162: Why PT & OT Programs Are Struggling to Attract Applicants

In this episode of the Better Outcomes Show, we take a look at a recent conversation on LinkedIn about the steep decline in occupational therapy (and physical therapy) school applications.A post by Sarah Lyon raised an important question: Why are fewer students choosing OT, and what does that mean for the future of the profession?In response, Rafi shared several factors that may be contributing to the decline — and in this episode, he unpacks those ideas in more detail.What we cover in this episode:- Why confusion about OT entry-level requirements (Master’s vs. OTD) is discouraging prospective applicants.- How rising tuition and questionable ROI impact PT/OT’s attractiveness compared to other health professions.- The role of corporate healthcare and private equity in fueling burnout — and how that shapes the profession’s reputation.- Why other clinical degrees often carry higher compensation ceilings and broader leadership opportunities.- What these trends mean for the future — and why this might actually be a unique opportunity for new students entering PT/OT now. If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!