Productivity: Orthopedics vs. Family Physicians vs. Physical Therapists
Part I: The Data Tells the Story but why are PT’s so Unproductive?
In this two-part series, we will be examining the productivity or efficiency of physical therapists, particularly related to orthopedic surgeons and family practice physicians
Orthopedic Surgeons
Patient Visits
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the musculoskeletal system and often address conditions that require surgical intervention. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), they conduct approximately 25 million patient visits annually in the United States. These visits include consultations, surgeries, and postoperative care.
Educational Programs and Graduates
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon requires completing medical school, followed by a residency in orthopedic surgery. There are around 180 accredited orthopedic surgery residency programs nationwide, which are highly competitive due to the specialized nature of the field. Each year, about 750 orthopedic surgeons complete their residency programs and enter the workforce.
Current Practicing Professionals
There are an estimated 29,000 practicing orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. Their expertise is crucial for patients needing surgical solutions to musculoskeletal issues.
Family Practice Physicians
Patient Visits
Family practice physicians are often the first point of contact for patients, handling a wide range of health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates they account for about 192 million patient visits each year — approximately eight times the number of visits to orthopedic surgeons.
Educational Programs and Graduates
Aspiring family physicians attend medical school before entering one of the approximately 640 accredited family medicine residency programs across the country. Annually, these programs graduate about 4,400 new family physicians, emphasizing the field’s focus on accessibility and comprehensive care.
Current Practicing Professionals
The number of practicing family physicians stands at about 100,000. They form the backbone of primary care, managing a broad spectrum of health issues and coordinating patient care.
Physical Therapists
Patient Visits
As physical therapists, we focus on restoring function, improving mobility, and enhancing quality of life through noninvasive treatments. It’s estimated that we manage over 100 million patient visits annually in the U.S. This figure highlights the growing recognition of our role in health promotion and recovery.
Educational Programs and Graduates
To become a physical therapist, one must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited institution. According to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), there are currently 256 accredited DPT programs in the United States. Collectively, these programs graduate around 10,000 new PTs each year, equipping us to meet diverse patient needs. These numbers are likely a bit conservative given that developing programs may not have had their first graduating class. It is estimated that there will be approximately 300 PT programs graduating about 12,000 new grads per year by the end of 2024.
Current Practicing Professionals
Our profession boasts over 250,000 licensed PTs nationwide, as reported by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This substantial workforce reflects our expanding role in healthcare and our commitment to improving patient outcomes through movement and function.
Comparative Analysis
To put these numbers into perspective, let’s look at a side-by-side comparison:
Calculations:
- Orthopedic Surgeons: 25,000,000 visits ÷ 29,000 professionals ≈ 862 visits per professional per year
- Family Practice Physicians: 192,000,000 visits ÷ 100,000 professionals = 1,920 visits per professional per year
- Physical Therapists: 100,000,000 visits ÷ 250,000 professionals = 400 visits per professional per year
Reflection on Productivity
Physical therapists on a per visit basis are roughly 50% as productive as an orthopedist and 20% of a family physician. Does this suggest that we spend twice as much time as an orthopedist and 5x as much as a family practice physician with a patient? Keep in mind that for both orthopedic and family physicians, their data includes surgery and procedures as a visit. Can it be that physical therapists are just not productive or efficient? With a population that suggests that physical therapy is only involved in 12–15% of patients that need our care, we have to address this inefficiency or we simply will never be able to address patients who need us.
In Part II we will get to the nitty gritty as to many of the reasons “why” we are so inefficient and unproductive by this comparison.
Until then, feel free to provide your thoughts.
@larry
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Sources:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
