American interested in the Netherlands

[GraysonG]

I am an American (English speaking) Doctor of Physical Therapy student interested in seeking employment or a residency (intern) positions in the Netherlands. Could someone please inform me of the process, prospects and opportunities of the Netherlands?
I am particularly perplexed as to why Physiotherapy is a Bachelor’s level competency in some European countries, when it is a Masters and Doctorate level competency here in the United States. If someone could enlighten me regarding why this is the case, I would be much obliged. Thank you.

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[polyboy]

Not a European PT but new zealand where PT degree's are also Bachelor levels. Have worked in the US and can't really see benefit of the Master's or even the entry level Doctorate as new grad's coming out of school in the US with a Master's or Doctorate were not academically or clinically more skilled than the Bachelor level PT, I can say so because I was a clinical supervisor for several master's and doctorate level PT students. It seems like the levels in the US are to try and facilitate more research in PT or to gain more respectability among the medical community or put PT's on a more level playing field with Chiropractors who seem better organised and have tried to encroach or limit what PT's can do. In new zealand to gain a master's in PT requires post grad study in a specialised field of PT, Sports, neuro for example. Just my 2 cents about it all.

[GraysonG]

Thank you for your perspective. Physical Therapy is a profession in short supply here in the U. S. and elsewhere in the world, and I am curious if you could inform me of the situation in New Zealand. Is compensation for physical therapist comparable to the US? Is there a high demand? What qualifications are needed to practice? I am also curious if transitioning to the US was easy for you because New Zealand is a destination the intrigues me.

[polyboy]

at the moment the NZ degree is at bachelor level, and there are only 2 schools in NZ. there is a high demand for PT's here as those trained normally head overseas mainly to UK. the payscale is no where near what is paid in the US probably paid a third of us salaries. the only diffculty in working in the states is applying for the work visa, our course had to go through a credentialling phase and while our professional degree was rated on par with the US degree in some states they would not issue a license as they said we lacked general papers such as chemistry 101 or sociology papers. the nz degree is structured differently with it being a 4 year bachelor degree in physiotherapy rather than having to do a undergrad, then PT degree.

[physiosarah]

Hi there,

I afraid I agree with the above comments. I am currently in the process of finishing my last lot of requirements the work in the US. I am 9 years post grad with lots of manual based courses under my belt and because I never I had Physics or sociology as an A level I have to take exams in these subjects. I also had to do a tissue viabilty course because a small section on wound care was not part of my degree.

From what I can gather from colleagues in th US there are alot more restrictions clinically that there are here in the UK NZ and Australia, an probably lots of other places. The masters content and Doctorate for that matter is similar to our bachelors degrees here and we far outweigh the clinical hours put in as an undergraduate.

Sorry, I don't want to sound as though I'm slagging US degrees off!!

I Would be interested in hearing from any UK,NZ or OZ Physio's that have managed the uphill struggle for registration in the US.

Good luck in the Netherlands if you make it.

SArah

[polyboy]

I went over in 1997 after a year so it was a long uphill struggle both with getting registered for PT and getting a visa, although since 9/11 getting a visa is alot harder. The problem with the way PT is in the US is that there doesn't seem to be a national professional standard body that makes working in any state easy. each state has their own requirements that differ from state to state which really makes it difficult for foreigners. granted they do have a national exam but there again even if you pass some states want different pass rates. the other thing is you don't know which states accept your degree until you put in an application as they won't tell you upfront so you have to go with the credentialling agency they recommend pay couple 100 bucks to be told sorry not accepted. there is some hypocrisy because they say our PROFESSIONAL degree is on par (our Bachelor to their masters) but because we don't have some basic papers then they won't issue a license. for kiwi's it was easier to get into new york, louisiana, illinois, michigan that i know of. i did though enjoy the 9 years i was there but the health system did take some getting use to. about the only problem i encountered with entry level doctorate students was their perception that as they had a doctorate then for some reason they thought they had superior skills and knowledge, the clinical arena was a great levelling and learning field to bring them back to reality.