Doctorate in Physical Therapy: Is It Time for a Conversation?

The practice of physical therapy is quickly advancing and moving into new realms. This is an exciting period of growth and development in our profession, and the changes in health care delivery, social demographics, and globalization of health care are perfect opportunities for physical therapists to take on new and emerging roles in our health care system and to provide leadership in the field. As the profession forges ahead, a question arises: Is it time to discuss the idea of a “clinical doctorate” as the requirement for entry level to practice? A clinical doctorate (or “practice doctorate”) programme is an entry-level degree that prepares students with the competencies required to enter clinical practice and become eligible for licensure.1 In physical therapy, this is often called the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree; it differs from a PhD, where the focus is on research and the production of original scholarly work, and from a “post-professional doctorate” or “advanced practice doctorate,” which offers study in advanced or specialized clinical competencies to professionals who have graduated with another entry-level qualification, such as a bachelor's or master's degree. The title “doctor” is used across many health care professions in Canada. Physicians and surgeons, chiropractors, dentists and dental surgeons, podiatrists, optometrists, naturopaths, and veterinarians all require a doctoral degree for entry to practice. Common themes that have been identified across these professions include autonomy in practice, knowledge of research, a specific number of credit hours required for the programme, and a specific number of clinical hours required. Some professional programmes also require that the student complete a residency prior to full licensure.1