PTs are fat, have tatoos, and don't use sun screen

I am not inherently opposed to traveling PT positions, but this ad from Delta Flex Travelers in the March 17 issue of Today in PT has to go down as one of the worst ever.

The implication is that the photo of the fat guy with the tatoo and a bad sun burn standing in the water is a PT (tough to visualize on this B&W scan but trust me on the fat, tatoo, and sunburn), not exactly the image I would be trying to convey if this were my recruiting company. Is this really the perception of a PT? I guess we can only hope they had a PTA in mind with the image (just kidding)!

John

Comments

[Carina Lowry]

John,

I am not thinking that they are saying the guy in the pic is a PT...but rather that this may be the view you get if you decide to go to the beach instead of to the office. Either way, the ad is not clear and direct as to what is the point--another reason why PT needs a brand.

Carina

[ArthurVeillleux]

I agree with Carina. You can skip work and go to the beach where you may wind up staring at this guys back side all afternoon or go on in to work and have a rewarding, fulfilling day. I think these type of ads are a bit more clever than the usual appeals. At least they got you thinking about them.

[Amy Garrigues]

Things could be worse -- at least he isn't playing the Wii!

--Amy

[therapist]

what's this rude comment about pta's? how arrogant.

[Jason Silvernail]

...Hence the "(just kidding)" after it...

[Marc Bowles, CMO, The Delta Companies]

John-
I can understand your concern toward the brand or imagine of PTs and PTAs. Thank you for voicing your concern.Sorry for any confusion, it was not the intent. We will make in future adjustments to be more clear in our ads. Sincerely, thank you.

The ad's purpose was to poke fun at how all travel company ads always show wonderful vacation like ads for assignments. Knowing that assignments are not always 'stomping grapes in Napa valley.' PTs and PTAs are seriously needed for patient care. Travelers aren't vacationing on many assignments and often vacations aren't what they're cracked up to be...so,"Sometimes it's better to go to work." The ad is meant to be a reflection agnecy ad of assignements beign vacations, not at PTs or PTAs.

PTs and PTAs are vital to the medical world and our life. We all need vacations, they may not always happen on assignments--however needed treatment or 'work' does.

We will be rolling out a new campaign that is different. To be released in first half of 2009. If any provider would wish to learn more and provide some insight, please contact me directly.

[Beer and Burgers]

no soda for you chubby

[Marilyn]

Well that's how the travel companies pitch to everyone in the health profession, I know I worked for one of the biggest in the past. It seems to me that they are just out of touch with why travel assignments are taken. I've had PT's contact me for work in a specific state because the first grandchild is on the way,or a hospital or clinic has a new therapy and they would like to learn more and also just to expand their therapy knowledge by working in a different setting. Bottom line show the profession the respect it deserves and most of us in healthcare are in it to help our patients and we did not choose this just for the financial rewards.

[Fastest Way to Lose Weight]

Is adding "just kidding" at the end supposed to make the comment somehow better? I agree with therapist, its still rude and arrogant.

Cindia Chambers

[kamagra]

The sun is very important for our planet but we have to be careful the the burns that the sun can produce.

[JT]

I recently visited a well respected PT clinic for assistance with my injury. My first encounter is with the front desk staff, two extremely overweight young women. I am slightly surprised by this but let it go. A few moments later three more staff members come into the waiting room to call on their patients, and I am stunned. ALL three of the PT are not simply fat but obese. I watched the reaction of one patient as her PT calls her name, the look on the patients face is one of confusion, surprise and then concern. I was there to see a PA and he too was fantastically overweight with a huge belly. The man can not see his own toes and I am positive can not bend over to touch them. I do not know how an overweight person is going to instruct me on the proper way to perform particular exercise. How on earth will he or she demonstrate proper form when they themselves are physically incapable of performing the most basic of movements. Let me repeat, some of these PT are not just a little overweight but stunningly obese. I injured myself working out, I over did it... but somehow a women weighing 250 pounds is going to show me how to prevent injury. The PA had the audacity to state that the PT will instruct me on "core" strengthening.. I had to bite my tongue as not to laugh out loud. I have a defined mid section, yet the PT who weighs 250lbs and whom I watched consume a cup of creamer with a drop of coffee is going to instruct me on core strengthening. If this is the face of PT I am not only concerned but outraged after all I am spending my hard earned money on this service. There must be some standard that the industry abides by or else it is quickly becoming a joke.

[A "fat" PTA]

These comments are absolutely absurd. Many MDs, RNs, PTs, and PTAs smoke, are overweight, and have poor diets. One's personal lifestyle does not render them unable to educate a patient on what is appopriate for them, the patient. BTW, there are alternatives for those who may be overweight or obese and many of them. Fataphobic assholes are incurable. How sad.

[Research before judging]

I would recommend you read the work by Steve Blair. There are some people who are fat and fit. I'm an obese PT after 8 surgeries and medications to reduce my cancer risk. However, I run 10Ks and I'm currently training for a half marathon. Ask about the book before you just read the cover. I'm sorry you couldn't hear the message because of the package. Oh, I forgot to say this that this fat PT is NIH funded and holds a PhD. Since 68% of the population is obese or overweight, I've tried to use my weight struggles as a way to relate to my patients as we work to improve ourselves together.

[Whatinthworld?]

Being overweight does not mean that one is not intelligent or capable of instructing a patient on proper therapeutic techniques. This is outright discrimination against the obese population and it's uncalled for. If your therapist was a twig and anorexic, would you have the same reaction or empathy, or better yet no reaction at all? This is just ridiculous.