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PURPOSE: As the physical therapy profession anticipates transitioning the entry-level degree from a Master's of Physical Therapy degree (MPT) to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree (DPT), it is important to understand the opinion of practicing therapists regarding this issue. The purpose of this research was to determine knowledge and attitudes held by practicing physical therapists in the state of Washington towards the DPT. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 200 practicing physical therapists in Washington state who were members of the Physical Therapy Association of Washington (PTWA). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A written survey was mailed to 630 randomly selected physical therapists who were members of PTWA. The survey included an open-ended question requesting comments about the DPT. ANALYSIS: Comments were coded according to distinct content, and subjected to a code/recode process among six researchers, using Nud*ist (Non-numerical Unstructured Data Indexing, Searching and Theorizing) software for data management. Peer debriefing was undertaken to refine thematic categories based on code/ recode results. RESULTS: Of 455 surveys returned (72% response rate), 200 (44%) included comments in response to the survey invitation that were qualitatively analyzed. Several themes emerged, including: (1) anticipated negative effects on physical therapist salary expectations; (2) anticipated negative impacts on physical therapist job market; (3) anticipated negative impacts on physical therapist job description; (4) anticipated negative effects on reimbursement; (5) anticipated negative effects on cost of physical therapy education; (6) concerns about appropriateness of the degree at entry level versus at post-professional level. A few comments were strongly in support of the DPT, but these were generally not sufficiently iterative to constitute a theme. A few respondents indicated that they did not know enough about the degree to form opinions. CONCLUSIONS: Responses to the question of attitudes towards the DPT seemed to reveal considerable misunderstanding of the nature of the degree. The results of this survey indicate a need for greater education of APTA members regarding the degree. In addition, further consideration of member concerns regarding this issue may be merited at the national level., Sundahl BT, West ICE, Aaby J, Brooks SN, Gaines HM, Hummel-Berry KH. University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, [...]