scholarly journals Is there an agreement among the items of the Korean physical therapist licensing examination, learning objectives of class subjects, and physical therapists’ job descriptions?

Author(s):  
Min-Hyeok Kang ◽  
Oh-Yun Kwon ◽  
Yong-Wook Kim ◽  
Ji-Won Kim ◽  
Tae-Ho Kim ◽  
...  

Purpose: To determine the agreement among the items of the Korean physical therapist licensing examination, learning objectives of class subjects, and physical therapists’ job descriptions. Methods: The main tasks of physical therapists were classified, and university courses related to the main tasks were also classified. Frequency analysis was used to determine the proportions of credits for the classified courses out of the total credits of major subjects, exam items related to the classified courses out of the total number of exam items, and universities that offer courses related to the Korean physical therapist licensing examination among the surveyed universities. Results: The proportions of credits for clinical decision making and physical therapy diagnosis-related courses out of the total number credits for major subjects at universities were relatively low (2.06% and 2.58%, respectively). Although the main tasks of physical therapists are related to diagnosis and evaluation, the proportion of physiotherapy intervention-related items (35%) was higher than that of examination and evaluation-related items (25%) on the Korean physical therapist licensing examination. The percentages of universities that offer physical therapy diagnosis and clinical decision making-related courses were 58.62% and 68.97%, respectively.Conclusion: Both the proportion of physiotherapy diagnosis and evaluation-related items on the Korean physical therapist licensing examination, and the number of subjects related to clinical decision making and physical therapy diagnosis in the physical therapy curriculum, should be increased to ensure that the examination items and physical therapy curriculum reflect the practical tasks of physical therapists.

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Flannery Wainwright ◽  
Katherine F. Shepard ◽  
Laurinda B. Harman ◽  
James Stephens

Background Prior experience informs clinical decision making and shapes how reflection is used by novice and experienced physical therapist clinicians. Objectives The aims of this research were: (1) to determine the types and extent of reflection that informs the clinical decision-making process and (2) to compare the use of reflection to direct and assess clinical decisions made by novice and experienced physical therapists. Design Qualitative research methods using grounded theory were used to gain insight into how physical therapists use reflection to inform clinical decision making. Methods Three participant pairs (each pair consisting of one novice and one experienced physical therapist) were purposively selected from 3 inpatient rehabilitation settings. Case summaries of each participant provided the basis for within- and across-case analysis. Credibility of these results was established through member check of the case summaries, presentation of low-inference data, and triangulation across multiple data sources and within and across the participant groups. Results Although all participants engaged in reflection-on-action, the experienced participants did so with greater frequency. The experienced participants were distinguished by their use of reflection-in-action and self-assessment during therapist-patient interactions. An intermediate effect beyond novice practice was observed. Conclusions The results of this study may be used by educators and employers to develop and structure learning experiences and mentoring opportunities to facilitate clinical decision-making abilities and the development of the skills necessary for reflection in students and novice practitioners.


2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Flannery Wainwright ◽  
Katherine F. Shepard ◽  
Laurinda B. Harman ◽  
James Stephens

Background The depth and breadth of prior experience informs clinical decision making in novice and experienced physical therapist clinicians. Objectives The aims of this research were to identify differences in clinical decision-making abilities and processes between novice and experienced physical therapist clinicians and to develop a model of the factors that influence clinical decision making. Design Qualitative research methods and grounded theory were used to gain insight into the factors and experiences that inform clinical decision making. Methods Three participant pairs (each pair consisted of 1 novice physical therapist and 1 experienced physical therapist) were purposively selected from 3 inpatient rehabilitation settings. Case summaries from each participant provided the basis for within- and across-case analyses. The credibility of the results was established through checking of the case summaries by the participants, presentation of low-inference data, and triangulation across multiple data sources and within and across participant groups. Results The factors that influenced clinical decision making were categorized as informative or directive. Novice participants relied more on informative factors, whereas experienced participants were more likely to rely on directive factors. An intermediate effect beyond novice practice was observed. Conclusions The results of this study may be used by educators and employers to develop and structure learning experiences and mentoring opportunities for students and novice learners with the aim of facilitating the development of skills and abilities consistent with expert clinical decision making.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-43
Author(s):  
Michael J Shoemaker ◽  
Konrad J Dias ◽  
Kristin M Lefebvre ◽  
John D Heick ◽  
Sean M Collins

Abstract The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), in conjunction with the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section of APTA, have commissioned the development of this clinical practice guideline to assist physical therapists in their clinical decision making when managing patients with heart failure. Physical therapists treat patients with varying degrees of impairments and limitations in activity and participation associated with heart failure pathology across the continuum of care. This document will guide physical therapist practice in the examination and treatment of patients with a known diagnosis of heart failure. The development of this clinical practice guideline followed a structured process and resulted in 9 key action statements to guide physical therapist practice. The level and quality of available evidence were graded based on specific criteria to determine the strength of each action statement. Clinical algorithms were developed to guide the physical therapist in appropriate clinical decision making. Physical therapists are encouraged to work collaboratively with other members of the health care team in implementing these action statements to improve the activity, participation, and quality of life in individuals with heart failure and reduce the incidence of heart failure-related re-admissions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor A Lentz ◽  
Adam P Goode ◽  
Charles A Thigpen ◽  
Steven Z George

Abstract Early physical therapy models hold great promise for delivering high-value care for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. However, existing physical therapist practice and research standards are misaligned with value-based principles, which limits the potential for growth and sustainability of these models. This Perspective describes how the value proposition of early physical therapy can be improved by redefining harm, embracing a prognostic approach to clinical decision making, and advocating for system-wide guideline-adherent pain care. It also outlines the need to adopt a common language to describe these models and embrace new, rigorous study designs and analytical approaches to better understand where and how early physical therapy delivers value. The goal is to define a clear path forward to ensure physical therapists are aligned within health care systems to deliver on the American Physical Therapy Association’s vision of high-value care in a rapidly changing health care environment.


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 820-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica E Busse ◽  
Hanan Khalil ◽  
Lori Quinn ◽  
Anne E Rosser

Background and PurposeThe clinical symptoms of Huntington disease (HD) include progressive movement disorders, cognitive deficits, and behavioral changes, all of which affect an individual's ability to participate in activities of daily living. To date, very few quantitative or qualitative studies have been conducted to guide physical therapists working with people with HD. The objective of this study was to characterize current physical therapist practice for people with HD, thus informing the development of standardized clinical care and future research studies.Subjects and MethodsConsultation with physical therapists working with people with HD was undertaken in the form of mailed questionnaires (n=49) and semistructured interviews (n=8). The development of the interview schedule was aided by consideration of the data obtained from the questionnaires. Themes identified from the interviews were considered in light of published literature and questionnaire responses.ResultsThe main issues that emerged from the interviews were classified into 3 subthemes: (1) there is insufficient use of routine physical therapy–related outcome measures at different stages of HD, (2) there is underutilization of physical therapy services in managing HD (particularly in the early stages), and (3) the management of falls and mobility deficit progression is a key treatment aim for people with HD.Discussion and ConclusionA conceptual framework for physical therapy intervention in HD was developed on the basis of the themes that emerged from the data in this study. Such a framework has utility for complex, progressive conditions such as HD and may facilitate clinical decision making and standardization of practice and affect the development of future physical therapy trials.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-174
Author(s):  
Mohini Rawat ◽  
Dimitrios Kostopoulos ◽  
Konstantine Rizopoulos ◽  
William Dodson ◽  
Kathy Blair ◽  
...  

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