Big List of "Back-Up" Plans for Premeds- Part 3: PT/OT

This is Part 3 of my Big List of "Back-Up" Plans for Premeds series, intended to give a brief introduction to some alternate careers in health care that premeds might consider pursuing.

I would like to introduce physiotherapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT)- both professions play critical roles in healthcare, helping patients improve in ways different from medicine. They work in a variety of healthcare settings- hospitals, private practice, home care, industry, government.

PTs are responsible for "evaluating, restoring and/or enhancing physical function and independence" through their "knowledge of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones of your body along with a thorough understanding of how they all work together." (Manitoba Physiotherapy Association)
OTs  "provide the skills for the job of living and solves the problems that interfere with peoples ability to do the activities or occupations that are important to them." (CAOT)

PTs and OTs perform a wide range of services for patients to improve their quality of life- you can find out more from Canadian Physiotherapy Association and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Important points regarding PT/OT Programs in Canada:

• Generally 2-year long course-based Masters programs with integrated clinical education.
• GPA is most important factor in admissions (sometimes the only factor in admissions), with some schools placing emphasis on extracurriculars and interviews.

Here are some large charts summarizing general information and prereqs regarding PT/OT programs in Canada- information regarding francophone schools (Laval, Montreal,  Ottawa) has not been included because all information is in French only:

Figure 1. Canadian Physiotherapy Programs-click to enlarge

Figure 2. Canadian Physiotherapy Programs prereqs- click to enlarge.

Figure 3. Canadian Occupational Therapy Programs- click to enlarge

Figure 4. Canadian Occupational Therapy Programs prereqs- click to enlarge

Statistics
Regarding Ontario OT/PT programs, there are ~600-1300 applications for ~60-80 seats per school- see stats at ORPAS. For other programs, competition seems fairly lax- anywhere from 100-700 applications for a decent number of seats.

Non-academic
Most schools require you to submit CVs, personal statements/letter of intent detailing your personal aspirations and extracurricular activities. Check school websites for more details.

Potential salary & Job security/market

In both professions, salaries can vary greatly depending on your experience, scope and location of practice (hospital or private, Ontario or Alberta, for example).

In 2010, PTs' hourly wages ranged from $26.55 to $41.52. In Alberta, pay scale can range from $32.00 to $48.00. According to CAOT, new OTs earn from $40,000 to $45,000- hourly wages for OTs ranged from $29.32 to as high as $42.50 in Toronto (2010). 

Links to school websites

Dalhousie University: PT OT
McGill University
Queen's University
McMaster University
University of Toronto: PT OT
Western University: PT OT
University of Manitoba: PT OT
University of Saskatchewan (PT only)
University of Alberta
UBC: PT OT

You wouldn't believe how long it took me to make those charts... definitely longer than what was needed. I think I will stop with overly-detailed charts from now on. Part 4 will feature Nursing, Accelerated/Compressed Nursing programs in Canada.

Matt

How I got my first research position: a ragecomic illustration

I've been fairly inactive lately, but I made some comics to explain why I've been so quiet/useless for a while.

So this past summer was quite a frustrating time for me, what with getting rejected from med schools and finding myself without a backup plan. The only plan I had was to get a position in research since I had really bad luck with research in the past--this was an area in my application that was definitely lacking since I had absolutely no research experience whatsoever.

As a result, I found myself applying to (literally) a hundred different research positions in a month.

Figure 1. Before it all began.

Figure 2. Why applications for anything anywhere generally suck all the time.

Of course, I didn't get a single callback. Not only did I have no experience in research, I also didn't have any legitimate employment experience either (just a couple of "self-employed" positions that really holds no value). 

In the second month, I applied as a volunteer research assistant to dozens of labs. I received one reply, had an interview, and was accepted into a lab. Even though what I did was very basic, I worked ridiculously hard considering I was a volunteer. I was extremely grateful for the opportunity since this position gave me what was needed to get my first research position, as well as my first legit paid job.

After two months of volunteering, an opening for a paid research position opened up in the same hospital I was volunteering at. I applied, and somehow got an interview.

This is how the interview went (slightly dramatized):

Figure 3. Getting a job with sheer will and eagerness.

...and that's what I've been doing for a few weeks now, living up to my promise of insane work ethics. I'm having a lot of fun so far but still working like a lunatic, hoping for a publication. Although,

Figure 4. At the end of the day.

...but this really is the best opportunity I've ever had and I've learnt some ridiculous amounts of stuff since I started. Persistence really does pay off.

On another note, I will be posting some stuff that are actually useful in the near future. Stay tuned.


Matt

10,000 views & Update on ongoing projects

So the blog recently hit 10,000 views (now past 11,000) while I was away for a bit last week. I made some memes to celebrate the occasion:

Figure 1. I guess I am... only slightly.

Figure 2. How I feel about the recent rise in pageviews.

Figure 3. What I'm constantly reminded of any time I mention the blog to family.

Figure 4. I'm actually kind of worried that this might happen/already happened.

An update on ongoing projects- Here's what I've been working on these days:

1. Big List of "Back-Up" Plans for Premeds

As you may or may not have noticed, this is going quite well (at least, imo). I plan to write up to Part 15 before the end of the year, ideally before deadlines for such programs pass.

2. Just for fun- Guide to a 45T on the MCAT.

Just a hypothetical, "for fun" guide if I ever wanted to try for a higher MCAT score... with lots of money + resources.

3. How to Get Rejected Like a Boss- a rage comic story.

Self-explanatory.

4. Guide to Canadian med school admissions + School-specific Admissions Guides

This is pretty much ready for a quick write + posting, but I can't help but feel I'm screwing myself over for sharing "secrets" (not really, but you get the idea)... will have to think for a while.

5. The Bible of Medical School Interviews- Advice, Testimonials, and Sample Questions

At the risk of sounding like a douche, this is also something that might be indirectly harming myself but more importantly, it has the possibility of giving an unfair advantage to those that read it because it will contain:

• The biggest collection of traditional interview questions (without duplicates/similar questions), categorized into 8 distinct areas for specific practice- pretty much complete.
• The biggest collection of MMI questions, with detailed answers & guides to answering for some of the more difficult questions- nearing completion.
• Select documents, scoring sheets, statistics, advice/tips/testimonials from experienced interviewers/interviewees, and other fun stuff- in progress.

I always had a thing for collecting information that might be valuable- as a result, I built up quite a large collection of materials regarding interviews, school-specific admissions, MCAT, etc... hence the possibility of something like the above. The problem: I don't know what to do with this even if I complete it, without raising serious issues with fairness/interview standards. Unfortunately, this may never see the light of day.

Finally, I would like to say that it would be nice to get more feedback considering I've been getting an average of 120+ pageviews per day. Comments, compliments, criticism, threats, or even a comment from a disapproving admissions committee member would be very appreciated. 

Matt