Questions to Ask a Physical Therapist About Their Career
Essential questions to understand the physical therapy profession, training requirements, and daily realities of helping people recover and move better.
1What inspired you to become a physical therapist?
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What inspired you to become a physical therapist?
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Why this works
Reveals motivation, whether personal experience or helping others drove career choice.
2What does a typical day look like in your practice?
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What does a typical day look like in your practice?
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Why this works
Provides realistic picture of patient load, treatment types, and administrative duties.
3What education and clinical training is required to become a PT?
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What education and clinical training is required to become a PT?
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Why this works
Shows degree requirements, internships, licensing exams, and timeline to practice.
4What's the most rewarding part of being a physical therapist?
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What's the most rewarding part of being a physical therapist?
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Why this works
Reveals what sustains them, patient success stories, and meaningful impact moments.
5What are the biggest challenges in physical therapy today?
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What are the biggest challenges in physical therapy today?
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Why this works
Indicates insurance struggles, patient compliance issues, and professional frustrations.
6How do you handle patients who don't follow through with their home exercises?
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How do you handle patients who don't follow through with their home exercises?
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Why this works
Shows patience, motivation strategies, and realistic expectations about patient cooperation.
7What specializations exist within physical therapy?
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What specializations exist within physical therapy?
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Why this works
Reveals career diversity including sports, pediatrics, geriatrics, neuro, and orthopedics.
8How physically demanding is this career?
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How physically demanding is this career?
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Why this works
Indicates whether body takes toll from assisting patients, demonstrations, and manual therapy.
9What's the job market and salary outlook for physical therapists?
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What's the job market and salary outlook for physical therapists?
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Why this works
Shows employment prospects, earning potential, and financial viability of career.
10How do you stay current with new treatment techniques and research?
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How do you stay current with new treatment techniques and research?
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Why this works
Indicates continuing education requirements, field evolution, and learning commitment.
11What skills beyond clinical knowledge are important for success?
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What skills beyond clinical knowledge are important for success?
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Why this works
Shows communication, motivation, empathy, and business skills importance.
12How do you balance evidence-based practice with individual patient needs?
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How do you balance evidence-based practice with individual patient needs?
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Why this works
Reveals approach to research versus clinical judgment and personalized care.
13What's the difference between working in a clinic versus hospital versus home health?
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What's the difference between working in a clinic versus hospital versus home health?
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Why this works
Shows setting options, pros and cons of each, and career versatility.
14How has technology changed physical therapy practice?
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How has technology changed physical therapy practice?
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Why this works
Indicates tools, equipment evolution, and whether tech enhances or complicates work.
15What advice would you give someone considering physical therapy?
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What advice would you give someone considering physical therapy?
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Why this works
Distills experience into guidance for those evaluating this career path.
16How do you measure patient progress and treatment success?
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How do you measure patient progress and treatment success?
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Why this works
Shows outcome metrics, goal-setting approach, and what constitutes effective therapy.
17What surprised you most when you started practicing?
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What surprised you most when you started practicing?
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Why this works
Uncovers gap between school and reality, unexpected aspects of actual work.
18How do you handle the emotional aspect of patients who aren't improving?
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How do you handle the emotional aspect of patients who aren't improving?
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Why this works
Reveals coping with limitations, patient disappointment, and managing expectations.
19What opportunities exist for career advancement or entrepreneurship?
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What opportunities exist for career advancement or entrepreneurship?
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Why this works
Indicates whether you can open own practice, specialize, teach, or pursue leadership.
20Would you choose to become a PT again, and would you recommend it?
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Would you choose to become a PT again, and would you recommend it?
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Why this works
Ultimate satisfaction indicator revealing whether rewards justify education investment.
How to Use These Questions
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
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