scholarly journals Modifiable variables in physical therapy education programs associated with first-time and three-year National Physical Therapy Examination pass rates in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad Cook ◽  
Chalee Engelhard ◽  
Michel D. Landry ◽  
Christine McCallum
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Time Pass ◽  
Physical Therapy Programs ◽  
Therapy Education ◽  
First Time

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the modifiable programmatic characteristics reflected in the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Annual Accreditation Report for all accredited programs that reported pass rates on the National Physical Therapist Examination, and to build a predictive model for first-time and three-year ultimate pass rates. Methods: This observational study analyzed programmatic information from the 185 CAPTE-accredited physical therapy programs in the United States and Puerto Rico out of a total of 193 programs that provided the first-time and three-year ultimate pass rates in 2011. Fourteen predictive variables representing student selection and composition, clinical education length and design, and general program length and design were analyzed against first-time pass rates and ultimate pass rates on the NPTE. Univariate and multivariate multinomial regression analysis for first-time pass rates and logistic regression analysis for three-year ultimate pass rates were performed. Results: The variables associated with the first-time pass rate in the multivariate analysis were the mean undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and the average age of the cohort. Multivariate analysis showed that mean undergraduate GPA was associated with the three-year ultimate pass rate. Conclusions: Mean undergraduate GPA was found to be the only modifiable predictor for both first-time and three-year pass rates among CAPTE-accredited physical therapy programs.

scholarly journals A Description of Current Curricular Design Models Used In Physical Therapy Clinical Education and Their Relationship to Pass Rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chalee Engelhard ◽  
Christine McCallum
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Cycle Period ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
First Time

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to develop descriptions and identify commonalities of current clinical education models used in physical therapy programs; then, using this information, to examine differences in first-time and ultimate pass rates among the derived formula from Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited programs in 2011-2013. Methods. This mixed methods study captured qualitative and quantitative data from the 204 PT programs located in the United States and Puerto Rico from 2011 to 2013. The data were coded into 11 different clinical education models which represented all programs. The models were then linked to first time and ultimate pass rates. Results. Twenty out of 204 (9.8%) PT programs reported first-time pass rates and 201/204 (98.5%) reported ultimate pass rates in the cited three-year cycle period stated in this study. The three most commonly occurring models make up 84% of all current existing models. All three frequently occurring models include both full time and clinical internship clinical experiences. Additionally, these models outperformed the national pass rate average by at least 3%. Conclusions. Our results are the first to provide an analysis of the various models in use in physical therapist education, as well as a preliminary outlook on how clinical education design is matched against a program’s pass rate on the national exam. Since pass rate is one of the few standardized, modifiable outcomes for CAPTE approved programs, it was selected as the outcome to allow comparison of clinical education models. One of the driving forces behind this study was to illustrate clearly the tremendous variety of clinical education models and a better understanding of the scope of the variances that is occurring.

scholarly journals The National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination's First Time Pass Rates and Their Relationship to Education Program Faculty Attributes

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malorie Novak ◽  
Dawn Brown-Cross ◽  
John Echternach
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Time Pass ◽  
Years Of Teaching Experience ◽  
Terminal Degree ◽  
First Time ◽  
Time Faculty

Background and Purpose. There is a paucity of published literature regarding the correlation between faculty attributes and education program pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) particularly regarding the physical therapist assistant (PTA). The purpose of this study was to 1) determine if there is a relationship between faculty attributes in PTA educational programs and program outcomes on the NPTE for Physical Therapist Assistants (NPTE-PTA) and 2) construct a prediction model for PTA program outcomes based on faculty attributes. Subjects. The 233United States’ PTA programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in 2006 were studied. Methods. Using a retrospective design, data were obtained regarding the PTA programs from the dataset of CAPTE’s PTA annual accreditation report and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy’s pass rate database. Selected faculty attributes (designation of highest degree conferred, years of teaching experience, employment status, license designation [physical therapist or physical therapist assistant] and clinical specialization) were correlated to first time program pass rates. Backward deletion regression was used to predict the first time pass rate on the NPTE-PTA.Results. Based on data from 190/233 PTA programs, seven attributes had a statistically significant relationship to the outcomes on the NPTE-PTA. They were the number of: 1) full-time faculty; 2) adjunct faculty with an associate’s degree; 3) full-time faculty with a terminal degree; 4) core faculty with a terminal degree; 5) all faculty with a terminal degree 6) years of teaching experience of the full-time faculty; 7) years of teaching experience of the core faculty. Backward deletion regression analyses demonstrated an overall model of two combined predictor factors (full-time faculty years of teaching and full-time faculty terminal degree) that significantly predicted the first time pass rate on the NPTE-PTAaccounting for 6.5% of the variance. Discussion and Conclusion. Faculty attributes of the institutions providing PTAprograms are associated with first time pass rates of their graduates. This study provides a foundation for future studies by identifying some of the faculty attributes that relate to NPTE-PTA outcomes.

We Don’t Know our Own Strength: A Survey of Strength Training Attitudes, Behaviors and Knowledge in Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed Handlery ◽  
Emma Shover ◽  
Thavi Chhoun ◽  
Lauren Durant ◽  
Kaci Handlery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Strength Training ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical Therapy Students ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Education Participation ◽  
Therapy Education

Abstract Objective Strength training is frequently utilized by physical therapists; however, there has been discussion about whether physical therapists utilize strength training adequately. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the strength training attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge of physical therapists and physical therapy students and to determine how participant characteristics influenced knowledge scores. Methods An anonymous survey was created in 3 rounds. For round 1, researchers used textbooks to create items assessing demographics, attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding strength training. Rounds 2 and 3 consisted of feedback from 7 content experts until 80% consensus was reached; items were added, removed, or edited based on feedback. The final survey was distributed through social media, list servs, and email, targeting physical therapists and students based in the United States. Response frequencies for all items were reported. Overall knowledge scores were calculated by summing correct responses for each item, with a maximum score of 13; scores <70% were considered low. Binomial logistic regression determined which characteristics (demographics, attitudes, or behaviors) influenced whether participants adequately utilized strength training principles (scored ≥70% on knowledge items). Results There were 777 physical therapist and 648 student participants. Nearly 90% of therapists and students reported frequently prescribing strength training. Over 48% of therapists felt their professional education did not prepare them to apply strength training (compared with 24% of students), and 68% believed that strength training is inadequately applied in physical therapy (compared with 40% of students). Sixty-two percent of therapists and 55% of students scored ≥70% for knowledge items. Additional strength training education and regular participation in strength training increased the odds of scoring ≥70% on knowledge items. Conclusions Physical therapists and physical therapy students frequently prescribe strength training, despite similarly low knowledge scores. To increase knowledge, greater emphasis on strength training in professional education, continuing education, participation in strength training, or all 3 is warranted. Impact Strength training is an important intervention used in physical therapy and must be used appropriately to improve the health of patients. According to these findings, strength training education may not currently be optimal, as demonstrated by low knowledge scores by both therapists and students. Further work is needed to determine how knowledge of strength training relates to patient outcomes and also how best to implement strength training in physical therapy education and practice.

scholarly journals Preadmission predictors of graduation success from a physical therapy education program in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Gretchen Roman ◽  
Matthew Paul Buman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
The United States ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Graduate Record Examination ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Graduation Success ◽  
Therapy Education

Purpose: The field of physical therapy education is seeking an evidence-based approach for admitting qualified applicants, as previous research has assessed various outcomes, impeding practical application. This study was conducted to identify preadmission criteria predictive of graduation success. Methods: Data from the 2013–2016 graduating cohorts (n=149) were collected. Predictors included verbal Graduate Record Examination rank percentile (VGRE%), quantitative GRE rank percentile, and analytical GRE rank percentile, the admissions interview, precumulative science grade point average (SGPA), precumulative grade point average (UGPA), and a reflective essay. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and grade point average at the time of graduation (GGPA) were used as measures of graduation success. Two separate mixed-effects models determined the associations of preadmission predictors with NPTE performance and GGPA. Results: The NPTE model fit comparison showed significant results (degrees of freedom [df]=10, P=0.001), decreasing within-cohort variance by 59.5%. NPTE performance were associated with GGPA (β=125.21, P=0.001), and VGRE%, the interview, the essay, and GGPA (P≤0.001) impacted the model fit. The GGPA model fit comparison did not show significant results (df=8, P=0.56), decreasing within-cohort variance by 16.4%. The GGPA was associated with the interview (β=0.02, P=0.04) and UGPA (β=0.25, P=0.04), and VGRE%, the interview, UGPA, and the essay (P≤0.02) impacted model fit. Conclusion: In our findings, GGPA predicted NPTE performance, and the interview and UGPA predicted GGPA. Unlike past evidence, SGPA showed no predictive power. The essay and VGRE% warrant attention because of their influence on model fit. We recommend that admissions ranking matrices place a greater weight on the interview, UGPA, VGRE%, and essay.

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