Practising as a PT till retirement age for a lady

Dear everybody

PT is a strenuous profession, especially when I am a 33 year old lady planning for a life-long career in Australia. In Australia, in terms of percentage, what are the chances an average Registered lady physiotherapist practise as a PT till retirement age and beyond?

Which areas of specialisation in clinical practice are more suitable as a lady PT advances in her age? I want to avoid the situation where I study hard to pass the Australian Board exams, get registered in Australia, work for a few short years and then realize only too late that I have no more physical energy or strength to continue practising to a ripe old age, supporting myself and contributing to society.

Would appreciate it if all of you share your insights, opinions and advice?

Cheers

Judy

At 33 I'm surprised that you are particularly concerned about this. I'm 30, working in Neuro which is probably the physically most demanding speciality and I've no plans on stopping soon...anyhow that's a different matter. I have worked with 50 year olds still working in Neuro though she is an exception rather than the rule.

Women's health is probably a good speciality for physically less demanding work. Or hand therapy? I'm not sure on the latter but I would guess it is largely done in sitting.

Many of my early mentors in the public sector we well into their late 50's and early 60's. I have seen many go through to retirement and not really wish to do so. Senior members of our profession are really needed. They hold senior posts on boards and committees and help many younger physio's starting out to work through those not so often seen patients with the rarer problems not seen let alone taught as an undergraduate.

I would say in general that someone who does a lot of manual work/manipulation for a few decades will perhaps move into other areas of specialisation or treatment provision. But they would not retire. I was only discussing this with a lady last week and we were talking about how PT's can really practise well into their 70's if they want to.

In general I perhaps see more senior PTs within the public sector, especially in neurology, orthopaedics, amputees, hydrotherapy etc where treatment is a team approach and less professionally isolated.

But in an age of equality and in a profession dominated by women it does seem a rather strange question to ask. Perhaps it is more a cultural issue rather than a physical one?