Is Occupational Therapy Doctorate Worth It?

Occupational therapists or OTs are professionals who help disabled or injured people to recover. Read more them on this page here. They also work with those who have special needs so they can function better in their daily lives. The development of skills is necessary for those who are struggling to get by.

The best OTs are working with patients to create a tailored plan that helps them achieve the lifestyle they want and their goals. Overall, the process is a form of rehabilitation. The patients involved are supported to continue and perform the daily tasks they need to do with minor disruptions and minimal challenges. The healthcare professionals in the field are working in clinics, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and various other settings to help many people.

To be an OT, you need to enjoy working with various people to help them discover a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Some need recovery after an injury or accident, and this is where you can contribute the most. You may be wondering whether it’s worth it to pursue a doctorate after you’ve completed your studies. If so, then read more about the benefits below.

Is A Doctorate a Good Decision for You?

You may have already worked in the medical field and thought about furthering your education. You want to be in a career and position where you can help many patients the most. Whether you love this or not, going back to school is a decision you need to take seriously. Some of the reasons why a doctorate is good for you are the following:

1. You Want to Make a Difference

You’re someone who wants to make a significant difference in the lives of patients that you encounter. If so, an OTD degree and a doctorate one at it can allow you to help. Many people need more compassionate leaders in the healthcare systems.

You’ll become the cheerleader of your patients and help them maintain their independence. Some will never forget you when you were the one who helped them live a normal life, boost their confidence to return to work, and overcome cognitive impairment.

Suppose you are someone caring and enthusiastic; earning a degree may be the best choice for you. You can pursue a career that will let you flourish, and you’ll love what you’re doing as well as earn the respect of people around you.

2. A More Flexible Environment

You can encounter diverse environments and different people every time. This is helpful if you want varied and flexible options in your career. Some start working with the older adults in senior facilities, and later on, they decide to move into the school setting.

As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to use cutting-edge technology like functional prostheses and 3D printing. To learn more about prostheses, click here. This will give you knowledge and training when your friends and families need help later in life. A doctorate degree will keep you updated about the advances in medical technology, and you can help more people as a result.

3. Advancement of your Career

You may be currently working as a therapist, but you don’t have your doctorate yet. Why not try to earn one? After all, no one stops you from earning a doctorate degree and accelerating your career in the process. This field in medicine will give you a leading role in education, clinical leadership, field research, and administration of health care. You may want to rise up in the ranks, obtain a leadership role and get higher earnings in the process.

Financial Returns

The costs of the degree can be different depending on the school and the programs that you’re enrolling in. In many cases, an OT doctoral program on campus can be done with an enrollment coordinator that will let you know about the admission process and the costs and credits of each course you’ll take.

Applicants can choose to transform into a researcher and consultant even if they get entry-level doctorate degrees. They can further their education for massive returns when they decide to do so in the future.

Others are not necessarily concerned with the pay they will get with a higher rank, but they care about helping. The happiness that they reap from helping elderly adults, the injured, and the disabled live a life that’s comfortable to them is more than enough than the pay.

But if you’re curious, then know that earnings are usually correlated directly with one’s educational attainment. In 2018, the weekly earnings of a therapist with a master’s degree were about $1434, which is lower when you compare it to the $1,800 for one with a doctorate degree. When you look at this on a scale of a decade, there can be about a $400,000 difference between the two, but this number can become higher today.