Quiz: Is PT The Right Profession for You?

Are you uncertain on which career path is right for you? Are you considering pursuing healthcare, but unsure which track is most suited towards your preferences? Take this short quiz to see if the Physical Therapy profession is right for you.

1. Do You Enjoy Moving Around Throughout Your Day?

• Yes! Physical therapy is a great career choice for those who like to move around and stay active throughout their workday. Physical Therapists work with patients to teach them how to roll over, transition from siting to standing, walk and even climb stairs. Pediatric physical therapists also participate in play on the floor and play structures. Although there may be some desk-work time, the majority of your PT career will be spent moving and even playing through your workday.
• No! Not all physical therapists participate in a highly active role, there are options such as documentation auditing, technology innovation, writing, or even liaison work if this field truly interests you.

2. Have You Ever Considered Being a Coach or a Mentor to Someone in Need?

• Yes! A physical therapist’s role is similar to that of a coach or mentor. We spend time educating, guiding, and motivating our patients to better themselves. At Athletico, we’ve created a best-in-class mentoring program to promote clinical excellence and inspire future professional and clinical growth. We also offer student clinical education experiences to support physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, and occupational therapy students in the clinical setting.
• No! Perhaps consider a field such as kinesiology or exercise science. Here you will find similar studies without the focus on social relationships.

3. Do You Enjoy Working with and Meeting New People Each Day?

• Yes! At the center of the physical therapy world is the patient itself. In this field, you will meet new patients with various backgrounds, beliefs, lifestyles, and goals. As their therapist, you will find ways to build relationships, facilitate growth and optimize outcomes together.
• No! There are areas within the rehabilitation world that focus on ergonomics, equipment design and accessibility. The patient may not be “present” in your workday, but your efforts will influence their outcomes.

4. Do You Enjoy a Good Puzzle or Mystery?

• Yes! Physical therapists use their expertise to analyze human movement to both diagnose and treat our patients. Unlike a car or a computer which may have an “error code,” physical therapists must deduce the problem based on the patient’s symptoms alone.
• No! One solution for this could be the role of a Physical Therapist Assistant. This career path allows you the have the satisfaction of rehabilitation environment, without the challenges of patient evaluations.

5. Do You Like Working with Your Hands?

• Yes! Physical therapy is a very hands-on field. Whether it is fitting crutches, assembling a wheelchair, or helping a patient transfer out of bed you will be using your hands and body to help solve problems.
• No! There are less physically active roles in the rehabilitation world. Speech therapy, occupational therapy and recreational therapy are other great alternatives as they are much less physically demanding. Check them out and see if they are a good fit for you.

The field of physical therapy is just one of the many options in the health care and rehabilitative medicine field. If you are still unsure if physical therapy is right for you, consider reaching out to an Athletico near you to shadow a PT or PTA to get a first-hand look at the profession. Be sure to check out our website to view our available roles!

View Physical Therapy Roles in Your Area

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.