Education Commons^™

Flop To Flip: Integrating Technology And Team-Based Learning To Improve Student Engagement, Diana A. Veneri, Elizabeth M. Mongillo

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The first attempt to develop and instruct a new course in evidence-based practice in a physical therapy curriculum proved problematic. The purpose of this paper is to describe the method of revising this traditionally taught course using a combination of flipping the classroom, team-based learning, and technology. Methods: Working with an Instructional Design Specialist, a weekly online preparatory module was created for each content topic using a variety of multimedia learning provisions including micro learning videos (PowerPoint with voiceover), transcript of the PowerPoint, a list of vocabulary words, reading, Quizlet, Flipgrids and Concept Checks. Each week’s module was introduced …

The Effect Of Case Presentation On Student Physical Therapists' Clinical Reasoning Hypotheses, Nicholas Larosa, Daniel L. Dinsmore

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical reasoning is an essential skill for Physical Therapists to develop for making sound decisions regarding patient care. Case-method teaching is an instructional strategy commonly implemented in physical therapy professional education programs for facilitating clinical reasoning skill acquisition. One advantage of case-method teaching is the various ways cases can be portrayed. The purpose of this study was to identify how a case is portrayed effects student thinking and their subsequent clinical decision making. Method: Third-year student physical therapists (n = 14) working in dyads clinically reasoned through a hypothetical musculoskeletal case presented via written case study or simulated patient …

A Pilot Study Using Asynchronous Case Discussion And Reflection To Provide Interprofessional Education To Physician Assistant And Physical Therapy Students, Erin Mccallister, Emily Weidman-Evans

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects an asynchronous interprofessional education (IPE) activity had on graduate healthcare students’ beliefs regarding IPE, as measured by the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). Methods: All first-year physician assistant and physical therapy students participated in a collaborative four-week online case discussion. Students who consented to participate in the research component filled out a pre- and post-activity RIPLS questionnaire. Responses were matched by an individualized, student-generated number to protect students’ identity. Only matched scores were analyzed. Results: The total score as well as the Teamwork and Professional Identity …

Mentorship Experiences Of Doctoral Students: Understanding Desired Attributes Of Doctoral Student Mentors, Stephanie M. Singe, Lauren Sheldon, Kelsey Rynkiewicz, Ciara Manning, Erica Filep, Emma Zuk, Caitliin Hargrave

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Mentorship is a critical aspect of the professional development of the doctoral student who wishes to pursue a role in higher education. Continued understanding is needed regarding the needs of the doctoral student when it comes to mentorship. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the needs of a doctoral student from their mentoring relationships, as they work towards their terminal degree. Methods: This is a descriptive, phenomenological qualitative research study within universities that offer doctoral education. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted using Zoom video conference technology. Each interview, after transcribed, was analyzed following the step-wise approach …

“Where I Am Weak, They Are Strong”: Students’ Perceptions And Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Education, Christen G. Page, Karina Christopher, Leah Shea Simpkins, Casey E. Humphrey, Lisa G. Jones, Aaron D. Sciascia

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Healthcare professionals strive for interprofessional practice to achieve optimal patient care. Extant research suggests that to best prepare students for interprofessional practice, interprofessional education (IPE) should be a key element in curriculum. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to evaluate the impact of an IPE activity on participants’ attitudes and perceptions of IPE across five academic programs. Methods: This study utilized a modified version of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale Questionnaire (RIPLS) pre and post IPE and reflective essays. Participants included 67 students from nursing, occupational therapy, athletic training, dietetics, and speech-language pathology programs. After reviewing a …

Students’ Response To The Covid-19 Remote Learning Transition, Sandra Dunbar-Smalley, Roy Lukman, Joe Hawkins

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: The global pandemic has created a need for several higher education institutions to transition to emergency remote learning. Students and faculty have experienced a significant disruption to their daily academic routines. It is critical to understand the perceptions of students in relationship to their learning experiences and ability to effectively manage the new and changing learning environment and expectations. This study sought to understand the students’ response to the transition to remote learning, as a necessary strategy for managing learning during the pandemic. Methods: A 15-item electronic survey was provided to approximately 1600 students at a private faith-based university …

Addressing Health-Related Myths In The Culturally Diverse African American Population: A Call To Action, Lucson Joseph

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

African Americans (AAs) experience numerous challenges that socially, economically, and physically affect their communities. Recent studies have found that a diverse array AAs encounter many struggles as they navigate the United States (U.S.) healthcare system to access care and receive healthcare services. AA communities are significantly affected by the burden of chronic diseases. They face considerable barriers to healthcare services that contribute to adverse health outcomes. This paper explains the daily struggles many AAs face within their communities to access and navigate the healthcare system due to culturally held myths and barriers. This paper discusses commonly held myths among Afro-Caribbean …

The Allied Health Work Readiness Study: Identifying Personal Characteristics Signalling Work Readiness In Allied Health Students, Maxine O'Brien, Kelli Troy, Jayne Kirkpatrick

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical placements associated with university degrees for the allied health professions aim to support the preparation of students for post graduate employment through the practical application of theoretical constructs. However, employers recognise that a range of generic skills and attributes outside of technical and academic achievement impact of work readiness. Allied health clinical educators within Darling Downs Health (DDH) sought to identify these generic characteristics, and their relative importance, with a view to further supporting the work readiness of students completing placements in the district. Method: The study utilised the knowledge and experience of allied health clinical educators, experienced …

Changing Weight Management Self-Efficacy Among Obese Puerto Rican Adults: A Quantitative Study Using A Health Coaching Intervention, Richard Valentin Ayala, Josh Bernstein

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Obesity and associated healthcare-related issues continue to increase. The prevalence of obesity is on the rise, which has led many health professionals to find ways to improve health interventions. Health coaching can be a viable tool to reduce the obesity epidemic. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the effects of an 8-weekhealth coaching intervention in obese individuals from Puerto Rico and to determine if self-esteem and body image influence weight managementself-efficacy. Method: A pretest-posttest design using a weight management self-efficacy scale helped the researcher evaluate the effectof the coaching sessions. In addition, body image …

Athletic Training And Physical Therapy Junior Faculty Member Preparation: Perceptions Of Doctoral Programs And Clinical Practice, Jessica L. Barrett, Stephanie M. Singe, Aynsley Diamond

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Institutions of higher education suffer from a shortage of appropriately prepared faculty members in athletic training and physical therapy programs. Both professional programs have recently undergone curricular reform and degree change. We sought gain an understanding of the preparation mechanisms experienced by athletic training and physical therapy practitioners for their junior faculty positions. Method: Twenty-six athletic trainers and physical therapists participated in this phenomenological study. Data from one-on-one phone interviews were analyzed following the inductive process of interpretive phenomenological analysis. Content experts, pilot interviews, multiple analysts and member checking ensured trustworthiness. Results: Findings indicate two primary mechanisms prepared the …

Global Interest For Health Professions Education: A Geographic And Temporal Analyses Through Web Search Differences From 2010-2019, Junhel Dalanon, Yoshizo Matsuka

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatio-temporal differences in web search trends for dental degrees (DD), medical degrees (MD), and nursing degrees (ND) across 197 countries from 2010 to 2019. Method: A search string was used to initiate a search query using Google Trends. The parameters used were DD, MD, and ND as search terms; worldwide as Location; 2010 to 2019 as time range; health education & medical training as category; and web search as database. Data were downloaded and analyzed. Results: Via one-way ANOVA and post hoc Dunnett test, the searches for DD were found …

Survey Of Attitudes, Knowledge, And Barriers To Evidence-Based Practice Among Thai Physical Therapists, Mantana Vongsirinavarat, Witaya Mathiyakom, Warin Krityakiarana, Ninwisan Hengsomboon, Ratchanok Kraiwong

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Healthcare professionals are encouraged to use evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve the quality of care and the patient’s quality of life. Knowledge and skill set specific to EBP, critical resources such as time and accessibility to databases, and clinician’s attitude toward EBP are needed for successful implementation of EBP. However, little is currently known about these factors among Thai Physical Therapists (PTs). This study aimed to explore the patterns of attitudes, perceived knowledge, and barriers toward EBP in Thai PTs. Method: An online questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding attitudes, knowledge, and barriers from Thai PTs. Descriptive statistics …

Impact Of An Interprofessional Education Quality Of Life Forum On Students’ Perceptions And Commitment To Addressing Local Health Disparities And The Social Determinants Of Health, Jamie Bayliss, Erin Hofmeyer, Bc Charles-Liscombe, Kristin Clephane, Sandra Matthias, Donna Glankler, Nicole Harshbarger

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Healthcare providers and educational programs share a challenge where limited resources make interprofessional education (IPE) and collaboration difficult. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of IPE, specifically The Greater Cincinnati Quality of Life Forum within the School of Health Science at Mount St. Joseph University, on students’ perceptions of communication skills, collaboration, and values of interprofessional practice as they relate to emergent topics within the community and healthcare. Methods: Consenting participants completed an electronic survey with five reflection questions. Qualitative assessment included analysis of text for emergent themes. Results: Four themes evolved impacting future …

Student Experiences With Engagement In A Nursing And Physical Therapy Interprofessional Education Simulation, Sarah Koplow, Melissa Morris, Shari Rone-Adams, Heather Hettrick, Bini Litwin, Lisa B. Soontupe, Archana Vatwani

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interprofessional Education (IPE) incorporated into healthcare discipline instruction has been shown to be successful in improving the understanding perceptions of complimentary professions. The purpose of this mixed method study was to measure differences in perceptions of early Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) students and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with participation in a immersive interprofessional education experience. Method: Students completed a pre and posttest survey consisting of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale and several short answer qualitative questions. Cohorts of BSN and DPT students participated in a computerized mannequin simulation experience or a hybrid simulation. Results: Students …

The Use Of Tinkertoys® For Teaching Hip Anatomy And Alignment, Deborah M. Wendland

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Health education can require an emphasis on potentially difficult concepts in anatomy and alignment. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the effect of active use of Tinkertoys® to promote understanding of alignment and to report its effectiveness for knowledge acquisition among students according to spatial ability. Methods: Two cohorts of physical therapy (PT) students (n=70) participated in this project over two years. Thirty-four students (second cohort) rated their math and spatial abilities on a survey. Following a traditional lecture on femoral torsion and angle of inclination, all participants took a pre-test. Then, a Tinkertoys® …

Simulation-Based Learning To Improve Athletic Trainers’ Knowledge Of Exertional Sudden Death Conditions: A Pilot Study, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Elizabeth R. Neil, Kenneth E. Games, Stacy E. Walker, Lindsey E. Eberman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Continuing education for the practicing clinician typically involves reading peer-reviewed journals and attending professional conferences. These mechanisms do not allow for practice and real-time evaluation of healthcare skills. Simulation-based learning has been widely used in professional education yet is not common in the continued development of the clinician in their lifespan. Method: We used a cross-sectional, repeated measures pilot study. The participants included 11 athletic trainers (age=40±14 years; certified experience=17±14 years) that engaged in a multi-modal continuing professional development session that included a lecture, large-scale simulated learning experience, and debriefing session at a healthcare conference. The outcome measures included …

Student Perceptions Of Barriers To Professional Exam Success, Kathryn E. Webster

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Many Allied Health education programs have shifted attention toward program outcome measures, including professional exam pass rates. The purpose of this study was to solicit the opinions of students, in order to better understand how they perceive their barriers to professional exams, what resources have proved helpful for them, and ultimately what advice programs can give to students to increase exam success. Method: A survey was sent to 104 alumni of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program at a large Midwestern university to determine what they perceived as barriers in preparing for and taking their certification exam(s), and the …

The Relationship Between Physician Assistant School Admissions Exam (Pa-Cat) And Undergraduate Performance Measured By Science Gpa And Cumulative Gpa", Scott Massey, Johnna Yealy, Rajat Chadha, David Beck

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Physician Assistant (PA) programs often set minimum GPA and graduate record examination (GRE) requirements for admission, citing that candidates with higher admission scores will perform better in the PA program. However, to date, there are limited published studies with inconsistent results that have investigated the validity of using these preadmission characteristics to predict performance in PA programs or on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). The development of a physician assistant college admission test (PA-CAT) that has predictive validity to determine PANCE success would give PA admissions committees an additional resource to make decisions. This study …

Feasibility Of A Readiness Exam For Predicting Radiography Program Success: A Pilot Study, Tammy L. Webster, Sarah B. Mcbrien, Gregory M. Mehrer, Harlan R. Sayles

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Background: Research investigating predictors of academic success in rigorous health science education is valuable for curricular intervention for identified at-risk students. Various predictors of success have been investigated, but the literature is insufficient when examining anatomy and physiology readiness scores as they correlate to radiography curricular success. This pilot study assessed the correlation between readiness exam scores and programmatic course GPA to determine if the scores could be used as a metric for identifying academic success resources for incoming students. Cohorts of the radiography program at a midwestern health sciences center demonstrated a longitudinal trend of difficulty with anatomy …

Comparing The Perceptions Of Interprofessional Socialization Among Health Profession Students, Karen Aul, Jody Long

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Based on a review of literature, there is a gap of knowledge on how students perceive the professional roles and responsibilities of other disciplines. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of interprofessional socialization among health profession students. Subjects: Participants included 300 undergraduate and 114 graduate students from eight health disciplines: nursing, communication disorders, physical therapy, social work, radiological science, occupational therapy, clinical lab science, and nutritional science. Methods: Data were collected using the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS-21). The participants rated 21 items about their beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of interprofessional socialization on a …

Lived Clinical Education Experiences Of Professional Master’S Athletic Training Program Graduates, Laura A. Wamsley, Kimbery Brown, Jill A. Nolan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical education has been identified as a key aspect in the professional preparation of athletic trainers. The literature, however, has focused on clinical education at the undergraduate level rather than the graduate level, which is the future population of all CAATE-accredited athletic training programs. This study sought to describe the experiences of those who have completed athletic training clinical education at the master’s level, specifically focusing on the type of learning experiences they were granted and what influence the preceptor and the setting played in the overall experience. Method: This was a phenomenology study. Twelve graduates of CAATE-accredited professional …

An Exploratory Study Of The Perceptions Of Footwear For Individuals Who Use Lower Limb Orthotics, Margaret E. Gegen, Teresa Plummer, Nancy Darr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The purpose of this study was to explore individual’s perceptions of orthotics and footwear. A survey was created by the authors with the expert opinions of physical and occupational therapists and was distributed to two therapy clinics in Tennessee that provide both occupational therapy and physical therapy as well as on several online support groups. Seventy-nine (79) caregivers completed surveys. Thematic analysis was performed using Nvivo 10 (QSR International) and descriptive statistics were generated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM International). Ninety percent (90%) of participants report that orthotics affect what type of shoes the user …

Qualitative Analysis Of Student Physical Therapist Reflective Writing: Does An Interprofessional Discharge Planning Simulation Increase Their Understanding Of The Role They Play In Discharge Planning?, Leslie M. Smith, Benjamin Sachs, Karen Berg, Megan Keiser, Laura J. Smith, Carman Turkelson, Amy Yorke

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The Core Competencies for Entry-Level Practice in Acute Care Physical Therapy provides an expectation of entry-level practice in acute care for physical therapists including discharge planning (DP). Physical therapists (PT), despite having appropriate clinical reasoning and unique skills for determining the functional abilities of patients, are less often a part of the DP process. The purpose of this study was to determine, by use of qualitative analysis of reflective writing, if an interprofessional discharge planning simulation will increase students’ understanding of the role of physical therapy in DP. Methods: Students from physical therapy (n=57), undergraduate nursing (n=36), graduate …

Make Changes Early! High Stress Levels Predict Lower Academic Performance In First-Year Physical Therapy Students: A Pilot Study, Daniel W. Flowers, Amanda Bernard

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Evidence exists in the literature that allows admissions committees to predict which students will be most successful in entry-level physical therapy educational programs. Evidence linking modifiable predictors of academic performance to currently enrolled students allowing enhancement of their performance during enrollment is lacking. Previous healthcare education literature indicates that stress has a negative predictive relationship with academic performance, and that stress is the highest in the beginning of an academic program. Research studies with medical students report exercise assists in minimizing stress and improving academic performance, while the role of leisure time has also been investigated. No study has …

An Investigation Of Entry Level Doctor Of Physical Therapy Student Perspectives Of Peer Evaluation, Dawn James, Natalie Weeks-O'Neal, Jennyfer Oh, Teressa Brown

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To describe the perceptions of peer evaluation as an instructional method when used by entry-level doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students as preparation for practical examinations within a clinically oriented course.

Methods/Description: Forty first year, entry-level doctor of physical therapy students participated in structured peer-skills checks prior to practical exams as part a clinically based course. Each student was required to observe and provide critical feedback for at least four other students as they performed simulated patient care activities. Peer-evaluators rated the students on their level of competency with the skills using a Visual Analog Scale and …

Athletic Training Student And Student Aide Clinical Task Allowance In The Secondary School Setting, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Robert A. Huggins, Lindsey E. Eberman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Athletic training student aides (SA) are minors in high school that participate in an athletic training experience under the supervision of secondary school athletic trainers (SSAT). The NATA published an official statement on the proper supervision of SAs related to task allowance. As SSATs may also supervise athletic training students (ATSs), it is important to understand the differences in both. Therefore, the objective was to explore the training, task allowance, and perspectives of SAs and ATSs by SSATs during clinical experiences. Methods: We used a cross-sectional, web-based survey for this study. SSATs (n=3,567) from the ATLAS database were recruited …

Development Of A Program To Educate Physician Assistant Students On Performance Of A Comprehensive Breast Exam, Pamela B. Jaffey, Diana Cherkiss, Mara Sanchez, Patrick Hardigan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a new program to educate physician assistant (PA) students on the performance of a comprehensive breast exam and to test its effectiveness as compared to the previous program. Methods: The preexisting educational program for the performance of a clinical breast exam was evaluated during the term prior to the start of clinical rotations for the class of 2015. Baseline data were obtained from this control group by evaluation of student competency using a skills examination, utilizing a Nasco Advanced Breast Exam Simulator, and using a female standardized patient. An innovative …

Feasibility Of Conducting Research In A Student Physiotherapy Clinic In Australia: A Pilot Study, Scott Buckerfield, Felicity Braithwaite, Julie Walters, Maureen P. Mcevoy

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Allied health student clinics are growing in number and scope, providing a potential untapped avenue for clinical research. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a longitudinal research study over four sessions in a student physiotherapy clinic under the supervision of registered physiotherapists as clinical educators.

Method: This feasibility study gathered data on recruitment in a designated time period, attendance rates and adherence of participants to the treatment, with evaluation also of the acceptability of the entire protocol to participants (patients, students, clinical educators) and to the research team.

Results: Data were collected …

Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Students' Strengths And Vulnerabilities Related To Resilience: A Survey Of Graduate Programs, Janet Tilstra, Megan Coffman, Teresa Gonia, Caroline Koziol, Ellen Liebe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Burnout in health care professionals may pose a threat to the quality of care provided in any setting. The purpose of this project was to examine dimensions related to future resilience in CSD graduate students. METHODS: In this project, 146 master’s degree students from Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs in the Midwest completed an online survey regarding lifestyle stresses affecting resilience, and patterns in five areas correlated with resilience. RESULTS: Top lifestyle stresses affecting academics were general stress, maintaining mental health, and sleep difficulties. Notably, more than half of the participants reported feeling rested three or fewer days …

Teaching Healthcare Ethics Students How To Cope With Gun Violence, Peter G. Holub

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Buchbinder (2017) provides assignments for Financial Management, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Leadership, and Human Resources classes to help students process the physical and emotional effects of gun violence in America. The following additional assignments are provided for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level Medical Ethics classes.