ArticlePhysical therapy2025
Current and Projected Future Supply and Demand for Physical Therapists From 2022 to 2037: A New Approach Using Microsimulation.
Article in Physical therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed.
- AI-Enabled Telerehabilitation for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR formative research · 2026Trial
- Preferences of health professions learners: a scoping review of the use and role of DCEs in health professions education.Medical education online · 2026Article
- Trimodal prehabilitation for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A best evidence summary.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2026Review
- Digital Telerehabilitation After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review of Clinical Outcomes, Patient Experience, Safety, and Resource Use.Journal of orthopaedics and sports medicine · 2026Article
- De-implementing spinal injections in pursuit of value-based care: Rethinking pain relief.The journal of pain · 2026Review
- Training frontline providers: a survey analysis of the advanced vestibular physical therapist certificate program's impact on clinical practice.BMC medical education · 2026Article
- Home Health Value-Based Purchasing and Postacute Home Health Visits Among Older Adults With Dementia.JAMA network open · 2026Observational
- Knowledge, Practice and Barriers to Exercise Rehabilitation Among Chinese Patients with Acute Musculoskeletal Injury: A Mixed-Methods Study.International journal of general medicine · 2026Article
- Mapping the Availability of Rehabilitation Providers Using Public Licensure and Population Data for a Geographic Information System-Based Approach to Workforce Planning: Cross-Sectional Feasibility Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Review
- "It's Still Exposure Just in a Slightly Different Way"-Understanding the Contribution of Simulation to Developing Physical Therapist Skills in Ireland: An Interpretive Description Study.Physical therapy · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
importanceProjections of physical therapist supply and demand provide critical insights into workforce trends, including factors that may influence possible shortages.
objectiveThis study evaluates the current and forecasted adequacy of the physical therapist workforce in the United States to meet the evolving health care needs of the population.
designThis is a cross-sectional study that combines survey data, analysis of administrative databases, and microsimulation modeling.
settingThe study evaluates future demand for physical therapists across all employment and care delivery settings. Projections of supply and demand are compared to assess workforce adequacy nationally and by state through 2037.
participantsSupply modeling incorporates a representative sample of physical therapists from each state, derived from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) counts and demographic data from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member database. An online survey administered in April 2024 to APTA members (n = 1759 completed surveys, 18% response rate) collected data on demographics, practice characteristics, workload, hours worked, and retirement intentions.
interventionThe study examines key factors influencing the physical therapist workforce, including demographics, care delivery patterns, workload, hours worked, and provider retention. MAIN OUTCOMES: The study forecasts annual full-time equivalent (FTE) physical therapist supply and demand through 2037, with state-level analysis and additional forecasts for alternative forecast scenarios.
resultsIn 2022, there were an estimated 233,890 FTE physical therapists in the workforce. A projected shortfall of 12,070 FTEs (5.2%) in 2022 was identified relative to population demand. Although projected supply growth from 2022 to 2037 (39,170 FTEs) exceeds demand growth (36,280 FTEs), a national shortfall remains in most forecast scenarios. By 2037, the physical therapist supply is expected to reach 273,070 FTEs, while demand will increase to 282,230 FTEs, resulting in a projected shortfall of 9120 FTEs (3.3%) in the main scenario.
conclusionsUnless measures are implemented to boost the number of physical therapists entering or re-entering the workforce, or policies are enacted to improve retention, the national shortfall is likely to persist, further exacerbating access to care challenges. RELEVANCE: This study underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to address workforce shortages and additional research into health care workforce forecasting.
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