Back pain? Bum knee? Be prepared to wait for a physical therapist

The ABC News article addresses the critical shortage of physical therapists in the United States, a situation exacerbated by the high cost of education and relatively low starting salaries in the field. Students like Matthew Lee, who are pursuing degrees in physical therapy, face substantial student debt, often up to $200,000, while starting salaries hover around $80,000. This financial imbalance contributes to the national shortage of physical therapists, especially pronounced in rural areas and regions with high living costs, such as California.

The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified the shortage, with many physical therapists leaving the profession as practices closed. Additionally, the aging baby boomer population and the backlog of pandemic-delayed procedures like knee and hip replacements have increased the demand for physical therapy services. However, the field faces financial challenges, including consecutive years of Medicare reimbursement rate cuts and the growing influence of private equity firms, which often leads to understaffing in practices.

Universities and educational institutions are responding by expanding their physical therapy training programs, some even offering virtual classes to increase graduate numbers. However, the expansion is limited by rigorous accreditation processes and the need for adequate resources. Despite these efforts, the high cost of obtaining a physical therapy doctorate and the modest salaries in the field continue to deter potential therapists, leading to long wait times for patients and a persistent shortage of professionals in the industry.