Final-Year Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Preferences for Employment and Postprofessional Education: An Exploratory Survey Study

Adriaan Louw; Emilio Puentedura; Colleen Louw; Kristin Smith; Laurence Benz; Michael Walker

doi:10.1097/JTE.0000000000000414

Final-Year Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Preferences for Employment and Postprofessional Education: An Exploratory Survey Study

J Phys Ther Educ. 2025 Jun 10. doi: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000414. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Adriaan Louw^{1

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6}, Emilio Puentedura^{1

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6}, Colleen Louw^{1

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6}, Kristin Smith^{1

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6}, Laurence Benz^{1

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6}, Michael Walker^{1

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6}

Affiliations

¹ Adriaan Louw is a director of pain science, in the Evidence in Motion, 605 Pennsylvania Ave Story City, IA 50248 ( adriaan@eimpt.com ). Please address all correspondence to Adriaan Louw.
² Emilio Puentedura is a professor, at the Baylor University, in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.
³ Colleen Louw is a program director pain certification, in Evidence in Motion.
⁴ Kristin Smith is a program director manual therapy, in Evidence in Motion.
⁵ Laurence Benz is a founder and operating director, in Confluent Health.
⁶ Michael Walker is a chief academic officer, in Evidence in Motion-Orthopaedic.

PMID: 40493437
DOI: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000414

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to identify the most preferred factors in job offers and postprofessional continuing education (CE) for final-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students entering the workforce.

Review of literature: There is increasing concern regarding the physical therapy (PT) workforce in the United States. The profession is experiencing high rates of burnout, record numbers of PTs leaving the field, and a general inadequacy in maintaining a sufficiently large workforce to meet the growing demand for PT services.

Subjects: Convenience sample (n = 219; 18 states) of final-year DPT students in the United States (9 DPT programs).

Methods: For this study, a cross-sectional survey was designed consisting of 3 sections that collected data on student demographics, employment preferences, and postprofessional CE preferences upon graduation.

Results: When considering a job offer, most students (100 students, 46%) prioritized base pay, while 77 (35%) favored company culture. Nearly all DPT students (92.3%) expressed interest in pursuing postprofessional CE, including options like clinical specialty certification (29.9%), board certification (21.9%), and residency (11%). Preferences for postprofessional CE delivery were divided equally between online and in-person training.

Discussion and conclusion: Findings from our convenience sample of final-year DPT students suggest that they prioritized higher base pay. However, they were not as interested in financial incentives linked to conditions that could restrict their work schedule flexibility. They preferred to find an employer whose values and work culture align with their own to minimize the risk of burnout. Finally, most respondents reported wanting to further their education, including mentorship opportunities, and preferred a balanced learning approach that included both online and in-person components.

Keywords: Doctor of physical therapy; Employment; Postprofessional education; Students.