Attitudes toward Master's and Clinical Doctorate Degrees in Physical Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the attitudes of a self-selected sample of Canadian physical therapists toward the transition from bachelor's to master's degrees and the implementation of clinical doctorate degrees in physical therapy (PT). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a modified Dillman tailored approach. All eligible members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) were invited to participate. Results: Of 1,397 Canadian physical therapists who responded to the survey, 45% favoured the transition from bachelor's to master's degrees, 21% did not, and 34% were neutral; 27% favoured a transition from a master's to a doctoral degree for entry into practice in PT, 53% did not favour this transition, and 20% were neutral. Finally, 56% favoured the implementation of a post-professional clinical doctorate (PPCD) in PT, 23% did not, and 21% were neutral. Conclusions: Overall, a selfselected sample of Canadian physical therapists supported the future implementation of a post-professional clinical doctorate degree in PT but did not support an entry-to-practice doctoral degree. However, these results must be interpreted with caution because of the study's small sample size.Key Words: career choice; education; research; universities. RÉ SUMÉObjectif : Analyser les attitudes d'un é chantillon autochoisi de physiothé rapeutes au sujet du passage du baccalauré at à la maîtrise et de l'application de doctorats cliniques en physiothé rapie (PT). Mé thodes : On a procé dé à une é tude transversale basé e sur une straté gie Dillman personnalisé e modifié e. Tous les membres admissibles de l'Association canadienne de physiothé rapie (ACP) ont é té invité s à participer. Ré sultats : Sur 1 397 physiothé rapeutes qui ont ré pondu au questionnaire, 45% é taient pour la transition du baccalauré at à la maîtrise, 21% é taient contre et 34% é taient neutres; 27% é taient pour une transition de la maîtrise au doctorat au niveau dé butant en physiothé rapie, 53% é taient contre et 20% é taient neutres. Enfin 56% é taient pour la mise en oeuvre d'un doctorat clinique postprofessionnel (DCPP) en PT, 23% é taient contre et 21% é taient neutres. Conclusions : Dans l'ensemble, un é chantillon autosé lectionné de physiothé rapeutes a appuyé la mise en oeuvre future d'un doctorat clinique postprofessionnel en PT mais n'appuyait pas le doctorat au niveau dé butant. Il faut toutefois interpré ter ces ré sultats avec prudence à cause de la petite taille de l'é chantillon qui a servi à l'é tude.

Registered Dietitians: Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

“…This study collected data from a cross-sectional survey completed by 1397 Canadian physical therapists and the results indicated that the transition from the bachelor's degree to the master's would help integrate research into clinical practice, however it would not impact health care, or improve reasoning, and clinical skills of the therapists. The same study results showed significant differences in the transition to the clinical doctorate with the perception that the doctorate would improve application of research into clinical practice, acceptance of the profession and its impact on health care, thus enhancing the quality of health care (Mistry et al, 2014).…”

“…A study conducted in Canada examined the attitudes of physical therapists towards the master's and clinical doctorate degrees as the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) endorsed the requirement of master's degrees for all physical therapists by 2010 (Mistry et al, 2014). This study collected data from a cross-sectional survey completed by 1397 Canadian physical therapists and the results indicated that the transition from the bachelor's degree to the master's would help integrate research into clinical practice, however it would not impact health care, or improve reasoning, and clinical skills of the therapists.…”

“…Threkeld, Jensen, and Royeen (1999) examined the major considerations for the doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) and concluded that DPT was favored to meet societal needs, such as professional attitudes, competence, program influences, career enhancement, improved clinical skills and evidencebased practice for patient care and education. Mistry et al (2014) however reported that clinical reasoning skills did not improve when transitioning to the master's degree in physical therapy, but improvement was seen when transitioning to the clinical doctorate in physical therapy (DPT).…”

Motivators, Anticipated Challenges, and Supportive Factors for Athletic Trainers Pursuing the Doctor of Athletic Training Degree

“…At the postprofessional level, the goal of a clinical doctorate is to provide an already licensed and practicing clinician with further specialization or expertise. 6 The most prominent example of a postprofessional clinical doctorate is the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. The degree was developed in the late 1990s, and then DNP programs became more abundant after the American Association of Colleges of Nursing declared educational reform necessary in 2004.…”

Clinical Commentary on Mistry et al.

“…One example of ongoing concern is the cost of hiring physical therapists with higher degrees, which was also raised by respondents in Mistry and colleagues' survey. 1 Further assessment of hiring practices and salary ranges is needed to determine whether this is a real or only a perceived threat to physical therapists in the current health care environment.…”