Physical Therapy Commons^™

Psychological And Psychosocial Effects Of Contemplative Practices In The Athletic Population: A Systematic Review, Victoria Baker, Emily Duckett, Alison Gardiner-Shires, Lindsey Keenan

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Mental health concerns in athletes are becoming a primary focus for institutions, companies, coaches, and more. An athlete carries an abundant load of stressors due to their lifestyle. The stressors can negatively impact an athlete by producing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mental health concerns. Previous studies have found a connection between the use of contemplative practices on psychological and psychosocial effects in athletes, creating an opportunity to evaluate the research of contemplative practices in the athletic population. 5, 7, 8, 13-16 A systematic review was conducted using nine electronic databases. Seven studies were included in this review, each assessing …

Neuromuscular Deficits Following An Isolated Pcl Tear In A Collegiate Lacrosse Player: A Case Study, Mckenna G. Witlin, Erin R. Mcmullan, Courtney M. Meyer, Amy L. Fraley

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

This disablement model case study outlines a 21-year-old female collegiate lacrosse player attending a United States service academy who presented with a unique neuromuscular deficit following a conservative grade II PCL tear rehabilitation. Nearing the end of her rehabilitation protocol, she noticed difficulty with toe-off while running; however, she did not report to the athletic trainer due to the institution’s holiday break proximity. An unexpected transfer of care occurred when the patient returned after the holidays, and she was cleared for full participation upon return. Several days after the patient was cleared, she reported her ankle feeling “stuck.” Upon evaluation, …

Improving The Discussion Of Suicide Prevention: A Quality Improvement Project, Chelsea Reynolds, Alyssa Zeitouni, Kathryn Stephenson

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States and the third leading cause of death in this age group worldwide.1,2 Suicide prevention is understandably a growing focus in pediatrics. Currently, at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Clinic, that is staffed by pediatric resident physicians, suicidal ideation is screened for using a PHQ-9 screen. However, at the time this study was initiated and completed, the TEEN screen was utilized. After the screening is performed, regardless of type, it is up to the provider to address these findings in a safe and effective manner. The goal …

Do Gender-Related Characteristics Impact Female Faculty Career Progression In Academic Doctor Of Physical Therapy Programs?, Bridget Eubanks

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study explored the experiences of female faculty in academic Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs in the US and if gender, or more specifically any gender-related characteristics such as pregnancy or motherhood, impacts female faculty career progression. Evidence has demonstrated that several challenges disproportionately affect women in academia, but there is currently no research available related to female faculty experiences in academic DPT programs. Methods: This study used a qualitative research design with a descriptive statistics component. It utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional design with a nonexperimental survey methodology. The Culture Conducive to Women’s Academic Success instrument was used …

Defining And Addressing Student Unprofessional Behaviors From The Physical Therapy Clinical Instructors’ Perspective, Michele "Shelly" Lewis, Nicole Biltz, Moyo B. Tillery, Jamie Dunlap Coates, Tracy Ellison, Elsa M. Drevyn

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Developing professional behaviors is an integral part of health professional education. Despite physical therapy education programs’ efforts to assist student physical therapists in developing professional behaviors before entering the clinic, some students still struggle with professional behaviors during clinical education experiences. Literature describing unprofessional behaviors in the clinic and providing guidance for clinical instructors to assess and address professional behavior issues is scarce. This study was conducted to investigate the type of unprofessional behaviors student physical therapists display during clinical education experiences and to describe successful and unsuccessful strategies used by clinical instructors to address challenging behaviors. Method: A …

A Model For Teaching Social Determinants Of Health In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Programs, Elise N. Bjork, Rupal M. Patel Pt, Phd, Rebecca Operacz, Deandrea B. Melvey, Luciano Garcia Iii

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to 1) describe the development and implementation of a novel educational module on social determinants of health (SDOH) for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, and 2) to assess the effectiveness of the module on altering DPT students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and barriers in addressing SDOH. Methods: Drawing on current literature, content expert feedback, identity theory, and experiential learning theory, a two-hour module on SDOH was created and delivered at two universities. The Physical Therapy Social Determinants of Health Scale (PT-SDHS) was used to assess change in students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and barriers …

Virtual Lecture, Live Lecture, Flipped Classroom: Does Dpt Pain Curriculum Format Affect Student Pain Beliefs? A Preliminary Study, Jeb Helms, Jamie Ball, Kory J. Zimney Pt, Dpt, Phd

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Currently there are multiple published examples of successful DPT delivery models for the International Association for the Study of Pain curricular guidelines. However, there are no direct comparisons between different IASP delivery models such as in-person vs hybrid or lecture vs flipped classroom. The purpose of this study was to compare 3 delivery formats for teaching a DPT pain science IASP based course (1. Virtual Lecture 2. In-person Lecture 3. Flipped in-person) for pre course and post course differences in student biomedical/biopsychosocial beliefs, and confidence to treat patients in pain.Method The instructors remained consistent throughout the study period, …

Innovative Virtual Mentoring: The Impact Of Technology On Neurologic Physical Therapy Education, A Case Study, Joy Williams, Joanne Pho

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: This case report provides an example of the utilization of true wireless earbud (TWE) technology within virtual mentoring sessions in an outpatient setting, aimed at enhancing mentee learning within a neurologic physical therapy residency program.

Methods: The mentor- mentee pair, consisting of one mentor and one mentee, participated in virtual mentorship sessions using a combination setup that included visual communication through a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant video conferencing platform delivered on a tablet, and audio through TWE. The sessions involved the mentee and patient in a face-to-face physical therapy session, with the mentor participating over …

Unlv Admissions: Effect Of The In-Person Interview On The Holistic Admissions Of Minority Applicants Into The University Of Nevada, Las Vegas Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program, Jonathan Madamba, Walker Riley, Isaiah Taylor

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Methods: The goal of this study is to analyze the effect of an in-person interview on the admission of minority applicants into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Using data from the 2014-2022 admissions cycles we assessed inter-rater reliability of the interviewer’s, differences in average in-person interview score between racial groups, and compared the difference in pre-interview scores between racial groups.

Results: We found that students identifying as Black scored higher on interviews than their White counterparts. However, a smaller proportion of them matriculated into the program due to the difference …

Expanding Anatomy Academy In The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area: A Service Learning Project To Improve Childhood Health Through Supplemental Educational Sessions, Alekzander Hall, Brandon Paige, Marlee Parkin, David Sanchez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, with approximately 18.5% of US children presenting with obesity. High levels of obesity are less common in higher income communities, but increasingly more prevalent in lower income communities. Currently in Clark County, Nevada, more specifically in lower socioeconomic communities and Title I schools within the Las Vegas area, there is an opportunity to educate students about the components of a healthier lifestyle to provide children with the tools to improve their health. Anatomy Academy (AA) is an eight-week health education program that was created to teach fourth and fifth grade …

Understanding Physical Therapist Student Defined Success: A Qualitative Study, Katie Graves, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: To (1) investigate student defined success in physical therapist education, and (2) generate key themes from the students’ perspective related to success to enhance physical therapist and health professions education. Method: A qualitative study was conducted through a series of focus groups with 13 first-year and 13 second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students. Study participants were asked open-ended questions regarding student success and the associated contextual factors. An inductive coding method with thematic analysis utilizing Dedoose software identified major themes. Results: The use of focus groups allowed for in-depth participant discussion, with sample excerpts presented. Data analysis yielded five …

In A Healthy D-Iii Population, Is Blood Flow Restriction More Effective For Increasing Quadriceps Strength Compared To Concentric Resistance Training?, Conner R. Ruff

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Strength is an important factor in the prevention of injuries. However, strength can decrease for numerous reasons, such as age, chronic injuries, or acute injuries. In recent years, Blood flow restriction (BFR) has been used as a modality to increase a patient’s strength gain while utilizing a low load of weight. However, in most research, BFR has been used concurrently with conventional strength training or compared to concentric training in the treatment of an injured population. This study looked at the effect of BFR on a healthy Division III (DIII) collegiate student population and its effectiveness in increasing quadriceps strength …

Entry-Level Physical Therapists’ Perceptions Of Initial Employment, Richard G. Hubler Jr.

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

As physical therapy (PT) grows as an autonomous profession within the ever-changing healthcare system of the United States, PT educators strive to provide students all the training that they require for a career in professional clinical practice. Although graduates of PT education programs receive a doctoral degree, their preparedness to succeed in their early career is unclear. The purpose of this qualitative research study is to investigate the perceptions of entry-level physical therapists (PTs) toward early professional practice and their initial employment choices. Entry-level PTs that have been employed full-time for one year or less were interviewed to gain an …

Doctor Of Physical Therapy Student Performance On The National Physical Therapy Examination And Qualitative Feedback Of Dpt Program Administrators About The Covid-19 Pandemic In The Appalachian Region, Timothy Logan Yost

Ed.D. Dissertations

In this qualitative case study, I aimed to discern the presence of a downward trend in the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) during the COVID-19 pandemic and receive valuable qualitative feedback from Doctor of Physical Therapy program administrators concerning the effects of COVID-19. I first reviewed the available literature, followed by an examination of first-time scores via publicly available data from the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). This was followed by the development of a qualitative research methodology, which included a targeted qualitative questionnaire with Doctor of Physical Therapy program administrators within the Appalachian region to gain …

Addressing The Lack Of Patient Adherence To Exercise Within The Physical Therapy Clinic And Creating Infographics To Improve Patient Adherence, Gretchen Panovich

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The primary objective of this applied knowledge project is to develop educational materials to enhance patient adherence. The World Health Organization defines adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behavior…corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider.” Within the physical therapy field, non-adherence to exercise is a significant problem linked with increased duration of treatment, more patient complaints, reduced positive clinical outcomes, and even surgical intervention.

Multiple factors affect patient adherence, making it hard to pinpoint a singular cause. Clinical observations and research suggest that belief in the rehabilitation process may suffer due to a prolonged recovery period, lack …

Development Of A Scale To Evaluate Key Attributes Of Academic Advisors Essential To Physical Therapy Students, Robin M. Baker, Jamie L. Greco

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Acknowledging the crucial role of academic advising in enhancing student success, professionalism, and personal growth, this paper advocates for a shift from traditional reactive methods to proactive, personalized advising strategies that have been shown to improve retention and satisfaction rates in higher education. Our study highlights the development of a comprehensive scale through rigorous validity assessments to measure key attributes of academic advisors essential to physical therapy students (PTS). This scale, refined through extensive feedback from faculty and PTS over two development phases, consists of 18 items on a 4-point Likert scale, which together map the complex landscape of effective …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Firefighter Knowledge Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And Prevention, Scott Richardson, Andrew Haight, Kassandra Sanchez, Madison Jepperson, Kelsey Houston, Lauren Schembs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Organized firefighting began in ancient Rome in 300BC, with the first fire engines in the 17^th century. Modern firefighters face extreme personal risk, responding to emergency situations and providing life-saving public support. Cardiovascular disease events account for 45% of on-duty fatalities among firefighters. Cardiovascular health in firefighters is not only important for immediate job performance but also for long-term health. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an educational intervention to influence firefighter knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and prevention. Method: A literature review determined that cardiovascular health was the leading knowledge deficit among firefighters …

Exploring Clinical Instructors' Views On Effective Role Modeling In Physical Therapy Education: Insights From A Qualitative Study Through The Lens Of Social Cognitive Theory, Brittney M. Gunterstockman, Kellee Harper-Hanigan, Andrew Bartlett, Ian Rheault, Karen Menard

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Acting as a role model is an essential competency and requirement for physical therapy clinical instructors. The social cognitive theory may explain how physical therapy students learn from clinical instructors during clinical education experiences. This theory suggests that individuals learn through observation of models who are competent, credible, enthusiastic, and similar to the observer. This study aimed to explore clinical instructors’ perceptions of effective role modeling. Methods: This phenomenological qualitative study used one-on-one virtual semi-structured interviews with clinical instructors (n=7) to explore effective role modeling in physical therapy clinical education. Inductive coding was used to develop codes and themes …

An Exploration Of Student Experiences And Perceptions Of A Physiotherapy Student-Led Clinic, Donna Wynne, Elizabeth Hancock Professor, Emma Stage, Kay Cooper Professor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Student-Led Clinics (SLCs) offer a structured, real-life learning environment for healthcare students, where they provide services under supervision. SLCs can facilitate increased confidence with clinical reasoning, improve skill development and enhance leadership skills. Existing research has generally captured students' experiences at the end of their SLC participation, lacking a longitudinal perspective and therefore, little is known about how students’ perceptions develop over time. This study aimed to explore physiotherapy students' experiences in a neurological rehabilitation SLC, with a focus on participants’ perceptions captured after attending specific SLC sessions and over the course of multiple SLC sessions. Methods: Using interpretative …

Rethinking Systematic Review Assignment Design In Graduate Health Science Education: Librarians' Perspectives, Laura Lipke, Carrie Price Mls

Library Scholarship

Background: This article examines the problematic phenomenon of faculty assigning graduate health science students systematic reviews as semester-based assignments while expecting a health science librarian to be a willing support system for those students. Despite published conduct and reporting guidelines establishing that systematic reviews require a team, time, and methodological expertise, some faculty still turn to full systematic review assignments in the classroom. The authors propose applying cognitive load theory and chunking the systematic review process into manageable steps, allowing both faculty and students to better understand the required methodologies and to enhance educational outcomes.

Experience: The authors have often …

Psychological Safety And Clinical Reasoning In Athletic Training And Physical Therapy Clinical Education: A Nationwide Survey Of Student Perception, Kelsey J. Robinson, Heather David, Beth Kinslow, Jennifer Austin

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Psychological safety contributes to effective learning environments in healthcare, where clinical experiences foster the development of clinical reasoning skills needed for accurate patient care decisions. Inadequate clinical reasoning skills may lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate patient care decisions, resulting in poor outcomes and unnecessary costs. This study examines the effect of psychological safety on clinical reasoning within athletic training and physical therapy clinical experiences. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey assessed perceptions of psychological safety and clinical reasoning among Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Athletic Training students and recent graduates. Survey measures indicated good reliability (a = .83 and .85). …

Escape From Diabetes, J E. Jochum, J Carmack, J Toon

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: In the past decade, interprofessional education (IPE) to promote interprofessional collaborative practice has become an integral component of pre-licensure education in the health professions. Research shows that IPE activities involving problem-solving in patient care that requires cooperation and communication among the professions is most effective. An effective activity to meet interprofessional competencies is the use of escape rooms. Escape rooms are team-based games where groups of individuals solve puzzles to accomplish a specific goal, typically in a limited amount of time. There are many benefits to using escape rooms in education, including promoting problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity, improving focus …

Modification Of Ergonomics For A World-Class Brass Instrumentalist With A Congenital Limb Difference: Level 3 Case, O G. Newhouse

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Background: A drum and bugle corps is a musical marching organization that consists of approximately 160 brass, percussion, and color guard performers. There are currently twenty-one drum corps organizations at the world-class level that compete. Organizations learn their 8–10-minute show in the late spring and begin traveling the country performing and competing in the early summer until August. Rehearsal days can be up to 10 hours of practice including visual and music. It has been reported that the incidence of upper limb pain is higher in those who have longer practice times, in which is a symptom of overuse. These …

The Effects Of A Joint Reduction Trainer On Confidence Levels In Professional Athletic Training Students, T Franklin, S Hacherl

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Dislocations are common injuries managed by athletic trainers, yet athletic training students are unlikely to practice reduction techniques during clinical experiences. Current standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education require accredited programs to prepare students to manage patients with dislocations, including joint reductions. Research indicates the use of simulation techniques, such as joint reduction simulators, in education can fill clinical experience gaps and improve student confidence and skills. Shoulder dislocations make up nearly 50% of dislocations with several reduction techniques identified in the current literature. The use of a joint reduction simulator may provide athletic …

Barriers To The Implementation Of The Amsterdam 2022 Statement In The Secondary School Setting, L Torres, J L. Baldari, F A. Gardin, A M. Price

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The Amsterdam 2022 International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport provides a summary of contemporary best practice recommendations for healthcare providers who are involved in the care of athletes at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Given that athletic trainers (ATs) have a professional responsibility to continually educate themselves on topics of great importance to the population that they care for, such as SRC management, it is reasonable to expect them to evolve their concussion management protocols to better align themselves with the recommendations found this statement. The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers associated with the …

Using Ai-Generated Scenarios To Enhance Learning Of The Emergency Assessment Process, D Cobble, L Schroeder, J Vaughn, S Ford

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Rigorous accreditation standards require students to demonstrate competency in various clinical proficiencies through clinical practice or simulation-based educational activities. Therefore, simulation has become an integral component of athletic training education, as scenarios can provide realistic and reproducible experiences for all students. To that end, our study had two primary objectives: investigate the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate accurate and realistic athletic training simulation scenarios and evaluate AI's effectiveness in teaching and reinforcing the emergency assessment process through student-created scenarios. Methods: Phase one, AI developed three different scenarios for patients experiencing (1) an ovarian cyst, (2) a hypoglycemic …

Athletic Trainer Compensation Characteristics, J P. Young, K Ef Mair, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Athletic trainers (ATs) are integral to healthcare yet face ongoing challenges that affect job satisfaction and retention. Factors such as long work hours, low pay, and work-family conflict contribute to dissatisfaction and a desire to leave the profession. Salary disparities and lack of administrative support are key factors impacting professional fulfillment and career longevity. Identifying how compensation influences job satisfaction is essential for improving retention and advancing the profession. Our study aimed to examine the compensation characteristics of ATs and determine the key factors that predict gross income. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted. The survey was validated …

Clinat: In Service To Athletic Training Scholarship, Lindsey Eberman, Matthew J. Rivera

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

To be of service to others means to help others without expecting anything in return. The ClinAT, or Clinical Practice in Athletic Training journal, is an online, open-access outlet for the dissemination of practice-based research in health care, and a donation of time, effort, and energy to the profession of athletic training. In 2018, when Indiana State University created its first issue of ClinAT, we were a faculty of 3 with 5 PhD students supporting the journal, one of whom was wholly dedicated to the effort. As the higher education landscape has changed, and the roles and responsibilities of our …

Exploring The Vitality Of Athletic Training: Insights Into Professional Identity, Commitment, And Retention, L E. Eberman, M J. Rivera, K E. Games, M J. Drescher, J P. Young, J Clifton-Gaw, K Condrey, H Mccarn, N Mondelli, X Yuan

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The confluence of fluctuating retention, fewer students entering professional programs, and the profession’s identity crisis (conflict between being a sports profession or a health profession) has created a serious question about the vitality of the athletic profession. However, research on the vitality of the profession has often focused on singular variables influencing professional identity, burnout, and commitment. The purpose of this project was to explore multiple factors influencing the vitality of the profession across professional identity and commitment in athletic training. Methods: We used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, including surveys and interviews with athletic training students and athletic …

Title: Professional Socialization And Development Of Athletic Training Professional Program Directors, N A. Wilkins, K D. Pagnotta, L Kunkel, S David, A B. Thrasher

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The role of Program Directors (PD) has vastly expanded over the last decade to meet the evolving demands of athletic training education and higher education. While specific responsibilities such as programmatic planning and accreditation maintenance are directly outlined in accreditation standards, PDs often assume additional institutional and programmatic responsibilities that now include recruitment and retention efforts, mentorship of faculty and students, curriculum design and mapping, and other administrative tasks. Previous research demonstrates athletic training faculty have little formalized training in administrative roles, and Coordinators of Clinical Education (CCEs) desired more support and development for that role. Little research exists …