Physician Assistant Vs Physical Therapist: Differences, Similarities, Best Career Advice In 2024

Choosing a career in the healthcare field is always quite difficult especially when all the careers have to do with helping and saving lives. This brings about comparison in the different healthcare fields. For example, Physician Assistant vs Physical Therapist. Therefore, it will be best to show the differences between Physician assistants vs Physical therapists. So, in the end, you will get to make the right choice of career path to follow.

There’s not much of a difference between a Physician Assistant Vs Physical Therapist. One is actually not more preferred to the other. So, there is nothing to worry about.

However, These two careers are also involved in a range of other medical procedures. For this reason, we will be showing the difference between Physician Assistant Vs Physical Therapist, it’s differences, similarities, and other things you need to know about PA vs PT.

Before we continue, let’s go through the table of content below to get an overview of what the article entails.

Physician Assistant Vs Physical Therapist(PA vs PT )

What is Physician Assistant(PA)?

Physician assistants are integral members of the health care team in many hospitals and clinical practices.

Also,  a physician assistant (PA) is a mid-level medical practitioner who works under the supervision of a licensed doctor (an MD) or osteopathic physician (a DO).

Usually, a PA does not need to perform his duties only when the supervising physician is around provided he has been well trained and knows how to discharge his duties appropriately.

What Is a Physical Therapist (PT)?

Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.

Also, Physical therapy (PT) is known as physiotherapy is a paramedical profession that uses force and mechanical movement (biomechanics or kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy to solve deficiencies and enhance mobility and function.

Physical therapy tries to improve the impairment itself by increasing mobility, aligning bones and joints, or lessening pain.

What Are The Difference Between Physician Assistant And Physical therapists (PA and PT )?

The major difference between Physician Assistant And Physical Therapist is that both provide opportunities for patient care, but a PA will never be a truly autonomous practitioner, while a PT can if he/she so chooses. PA is very limited in terms of employment arenas as compared with PT.

• Job/Duties
• Education
• Licensing / Certification
• Work Place
• Job Outlook
• Pay

#1 Physician Assistant vs Physical Therapist – Job/Duties

Physician assistants (PAs) examine patients, prescribe medicine, and order diagnostic tests. In most cases, they work under the supervision of physicians or surgeons.

But they can work more independently in some states, rural areas, and inner-city areas, consulting with physicians only when they need help with cases.

Duties Of A Physician Assistant(PA)

Here are the duties of a PA

• Interview and examine patients to determine a diagnosis.
• Order tests to ascertain the nature and extent of illnesses and injuries.
• Prescribe medications and suggest lifestyle changes to remedy medical problems. 
• Stitch wounds and set bones.
• Administer immunizations.
• Maintain patient records and provide documentation for insurance companies.

On the other hand, Physical Therapists work essentially with people recovering from injuries. Their goal is to get patients back in motion with exercises, massage, and other techniques.

The focus of physical therapy is on preventing injuries, and it can also help people avoid surgery or long-term reliance on medications.

Duties Of Physical Therapists

Here are the duties of a physical therapist

• Diagnosing physical problems restricting movement because of an illness or injury.
• Using exercises and other techniques to ease pain and boost mobility and muscle strength.
• Developing fitness and wellness programs aimed at preventing injuries and encouraging a more active lifestyle

#2 Physician Assistant vs Physical Therapist – Education

Most physician assistants need at least a master’s degree to practice which typically takes between 24 and 27 months to complete (2-3 years).

For those who want to climb higher on the career ladder may decide to pursue a doctoral degree and this takes between two and three years.

This is mostly important for those that are through with their bachelor’s degree.

Meanwhile, physical therapists hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which usually takes three years to complete. However, earning a master’s degree is necessary. A typical master’s degree in physical therapy program takes about two years.

Most importantly, take note that both the DPT and the master’s programs require an undergraduate degree.

#3. Physician Assistant(PA) vs Physical Therapist(PT) – Licensing/Certification

Physician assistant licensing laws vary by state but common requirements include graduating from an accredited physician assistant program, meeting fieldwork requirements/completing your training from the approved program and passing a national certification exam.

While, for Physical therapy, you must be licensed as a physical therapist. So, to sit for the National Physical Therapist Examination, you have to be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy school.

#4 Physician Assistant vs Physical Therapist – Work Place

Basically, physician assistants work in the hospital, but there are other places they can work

• Group medical practices
• Colleges
• Government agencies. 
• Rural health care facilities
• Phone triage centers
• Retail clinics
• Community health clinics
• Surgery centers
• Urgent care centers

Although physical therapy happens in a PT’s office, in some occasions, physical therapy may take place at:

• Fitness centers
• Outpatient clinics or offices
• Home health agencies
• Schools

#5 Physician Assistant vs Physical Therapist – Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is expected to expand by 31% from 2018 to 2028, and that’s really very significant.

So, the increased demand for medical services from an aging population and efforts to limit the costs of delivering medical services performed by doctors are factors impacting this growth.

Still, on the report,  the employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

This demand for physical therapy is expected to come from aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life but are susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, that may require physical therapy.

Furthermore, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.

#6 Physician Assistant vs Physical Therapist – Pay/Salary

According to payscale.com, their report says that the average salary of a physician assistant is $96,561.

Also, from BLS reports that physical therapists earn $89,440 per year that is, $43.00 per hour.

What Are The Similarities Between Physician Assistant(PA) And Physical Therapist(PT)?

Irrespective of the differences that may exist between these two, physician assistants (PA) and physical therapists (PT) are quite similar in some ways.

The major similarity between a PA and a PT is that they are both important members of the allied health professions.

Secondly, both the PAs and PTs work in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and so on.

Also, Both physician assistants and Physical therapists educate people on how to prevent and avoid injuries. They both aim to improve your overall functioning, quality of life, and knowledge about how to maintain your health and well-being.

Lastly, PAs and PTs participate directly in patient care, educating patients, and working toward positive patient outcomes.

What Are The Best Schools For Physician Assistants (PAs)?

Below is a list of the best universities that offer physician assistant(PA) programs. Also, click on each of the schools for information on their PA programs.

• University of Utah
• George Washington University
• Wake Forest University
• Interservice Physician Assistant Program
• Drexel University
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• The University of Colorado
• University of Southern California
• Jefferson College of Health Sciences
• Oregon Health and Sciences University
• Emory University
• Baylor College of Medicine
• University of Iowa
• Duke University
• Kettering College

Which Schools Are The Best For Physical therapy(PT) In The USA?

Here is a list of some of the schools that offer the best physical therapy(PT) programs in the USA. Do well to click on each of them for more information on the program.

• University of Delaware
• University of Pittsburgh
• The University of Southern California
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Emory University
• Northwestern University
• University of Iowa
• MGH Institute of Health Professions
• U.S. Army-Baylor University
• Duke University

Which Is Best Between Becoming Physician Assistant(PA) AND Physical Therapist(PT)?

Generally, these two allied health professions are unique and distinct to each other. However, knowing what to pursue depends on your individual, choice, and career goals.

If you really want to work in the medical field but can’t dedicate a lot of years nor invest a lot of money into studying, then, you can become a PA. But, If you want to help lessen people’s pain, then you can go for PT.

In addition, if you want to do your job and also earn more, you can compare the salaries of the two allied health professions and go for the higher on.

What is the Job Outlook For Physician Assistants and Physical Therapists?

Both PA and PTs are highly in demand. Although they both share some similarities, their job outlook posits a great difference between them.

Physician assistants upon completing their program move on to work with Physicians and Medical surgeons. On the other hand, Physical therapists focus on the therapeutic side of things.

Their job responsibilities oftentimes entail helping patients overcome physical abnormalities. They achieve this by working with their muscles and joints to improve functionality and mobility. So, they are a good fit for orthopedic clinics.

On the flip side, Physician Assistants can specialize in pediatrics, orthopedics, neurology, surgery, or motion. They are designated to work under established medical professionals and they can work across medical specialties.

Physical Therapist Versus Physician Assistants: Salary

The salary range for both professions is quite similar, although most PTs earn higher than PAs. According to Vastlearners.com, PA earn an average salary of $80k while PTs earn as much as $150k per annum.

However, an experienced PA may earn up to $120k and job outlook for PAs are so much better than PTs.

The salaries for both occupations are similar. The PA is more likely to earn an average salary of $80k. A PT, on the other hand, can earn as much as 150k. A home health worker, in contrast, might earn up to 120k. But these professionals are not typically paired with athletes. The job outlook for a PA and PT is much better for PAs than for PTs.

FAQS

CONCLUSION

Both physician assistants and physical therapists are allied health professions and they are involved in a range of other medical procedures. However, despite the fact that they both treat similar conditions, they have their differences.

Nevertheless, the type of career one needs depends on his/her specific condition and individual needs.

In addition, knowing your career and individual goals will help you decide on what is better for you between the PA and PT as someone who wants to pursue a career in the healthcare field.

I hope this career helps you make the right decision.

REFERENCES

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/physician-assistant-job-description-salary-and-skills-2061819
• https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physician_Assistant_(PA)/Salary

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