Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Tips For Allied Health Professionals To Successfully Engage With Research: A Commentary, Siti Nurliyana Abdullah, Saravana Kumar

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

While allied health professionals are encouraged to engage with research, there are numerous challenges to do so in practice. In this commentary, we reflect on some of these challenges and provide some simple tips on strategies that can be used by allied health professionals to overcome these challenges. These tips may provide a starting point for allied health professionals to successfully engage with research.

Post-Traumatic Stress And Academic Performance Among Entry-Level Doctoral Physical Therapy Students In A Human Anatomy Cadaver Dissection Course, Sue E. Curfman, Gary P. Austin, Joyce S. Nicholas

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Dissection of human cadavers can be a stressful experience for students. Purpose: The purposes of this study were twofold: 1) to determine if physical therapy students develop or experience a worsening of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during exposure to and dissection of human cadavers; and 2) to determine if these symptoms are related to academic performance. Methods: Previous history of a diagnosis of anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder and level of prior exposure to cadavers were recorded among 26 entry-level first semester doctoral students in physical therapy (DPT) taking gross human anatomy. Their level of anxiety about working …

Utilizing Standardized Patient Feedback To Facilitate Professional Behavior In Physical Therapist Students: A Pilot Study, Mary Anne Riopel, Bini Litwin, Nicki Silberman, Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Physical therapist (PT) students receive feedback on professional behavior performance from academic and clinical faculty members. Literature is lacking on the impact that verbal feedback from standardized patients (SPs) may have on physical therapist student learning of professional behaviors. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the use of standardized patients’ feedback as a strategy for professional behavior development. Methods: A sample of convenience identified 13 doctoral physical therapist students prior to initiation of their first full-time clinical experience. Subjects were excluded if they had prior experiences with standardized patients or had completed a full-time clinical experience. …

Assessing The Educational Environment Of A Flipped Physical Therapy Course: Utilization Of The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (Dreem), Brad W. Willis, Evan L. Prost, Stephen P. Sayers

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Using valid and reliable measures to assess curricula within health professions programs has gained significant attention in recent years. The educational environment is considered a key domain for student success. The primary aim of this study was to measure the educational environment following the addition of a flipped classroom model within a physical therapy course as measured by the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure.

Methods: A first year doctorate of physical therapy course, “Physical Agents”, was redesigned to include a flipped classroom model, incorporating 24 videos that students reviewed independently, prior to hands-on laboratory learning. Following the conclusion of …

The Neuro Clinic: A Pilot Model To Facilitate Student Clinical Development Through In-Class Patient Experiences While Meeting Community Need, Rosanne M. Thomas, Jamie Bayliss

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To detail the implementation and assessment of a pilot model the Neuro Clinic. This is one component of a Patient Experience Model (PEM) of embedded progressive in-class patient experiences (IcPE) in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The Patient Experience Model, an innovative model of experiential learning, was developed to bridge the gap between didactic coursework and clinical education, facilitate progressive patient experiences and assess developing student professional and skill competence.

Methods: The Neuro Clinic was held in laboratory classroom space for six weekly sessions with consistent student: patient triads. Overwhelming patient interest indicated a need in our community …

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis- A Case Report, Renee M. Horner, Douglas S. Gardenhire, Ralph D. Zimmerman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Background: Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary disorder caused by a congregation of excessive lipoproteinaceous material in the alveolar spaces due to impaired surfactant metabolism. The congregation of the protein in the alveolar space leads to difficulty in breathing, impaired pulmonary immunity, and susceptibility to both opportunistic and acquired pulmonary infections. Although Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis is rare, there are potential treatments. Whole-lung lavage is the most widely accepted therapy and course of treatment. An additional form of therapy, GM-CSF stimulating therapy, uses recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology to increase white cell production.

Purpose: The purpose …

National Survey Of Lymphedema Therapists’ Dosing Of Complete Decongestive Therapy In Breast Cancer Survivors With Lymphedema, Katie M. Polo, Peter J. Rundquist, Nathaniel D. Krumdick, Gail L. Gamble

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify dosing levels of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) with survivors with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL) and describe factors related to how occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, and physical therapists assistants with advanced lymphedema training determine dosing.

Methods: An electronic survey was sent to 598 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, and physical therapists assistants with training in lymphedema. Respondents completed questions regarding demographics, dosing practices, and factors related to dose determination in complete decongestive therapy of survivors with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Results: 107 surveys were returned (18% response rate). …

Effects Of A Customized Professionalism Educational Intervention On Physical Therapists’ Knowledge And Attributes Of Professionalism, Joseph A. Balogun Distinguished University Professor, Chidozie E. Mbada Dr., Adetutu O. Balogun Dr., Udoka A. Okafor Dr.

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: There is a growing call around the world to include professionalism in the entry-level education of physical therapists and to teach professionalism as a continuing education professional development workshop for practicing physical therapists. Unfortunately, there is currently no empirical evidence to support the use of didactic instruction to effectuate a change in the knowledge and attributes of professionalism. This study evaluated the effects of a customized professionalism educational intervention on physical therapists’ knowledge and attributes of professionalism.

Methods: A quasi-experimental research was conducted among 47 Nigerian physical therapists (Mean age = 41 ± 10.1 years). The educational intervention consisted …

Characteristics Of Effective Teaching In Physician Assistant Programs From The Students' Perspective, Jennifer Forbes, Talia Sierra, Jane Trapp, Thomas Parish

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This qualitative study aims to identify the characteristics physician assistant (PA) students find most important for effective teaching by faculty in physician assistant programs. With this information, physician assistant faculty can enhance their teaching effectiveness in the classroom and optimize the environment for student learning. Faculty may also use the data obtained from this study to increase the likelihood of their retention or promotion as student input regarding teaching effectiveness is frequently one of the variables used in faculty evaluations.

Methods: Physician assistant students from three physician assistant programs were emailed a survey that asked for their response to …

Building Allied Health Research Capacity At A Regional Australian Hospital: A Follow-Up Study., Tilley Pain, Michelle Petersen, Malindu Fernando

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose

This study determined if research experience increased among allied health professionals (AHPs) at a regional tertiary hospital following a research capacity building initiative.

Methods

A cross sectional electronic survey was used to collect data from allied health professionals on their research experience, research support needs, enablers and barriers to research and their perceptions regarding benefits of research. A baseline survey was conducted in 2011 which was compared to a follow up survey in 2015. Comparison of variables between the two surveys used Chi squared tests.

Results

The response rate for the 2011 survey was 43% (n=248) while the 2015 …

Systematic Review Of The Addition Of Hip Strengthening Exercises For Adults With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Cara Elliott, Fraser Green, Karen Hang, Bronwen Jolliffe, Maureen P. Mcevoy

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder typically occurring in physically active people aged 40 years and younger, causing pain, functional deficits and lower limb weakness. Traditional treatment has been aimed at strengthening the knee, however recent research suggests the muscles around the hip also play an important role in the development and continuity of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of the addition of hip strengthening exercises to standard physiotherapy treatment (knee strengthening and stretching exercises) on reducing pain, and enhancing strength and function when compared to standard physiotherapy treatment alone in adults with Patellofemoral …