scholarly journals Simulation Experience Enhances Physical Therapist Student Confidence in Managing a Patient in the Critical Care Environment

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia J. Ohtake ◽  
Marcilene Lazarus ◽  
Rebecca Schillo ◽  
Michael Rosen
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Care Environment ◽  
Skill Performance ◽  
Physical Therapist Students ◽  
Physical Therapist Student ◽  
Student Confidence

Background Rehabilitation of patients in critical care environments improves functional outcomes. This finding has led to increased implementation of intensive care unit (ICU) rehabilitation programs, including early mobility, and an associated increased demand for physical therapists practicing in ICUs. Unfortunately, many physical therapists report being inadequately prepared to work in this high-risk environment. Simulation provides focused, deliberate practice in safe, controlled learning environments and may be a method to initiate academic preparation of physical therapists for ICU practice. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of participation in simulation-based management of a patient with critical illness in an ICU setting on levels of confidence and satisfaction in physical therapist students. Design A one-group, pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental design was used. Methods Physical therapist students (N=43) participated in a critical care simulation experience requiring technical (assessing bed mobility and pulmonary status), behavioral (patient and interprofessional communication), and cognitive (recognizing a patient status change and initiating appropriate responses) skill performance. Student confidence and satisfaction were surveyed before and after the simulation experience. Results Students' confidence in their technical, behavioral, and cognitive skill performance increased from “somewhat confident” to “confident” following the critical care simulation experience. Student satisfaction was highly positive, with strong agreement the simulation experience was valuable, reinforced course content, and was a useful educational tool. Limitations Limitations of the study were the small sample from one university and a control group was not included. Conclusions Incorporating a simulated, interprofessional critical care experience into a required clinical course improved physical therapist student confidence in technical, behavioral, and cognitive performance measures and was associated with high student satisfaction. Using simulation, students were introduced to the critical care environment, which may increase interest in working in this practice area.

scholarly journals Understanding the Relationship Between Physical Therapist Participation in Interdisciplinary Rounds and Hospital Readmission Rates: Preliminary Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (11) ◽  
pp. 1705-1713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Kadivar ◽  
Alexis English ◽  
Brian D. Marx
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Discharge Process ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Medical Diagnoses ◽  
Discharge Disposition ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Providing patients with optimal discharge disposition and follow-up services could prevent unplanned readmissions. Despite their qualifications, physical therapists are rarely represented on the interdisciplinary team. Objective This study aimed to determine the relationship between the participation of physical therapists in interdisciplinary discharge rounds and readmission rates. Methods In this retrospective observational study, patients discharged by 2 interdisciplinary teams with or without a physical therapist's participation were followed for 5 months. Adherence to the physical therapist's recommendations for follow-up services and unplanned 30-day readmissions were tracked. Multiple logistic regression and random forest models were used to determine factors contributing to 30-day readmission rates. Results The odds of 30-day readmissions were 3.78 times greater when a physical therapist was absent from the interdisciplinary team compared with the odds of 30-day readmissions when a physical therapist participated in the interdisciplinary team. In addition, the odds of 30-day readmission for patients discharged to their home were 2.47 times greater than those who were not discharged to their home. An increased lack of postdischarge services was noted when a physical therapist was not included in the interdisciplinary team. Limitations The nonrandom selection of patients into groups, the small sample size, and the inability to adjust risk for unknown factors (eg, medical diagnoses, comorbidities, funding, and functional measures) limited interpretation of the results. Conclusion Significantly higher readmission rates were noted for patients whose interdisciplinary team did not have a physical therapist and for those patients who were discharged to their home. These preliminary findings suggest that discharge from the acute care setting is an elaborate process and should be designed carefully. In order to identify the optimal discharge process, future research should account for patient complexities in addition to the composition of the interdisciplinary discharge team.

scholarly journals Reaching the Masses: Physical Therapist Students Learn to Use YouTube to Share Clinical Information with Patients and the Public

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Moore
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Clinical Skill ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Physical Therapist Students ◽  
Educational Videos ◽  
Students Attitudes

Purposes: This pilot study (1) assessed physical therapist students’ attitudes toward using YouTube to share health-related videos on the Internet, and (2) determined whether a cohort of physical therapist students would use YouTube, or similar technologies, to share educational information with other health care providers and health care consumers once they enter practice. Methods: A cohort of 28-second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students completed a project to produce and share educational videos on YouTube. Students, working in small groups, selected a clinical skill introduced and practiced during the Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy course as the focus of their videos. A survey completed at the conclusion of the project collected data about students’ attitudes and experiences regarding the use of YouTube. Results: Tabulation of students’ responses revealed that 85% of the students enjoyed making videos and 96% of the students felt that physical therapists should share physical therapy-related information with the largest possible audience. Nineteen percent of the students reported that they are likely to share additional videos online. Conclusion:YouTube and other online video sites allow physical therapists to reach a large audience of people interested in the services and education they provide. However, some students may be reluctant to take advantage of this relatively new technology. Future research may focus on the relationship between the obligation students feel to produce educational videos and their reported reluctance to produce educational videos once they enter clinical practice.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Career Expectations of Physical Therapist Students

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (9) ◽  
pp. 1199-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie A Johanson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
First Year ◽  
Career Expectations ◽  
Professional Journals ◽  
Physical Therapist Education ◽  
Physical Therapist Students ◽  
Therapist Education

Background and Purpose: There are some sex differences in the career activities of physical therapists. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these sex differences are reflected in the career expectations of physical therapist students.Subjects: Participants were 919 physical therapist students.Methods: Faculty at 34 physical therapist education programs distributed questionnaires to 1,172 of their students. The 919 returned questionnaires generated a response rate of 78.4%. Sex differences in career expectations were statistically analyzed with logistic regression.Results: Men showed statistically significantly higher odds than women of expecting to own a private practice, to become a faculty member, to become a physical therapist manager or administrator, to publish articles in professional journals, and to have a higher income in the first year of employment.Discussion and Conclusion: At the outset of physical therapist education, there are sex differences in the career expectations of physical therapist students.

scholarly journals Navicular Drop Measurement in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Interrater and Intrarater Reliability

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (7) ◽  
pp. 656-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A Shrader ◽  
John M Popovich ◽  
G Chris Gracey ◽  
Jerome V Danoff
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Afternoon Session ◽  
Intrarater Reliability ◽  
Navicular Drop ◽  
Physical Therapist Student ◽  
And Function

Abstract Background and Purpose. Navicular drop (ND) measurement may be a valuable examination technique for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, no data exist on reliability for this technique in patients with RA. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine interrater and intrarater reliability of ND measurements in people with RA, (2) to compare ND values of people with RA with published normative data, and (3) to investigate ND measurement error associated with the use of skin markings. Subjects. Ten women (20 feet) with RA consented to participate. Methods. Patients completed demographic and function questionnaires. Navicular height (NH) measurements were taken by 2 physical therapists and 1 physical therapist student, following four 1-hour training sessions, using standardized methods and a digital height gauge. Four different NH measurements were taken 3 times on each foot by each of the 3 examiners during a morning session and then repeated during an afternoon session on the same day. Navicular drop values were calculated, including ND1 (as reported in the literature), ND2 (compensating for skin error), and ND3 (single-limb stance). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard errors of measurement (SEMs) were used to establish reliability. Results. Means (±SD) for each ND measure for sessions 1 and 2, respectively, were as follows: ND1=8.36±5.29 mm and 8.29±5.24 mm, ND2=9.95±5.44 mm and 9.57±5.37 mm. The ICCs (2,1 and 2,k, respectively) for all interrater measurements ranged from .67 to .92 (SEM=2.0–3.3 mm) and from .85 to .97 (SEM=1.1–2.0 mm). The ICCs (2,1 and 2,k, respectively) for intrarater measurements ranged from .73 to .95 (SEM=1.3–2.8 mm) and from .90 to .98 (SEM=0.7–1.6 mm). Paired t tests showed the means of ND1 and ND2 for each examiner and for both sessions were significantly different. Discussion and Conclusion. The results suggest that ND measurements for people with RA can be taken reliably by clinicians with varied experience. The ND values for our subjects were slightly greater than reported normal values of 6 to 8 mm. Error associated with skin markings was statistically significant for all sessions and examiners.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Promotion in the Physical Therapy Setting: Perspectives From Practitioners and Students

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1311-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Shirley ◽  
Hidde P. van der Ploeg ◽  
Adrian E. Bauman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Counseling Practice ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Physical Therapist Students

Background Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic disease. Primary health care practitioners are well placed to promote a physically active lifestyle. The perceptions and practice of physical therapists on their role in physical activity promotion are not well known. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, confidence, role perception, barriers, feasibility, and counseling practice of physical therapists and physical therapist students regarding the promotion of nontreatment physical activity for better health. Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Methods In 2008, 321 (54%) of a random sample of all physical therapists registered in New South Wales, Australia, responded to a survey on their knowledge, confidence, role perception, barriers, feasibility, and counseling practice with regard to promoting a physically active lifestyles to their patients. Physical therapist students (n=279) completed the same survey but without the questions on barriers and counseling practice. Results Physical therapists and physical therapist students consider that it is part of their role to give their patients nontreatment physical activity advice. Overall, they reported having adequate knowledge and skills to undertake this role. Incorporating advice into normal consultations is deemed the most feasible form of lifestyle physical activity promotion in physical therapist practice. Limitations The cross-sectional nature of this study makes it difficult to determine cause and effect relationships. Some selection bias may have occurred, as the physical therapists who completed the questionnaires may have been those most interested in physical activity promotion. Conclusions Physical therapist practice appears to be an excellent avenue for promoting a physically active lifestyle and could potentially play an important public health role.

scholarly journals Personal Health Behaviors and Role-Modeling Attitudes of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 1419-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Black ◽  
Beth C. Marcoux ◽  
Christine Stiller ◽  
Xianggui Qu ◽  
Ronald Gellish
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Role Modeling ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Therapist Students ◽  
And Behaviors

BackgroundPhysical therapists have been encouraged to engage in health promotion practice. Health professionals who engage in healthy behaviors themselves are more apt to recommend those behaviors, and patients are more motivated to change their behaviors when their health care provider is a credible role model.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe the health behaviors and role-modeling attitudes of physical therapists and physical therapist students.DesignThis study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey.MethodsA national sample of 405 physical therapists and 329 physical therapist students participated in the survey. Participants' attitudes toward role modeling and behaviors related to physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, abstention from smoking, and maintenance of a healthy weight were measured. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to examine differences in attitudes and behaviors between physical therapists and physical therapist students.ResultsA majority of the participants reported that they engage in regular physical activity (80.8%), eat fruits and vegetables (60.3%), do not smoke (99.4%), and maintain a healthy weight (78.7%). Although there were no differences in behaviors, physical therapist students were more likely to believe that role modeling is a powerful teaching tool, physical therapist professionals should “practice what they preach,” physical activity is a desirable behavior, and physical therapist professionals should be role models for nonsmoking and maintaining a healthy weight.LimitationsLimitations of this study include the potential for response bias and social desirability bias.ConclusionsPhysical therapists and physical therapist students engage in health-promoting behaviors at similarly high rates but differ in role-modeling attitudes.

scholarly journals National Profile of Physical Therapists in Critical Care Units of Sri Lanka: Lower Middle-Income Country

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 933-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ponsuge Chathurani Sigera ◽  
Tunpattu Mudiyanselage Upul Sanjeewa Tunpattu ◽  
Thambawitage Pasan Jayashantha ◽  
Ambepitiyawaduge Pubudu De Silva ◽  
Priyantha Lakmini Athapattu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Middle Income Country ◽  
Income Country ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Critical Care Units

Abstract Background The availability and role of physical therapists in critical care is variable in resource-poor settings, including lower middle-income countries. Objective The aim of this study was to determine: (1) the availability of critical care physical therapist services, (2) the equipment and techniques used and needed, and (3) the training and continuous professional development of physical therapists. Methods All physical therapists working in critical care units (CCUs) of state hospitals in Sri Lanka were contacted. The study tool used was an interviewer-administered telephone questionnaire. Results The response rate was 100% (N=213). Sixty-one percent of the physical therapists were men. Ninety-four percent of the respondents were at least diploma holders in physical therapy, and 6% had non–physical therapy degrees. Most (n=145, 68%) had engaged in some continuous professional development in the past year. The majority (n=119, 56%) attended to patients after referral from medical staff. Seventy-seven percent, 98%, and 96% worked at nights, on weekends, and on public holidays, respectively. Physical therapists commonly perform manual hyperinflation, breathing exercises, manual airway clearance techniques, limb exercises, mobilization, positioning, and postural drainage in the CCUs. Lack of specialist training, lack of adequate physical therapy staff numbers, a heavy workload, and perceived lack of infection control in CCUs were the main difficulties they identified. Limitations Details on the proportions of time spent by the physical therapists in the CCUs, wards, or medical departments were not collected. Conclusions The availability of physical therapist services in CCUs in Sri Lanka, a lower middle-income country, was comparable to that in high-income countries, as per available literature, in terms of service availability and staffing, although the density of physical therapists remained very low, critical care training was limited, and resource limitations to physical therapy practices were evident.

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