Characteristics of Geriatric Practice Settings That Attract and Retain Physical Therapists

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of geriatric practice settings that attract and retain physical therapists (PTs). The study was an electronic survey of active PT members of the Section on Geriatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) with a current email address. The electronic survey yielded 768 completed surveys, resulting in a response rate of 17%. Therapists were attracted to a geriatric practice setting for the patient population. A majority of therapists continue to work in a geriatric practice setting because of: pride in their work, relationships they have with their patients/caregivers, control over day-to-day work decisions, and salary. All survey responses were statistically significant p < 0.01. Even though PTs practicing in geriatric settings are the highest-paid therapists according to the APTA, salary is not what will recruit and retain therapists to geriatric practice settings.