( Physiolight 4_Physiotherapy Divulger)
D P T
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a six years undergraduate degree programme in the field of physiotherapy (PT) or physical therapy (both terms are interchangeable). It is taught with an advanced curriculum for desirable adjustments in the contemporary clinical practice as regards rehabilitation medicine. DPT is now preferred as the basic undergraduate qualification for physiotherapists in the developed countries. As of 2015, all accredited and developing physical therapist programs in U.S.A are DPT programs. The DPT degree currently prepares students to be eligible for the PT license examination in all 50 States of US. A transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) degree is also offered for those who already hold a professional Bachelor or Master of Physiotherapy. After completing a DPT program, the holder may continue training in a Residency and then Fellowship.
On May 5th,
2014, four Nigerians were conferred with t-DPT by the University of
Michigan-Flint, U.S.A. UM-Flint’s
involvement began when Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) wanted to
upgrade their PT baccalaureate program to a 6-year DPT professional entry-level
program. “Our goal is to offer the DPT for
several years; at that point, there should be enough qualified physiotherapists
in Nigeria to take over the teaching,” said Professor Lucinda (Cindy) Pfalzer.
Earlier, in 2000 the American
Physical Therapy Association (APTA) passed its Vision 2020 statement, saying (in part):"By 2020, physical therapy
will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy,
recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the
practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis
of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations,
and disabilities related to movement, function, and health."
Consequently, the Medical
Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria (MRTB), a body
established by Nigerian Law to regulator the practice of physiotherapy in the
country has developed a t-DPT curriculum, stating that it is “for Physical
Therapists in Nigeria to be able to cope with the expanding role of Physical
Therapy in the continually changing healthcare [sic] sector and to meet up with
international standard. The aim was for Nigerian Physiotherapists to have: first
contact and right to referral, wider knowledge for comprehensive rehabilitation,
consultancy, evidence-based practice, greater involvement in multidisciplinary team,
autonomy, managerial and leadership skills. Now that the foundation for DPT has
been laid, many are asking, what is holding the programme from kicking of fully?
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