Moving Toward Excellence in Pediatric Physical Therapy Education: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map current evidence that underpins excellence in pediatric physical therapy education. METHODS: An extensive review was conducted of literature published over a 27-year period regarding pediatric physical therapy/medical/allied health education. RESULTS: Thirty articles were reviewed and analyzed. Articles were classified as levels of evidence 4 to 7. Three major overarching concepts emerged: faculty characteristics, curriculum, and pedagogy. CONCLUSIONS: Few published studies with methodological rigor exist on this topic. More research and higher quality studies are needed to identify exemplar programs, curriculum, and pedagogy. The key concepts identified in this review will help inform the definition of excellence, as it is perceived through the lens of pediatric physical therapy educators, clinicians, and students.

National Study of Excellence in Pediatric Physical Therapy Education: Design, Methods, and Results.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to identify and describe the attributes of excellence and innovation in professional pediatric physical therapy education and develop a conceptual framework identifying dimensions of excellence. METHODS: A multimethod case study design based on a grounded theory framework was used. Data collection included review of artifacts and field interviews (individual and focus group). A constant-comparative method for within case and across case was used for data analysis to verify and revise coding schemes, identify categories and subcategories, revise emerging themes, and develop a conceptual framework. RESULTS: Based on results of a predetermined grading rubric, 6 of 17 self-nominated academic sites were selected representing diverse institution types (public/private, Carnegie classification, size) and geographic locations. Pedagogical approaches and method of content delivery varied among programs; all used the essential core competencies. The core pediatric faculty member(s) were Board Certified Clinical Specialists. A conceptual framework was developed based on 4 key dimensions: Culture of Excellence, Exemplary Pediatric Faculty, Pedagogy, and Child and Family as Teacher (CFT), and 16 related elements. CONCLUSIONS: CFT is a unique and nonnegotiable dimension of excellence in pediatric physical therapy education, highlighting the partnership between the learner, child, family, and pediatric faculty member. CFT intersects with the other dimensions and integrates their elements (ie, faculty characteristics, contributions from the child and family, use of instructional strategies) to effectively prepare future pediatric physical therapists. Based on the pervasiveness of this dimension in teaching and learning across all programs, this may be the signature pedagogy of pediatric physical therapy education. IMPACT: Results of this study are important to professional physical therapist education administrators, pediatric academic faculty, and clinical educators because they represent an understanding of the attributes of excellence. The model can serve as a guide for best practice in pediatric physical therapy education.

Clinical narratives in residency education: Exploration of the learning process.

Background: Post-professional residency educational programs aim to advance the knowledge and skills of therapists in a clinical specialty area, however, little is known about the process, outcomes, or effectiveness of residency education. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use narrative as a teaching and learning tool to gain insight into the progressive development of the residents' learning process. Design: Qualitative methods including a retrospective analysis of residents' narratives were used to explore the professional development and thought process of residents. Methods: Six physical therapy residents wrote reflective narratives across 4 time placements during their one-year residency. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data for types of reflection across time frames and to construct themes based on meaning statements. Results: Four main themes evolved from the residents' clinical narratives: 1) developing clinical reasoning skills; 2) developing professional formation and identity; 3) moral agency; and 4) emerging characteristics of expertise Conclusions: In this study, clinical narratives served as a pedagogical tool to enhance aspects of clinical expertise. The utilization of clinical narrative may be used as one tool to help to create reflective practitioners with improved skills foundational to clinical practice.

Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education: Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future.

The physical therapy profession continues to respond to the complex and changing landscape of health care to meet the needs of patients and the demands of patient care. Consistent with this evolution is the rapid development and expansion of residency and fellowship postprofessional programs. With the interested number of applicants exceeding the number of residency and fellowship slots available, a "critical period" in the educational process is emerging. The purposes of this perspective article are: (1) to analyze the state of residency and fellowship education within the profession, (2) to identify best practice elements from other health professions that are applicable to physical therapy residency and fellowship education, and (3) to propose a working framework grounded in common domains of competence to be used as a platform for dialogue, consistency, and quality across all residency and fellowship programs. Seven domains of competence are proposed to theoretically ground residency and fellowship programs and facilitate a more consistent approach to curricular development and assessment. Although the recent proliferation of residency and fellowship programs attempts to meet the demand of physical therapists seeking advanced educational opportunities, it is imperative that these programs are consistently delivering high-quality education with a common focus on delivering health care in the context of societal needs.