A physical therapist works towards the restoration of function and the elimination of disability in individuals of all ages who have physical dysfunction due to illness, accident, or other means. The physical therapist is an integral member of the health care team and a skilled practitioner who works in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation centers, community and public health centers and agencies, private practices, research centers, industry, sports medicine centers, and as educators in colleges and universities.
Physical therapists are guided by integrity, life-long learning, and a commitment to comprehensive and accessible health programs for all people, and provide empathetic, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based care distinguished by legal, ethical, and professional behavior.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) vision for the field is that by 2020, physical therapy will be provided by doctors of physical therapy. Further, the APTA foresees that physical therapists will be autonomous practitioners immediately accessible to patients/clients in all environments for patient/client management, prevention, and wellness services, in states and territories for which there are such legal provisions.