How to Ask to Observe a Physical Therapist

It can be a bit nerve-wracking when it is time to find a place where you can acquire observation hours. However, it is (most of the time) a necessary component of the application process for many health professions. Asking to observe a physical therapist the right way is a great way to begin your first impression. It lets them know that you are eager to learn from them and increase your knowledge of physical therapy. In this article, I’ll be detailing the 3 different ways you can ask about observation opportunities in a professional and non-invasive way.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. This information can apply to everyone asking to observe a medical professional, not just pre-PTs.
2. You want to ask in a way that doesn’t disrupt the job of the person you are observing.
3. Odds are that the people you are asking have been in your exact same situation, try not to get too nervous about it.

Email (My Preferred Method)

Email is a great way to request more information about the physical therapy site at which you wish to observe. It allows you to contact them and present yourself in a way that doesn’t disrupt their work, while also ensuring that they can easily contact you. However, it is easy to get lost in a sea of emails, so don’t be surprised if your responses are not as frequent. You should also keep in mind that some PTs do not have their contact information public and it might be harder to reach some of them this way. This was my preferred method of contact.

Here is an email template that I used:

Hello,
My name is __________, and I am currently a ___________ (Freshman, sophomore, etc.) __________ major at ___________ (school). I am in the process of seeking out opportunities for shadowing and observation in order to better understand what it is like to be a physical therapist, as well as to gain hours toward my DPT application. If ________ (site/location name) allows students to shadow, I would welcome an opportunity to observe the work done here and learn about some of the experiences of your physical therapists.
I understand that you all are busy, that your time is valuable, and that COVID restrictions may not allow for normal workdays. However, I would appreciate the opportunity to observe your practices. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach me by e-mail or phone (???-???-????).
Thank you,
_____ _________

Phone

A phone call is also an excellent way to request more information about the physical therapy site you wish to observe, and unlike an email, this could also be an opportunity to leave an impression as PTs are less likely to forget a phone call than a random email. You should also keep in mind that some PTs do not have their phone numbers public and it might be harder to reach some of them this way. However, most businesses have this publicly available.

Here is a “script” that I used when I first started making calls:

“Hello, my name is _________ and I am an undergrad pre-Physical therapy student. I am calling to ask if you were allowing student observation or volunteering right now?”

In-Person

Going to the observation location in person is a good way to meet the physical therapist you will be working with as well as see the site for yourself. However, some might feel that going to the site in-person might be a bit stressful and awkward. It might also be harder to have a conversation with a PT during their working hours. If you choose to do this, maybe start with an email expressing your intentions. You might get your answer there first or you can schedule a time that works for both of you.

Here is an email template that I would use:

“Hello, my name is _________ and I am an undergrad pre-Physical therapy student. I am calling to ask if you have any free time _____ (next week, Thursday, etc.) when I could come to ______ (site/location name) and discuss observing or shadowing opportunities?”

Those are the 3 different ways you can ask about observation opportunities! I hope some of these brought you some insight and relief about contacting physical therapists. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts! For those applying to PT school with questions about PTCAS, check out my PTCAS series! Be on the lookout for more information about gaining observation hours!

Best of luck to everyone applying!