deal to me too. watching your video helped me make the big step to peruse something I actually loved instead of continuing to try to make it work. Question tho, did you let your license expire?

[iheartchiropractic]

Excellent video! Thank you so much for sharing all your ideas with us. Very interesting perspective and helpful to hear.