Physical therapists have a deep knowledge of how the human body works, whether the patients are athletes, children, the elderly, or any of many others who need help with movement, strength, and flexibility. This comprehensive narrative guides readers through the options for choosing a physical therapy program, considering a workplace and specialization, and some of the specific challenges and rewards of the job. Featuring profiles of real-life professionals and tips and tricks for making the most of the job search and interview process, this inspiring volume gives aspiring physical therapists the tools they need to plan their careers.

The Preparation for the Professions Program by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching focused on education in five professions (clergy, law, engineering, nursing, and medicine), but its influence has been felt throughout higher education and has inspired other professions to turn a critical eye to their own pedagogy. Modeled after the Carnegie Foundation’s example, Drs. Gail Jensen, Elizabeth Mostrom, Laurita Hack, Terrence Nordstrom, and Jan Gwyer began an examination of the state of physical therapist education in the United States in their study, Physical Therapist Education for the Twenty First Century (PTE-21): Innovation and Excellence in Physical Therapist Academic and Clinical Education. With the same team of authors, Educating Physical Therapists documents this examination, detailing the key findings of the study and expanding on its implications. The text begins by looking at the current state of physical therapist education across the continuum, from professional education through residency, then continues by describing exemplars of excellence and best practices that were observed in academic and clinical settings. Through this survey of the profession, a conceptual model of excellence in physical therapist education is derived and presented with practical recommendations. Areas addressed: Elements that promote a culture of excellence Critical needs for advancing learning and the learning sciences Academic and clinical organizational imperatives The critical need for system-based reform Finally, after looking at the current state of physical therapy education, Educating Physical Therapists looks to the future, providing a reimagined vision for what professional education and the profession could be. These recommendations for growth come with commentary by international experts in physical therapy education, providing a wide range of perspectives. After an intensive examination of physical therapist education, Educating Physical Therapists is designed to change the way educators and administrators across academic and clinical settings prepare physical therapists for the future. From the Foreword... "The authors of this volume have much to teach us, and they have taught us well. We can accept their recommendations, or we can argue with them. To ignore them is impossible." - Lee S. Shulman, PhD, President Emeritus, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Introduces the profession of physical therapy, including its history, tools, training programs, and areas of specialization.

This contributed volume presents the current state of research on regenerative rehabilitation across a broad range of neuro- and musculoskeletal tissues. At its core, the primary goal of regenerative rehabilitation is to restore function after damage to bones, skeletal muscles, cartilage, ligaments/tendons, or tissues of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The authors describe the physiology of these neuro- and musculoskeletal tissue types and their inherent plasticity. The latter quality is what enables these tissues to adapt to mechanical and/or chemical cues to improve functional capacity. As a result, readers will learn how regenerative rehabilitation exploits that quality, to trigger positive changes in tissue function. Combining basic, translational, and clinical aspects of the topic, the book offers a valuable resource for both scientists and clinicians in the regenerative rehabilitation field.