Physical Therapist Shortages in 2023

It’s a crisis that emerged from COVID that you probably wouldn’t have heard of; that is, unless you are recovering from surgery or an injury. In 2021, in the wake of the worst of the pandemic, 22,032 physical therapists left the workforce. That may not sound like a particularly startling statistic. After all, the months of COVID isolation and work-at-home mandates saw a number of sectors lose essential personnel. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that between 2020 and 2030, the United States will need over 49,000 physical therapy positions filled. With a predicted needed growth rate of roughly 21% and an actual average current growth rate of 8%, demand is far exceeding supply.

So why is this happening now? Certainly, COVID-19 contributed to the problem. During the pandemic physical therapists, like many other health professionals, lived under the threat of being exposed to the disease and of trasmitting it to their loved ones. Constant threat led to stress and depression, which resulted in burnout. Furthermore, the American Physical Therapy Association reports that declining patient hours and lost revenue resulted in lower wages and layoffs. 

But COVID is not the only contributing factor to the PT shortage. Between 2010 and 2020 there was a huge demographic shift in which the population of U.S residents over the age of 55 increased by 27% and, perhaps more telling, the over 65 population almost doubled. These are the very groups most in need pf physical therapy services. Contributing to the increased demand was legislation like the Affordable Care Act, which created a greater number of insured patients that could access physical therapy.

In order to address the gap between supply and demand, significant changes need to be made. Congress has introduced the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act to implement long term solutions to the problem, but more is needed in the short term. The Center for Disease Control recommends scheduling and position rotations as well as limiting non-essential appointments to lessen overloads. Financial incentives, such as increased salaries, tuition assistance, and childcare stipends, may also help retain existing physical therapists and attract new candidates to the workforce. Other recommendations include providing more flexible work schedules or even hiring contractual physical therapists to lessen the workload.

What is certain is that without substantial changes, the U.S. will struggle to keep pace with demand for qualified physical therapists. And without that workforce., it is our most vulnerable residents that are likely to suffer.

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Written by Ivan Young in partnership with IMS Bolt maintenance supplies. 

Burger Physical Therapy can help you recover through physical, occupational and speech therapy. Make an appointment today!