Physical therapists (PTs) work with patients during their recovery process, after surgery or injury. By earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), you will learn how to help individuals regain or maintain mobility through treatments such as strength and stretching exercises, electrical stimulation and manual therapy techniques.
To be successful, you should consciously cultivate several skills and characteristics of a physical therapist. Let’s review the essential qualities of a physical therapist and how working to develop these physical therapist skills can help you advance in your physical therapy career.
What Skills Do You Need as a Physical Therapist?
1. Be Realistic
Some conditions, such as chronic musculoskeletal disorders, are challenging to treat. Others, such as Parkinson’s disease, don’t have a cure.1
It’s important to remain practical about what your patients can achieve—it’s better for you and them in the long run. One of the most critical characteristics of physical therapists is managing expectations—avoiding the encouragement of unrealistic ones is essential.
2. Be Patient
Next on this list of physical therapist skills is patience. PTs should remain calm and composed during treatment and when working with challenging patients.
Treatment timelines depend not only on the patient’s specific condition but also on their level of motivation, physical capacity and more.
3. Be Collaborative
One of the essential characteristics of a physical therapist is collaboration. The best physical therapists recognize this, even if in a virtual environment.
What makes a good physical therapist is someone who fosters a strong partnership with their patients and works with them to achieve shared goals for the PT treatment plan. Encourage an open dialogue and reflect on the feedback you receive from patients and peers.
Cultivate a collaborative mindset to work with your colleagues in PT and other healthcare disciplines. Working on a team with others is a great way to develop the necessary qualities of a good physical therapist, and interprofessional collaboration improves patient care and health outcomes.2
4. Be Determined
Prepare to take on challenging cases and stay motivated. When patients feel like giving up, one of the most valuable qualities of a physical therapist is to remain focused on the process.
Encourage patients to stay committed and determined as they heal. Inspiring perseverance in your patients is one of the main characteristics of a physical therapist.
5. Be Resilient
Another one of the most critical qualities of a physical therapist is resilience. Like most things in life, progress in physical therapy is not always a straight path.
Your patients will likely experience ups and downs. Being able to adapt and respond positively to change and adversity are necessary characteristics of physical therapists.
6. Be Compassionate
To work in patient care, you need compassion, as patients might feel anxious about their treatment. A kind bedside manner is one of the most notable characteristics of a physical therapist, as it inspires comfort in patients.
Another one of the more important qualities of a good physical therapist is empathy. Successful physical therapists care about the well-being of their patients. They ask the right questions to determine the appropriate treatment goals for each patient.
7. Be Knowledgeable
Individuals with a range of conditions, from joint injuries to neurological diseases, seek treatment from physical therapists. As far as physical therapist skills are concerned, you need a broad knowledge to draw from.
This is one of the primary qualities of a good physical therapist to cultivate, even if you ultimately decide to specializein a particular area, such as geriatrics or oncology. A great PT is constantly learning the latest research, advancements and best practices.3
8. Have Integrity
Be open and honest with your patients and do what you say you will do. Integrity is one of the most important physical therapist characteristics because it helps foster a healthy relationship built on patient-practitioner trust.
Excellent PTs consistently demonstrate professionalism and have strong ethics. These qualities of a physical therapist are reflected in actions such as protecting patient privacy and consistently acting in patients’ best interests.
9. Be Respectful
Another one of the most important characteristics of a physical therapist is respect. The top PT professionals honor the wishes of their patients. Regardless of what you determine to be the best course of action, your patients will decide whether or not they will pursue the recommended treatment options.
You can offer your professional opinion, but ultimately, you must acknowledge and accept the patient’s decision. In your therapy practice, you will treat patients of all ages and body types and from all walks of life. One of the critical qualities of a physical therapist is to address your patients with equal respect.
10. Be Communicative
Before evaluating your patient and developing a treatment plan, you will speak with the patient about their acute symptoms and current and aspirational levels of fitness and health.
Effective communication is one of the most essential physical therapist characteristics to develop. A patient who understands their care plan is more likely to succeed.4 PTs should aim to educate patients using clear language and ask questions to explore patient needs so communication flows in each direction.
11. Be Astute
Attention to detail is another one of the most critical characteristics of a physical therapist. Being astute will help you detect any changes in the patient’s abilities.
Patients with the same injury can respond differently to treatment, so closely observe each patient’s progress and adjust your care plan accordingly, regardless of your expectations. Remaining astute will help you determine the patient’s individual and evolving needs.
12. Be Positive
Working with people who are in pain and suffering can be emotionally taxing. Having the capacity to remain positive, upbeat and open-minded are great qualities of a physical therapist. Learning to turn negatives into positives and combat negative self-talk will help you succeed.
What Personality is Best for a Physical Therapist??
Developing both soft characteristics and hard skills for physical therapists will help you succeed as a physical therapist. Are you compassionate, communicative and interested in helping people regain mobility and quality of life? A career in physical therapy may be right for you. The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a graduate physical therapy program that can help you hone the critical characteristics of a physical therapist, prepare you to work collaboratively with your colleagues and deliver optimal care.
The largest PT school in the United States,* the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a hands-on graduate physical therapy program. Practice with mock and real patients in our state-of-the-art simulation centers and learn anatomy with our high-tech tools. Prepare for clinical practice with a wide range of patients, as well as advanced roles in research, practice leadership and policymaking. Residential and Flex formats are available.
*Based on total DPT degrees conferred during 2020-2022, as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data is captured by IPEDS through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES).
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic, “Parkinson’s disease,” Mayo Clinic, September 27, 2024, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376062.
- Will O’Connor, M.D., “Benefits of Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare,” TigerConnect, November 10, 2023, https://tigerconnect.com/resources/blog-articles/5-benefits-of-interprofessional-collaboration-in-healthcare/.
- Therapeutic Resources, “24 Ways to Enhance Your Physical Therapy Practice in 2024,” Therapeutic Resources, January 28, 2024, https://therapeuticresource.com/blog/24-ways-to-enhance-your-physical-therapy-practice-in-2024.
- Elite Learning by Colibri Healthcare, Elite Learning, “Enhancing PT Patient Engagement Strategies,” January 6, 2025, https://www.elitelearning.com/resource-center/rehabilitation-therapy/physical-therapy/enhancing-pt-patient-engagement-strategies/.
