Survey of Attitudes of Arkansas Physicians and Physical Therapists Toward the Professional Capacity of the Physical Therapist

1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 584-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth H. Dunkel
Author(s):  
Fahad Kamran ◽  
Kathryn Harrold ◽  
Jonathan Zwier ◽  
Wendy Carender ◽  
Tian Bao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recently, machine learning techniques have been applied to data collected from inertial measurement units to automatically assess balance, but rely on hand-engineered features. We explore the utility of machine learning to automatically extract important features from inertial measurement unit data for balance assessment. Findings Ten participants with balance concerns performed multiple balance exercises in a laboratory setting while wearing an inertial measurement unit on their lower back. Physical therapists watched video recordings of participants performing the exercises and rated balance on a 5-point scale. We trained machine learning models using different representations of the unprocessed inertial measurement unit data to estimate physical therapist ratings. On a held-out test set, we compared these learned models to one another, to participants’ self-assessments of balance, and to models trained using hand-engineered features. Utilizing the unprocessed kinematic data from the inertial measurement unit provided significant improvements over both self-assessments and models using hand-engineered features (AUROC of 0.806 vs. 0.768, 0.665). Conclusions Unprocessed data from an inertial measurement unit used as input to a machine learning model produced accurate estimates of balance performance. The ability to learn from unprocessed data presents a potentially generalizable approach for assessing balance without the need for labor-intensive feature engineering, while maintaining comparable model performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110343
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Saaei ◽  
Susan G Klappa

COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of telehealth among various specialties, including rehabilitation. The fast-paced implementation of telerehabilitation has laid bare its challenges, providing an opportunity for innovation in order to enhance the experience of remote care. The purpose of this study sought to understand the attitudes toward telerehabilitation from physical therapist (PT) and patient perspectives. Two surveys administered to PTs, and the general patient population explored beliefs regarding telerehabilitation. There were a total of 289 participant responses in this study. There were 228 PT respondents and 61 patients who responded to the patient survey. Qualitative results describe current attitudes toward telerehabilitation. Results indicated both groups were receptive to virtual therapy sessions; however, some challenges were also reported. Current challenges and trends in utilizing telerehabilitation are further discussed.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4452
Author(s):  
Nicole Zahradka ◽  
Ahad Behboodi ◽  
Ashwini Sansare ◽  
Samuel C. K. Lee

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) walking interventions have demonstrated improvements to gait parameters; however, studies were often confined to stimulation of one or two muscle groups. Increased options such as number of muscle groups targeted, timing of stimulation delivery, and level of stimulation are needed to address subject-specific gait deviations. We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using a FES system with increased stimulation options during walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Three physical therapists designed individualized stimulation programs for six children with CP to target participant-specific gait deviations. Stimulation settings (pulse duration and current) were tuned to each participant. Participants donned our custom FES system that utilized gait phase detection to control stimulation to lower extremity muscle groups and walked on a treadmill at a self-selected speed. Motion capture data were collected during walking with and without the individualized stimulation program. Eight gait metrics and associated timing were compared between walking conditions. The prescribed participant-specific stimulation programs induced significant change towards typical gait in at least one metric for each participant with one iteration of FES-walking. FES systems with increased stimulation options have the potential to allow the physical therapist to better target the individual’s gait deviations than a one size fits all device.


2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R VanWye

Background and Purpose Mechanical hip pain and disease-based hip pain can have similar signs and symptoms, thereby presenting a differential diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Hip pain is a common complaint addressed by physical therapists; therefore, it would be advantageous for them to be knowledgeable about differential diagnosis for hip pain, so that they can screen for possible serious conditions outside the realm of physical therapist practice and make the appropriate referral. Case Description A 77-year-old man was referred for physical therapy by his primary care physician (PCP) with diagnoses of lumbar spine and left hip osteoarthritis and possible trochanteric bursitis. After the examination, the physical therapist determined that the patient should return to his PCP for further testing. Findings leading to this conclusion were pain severity out of proportion to the reported injury, the presence of night pain, a positive “sign of the buttock,” and empty end feels of all hip joint motions, which represented a noncapsular pattern of joint restriction. Outcomes The patient was diagnosed later with primary lung adenocarcinoma with widespread metastases. A computerized tomography scan of the left hip revealed a metastatic lesion at the left proximal femur. Discussion Physical therapists’ ability to adequately screen for conditions requiring examination by a physician can lead to a more timely diagnosis of serious medical conditions. Investigators have found published descriptions of end feels, capsular versus noncapsular patterns of restriction, and the sign of the buttock to be beneficial screening tools for use in people with hip, pelvis, or lumbar spine pain.


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 1417-1424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhea Cohn

Each year, more Americans are newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The costs for managing this disease are high, and the cascade of problems associated with poorly controlled diabetes is significant. At the same time, the number of uninsured or underinsured Americans is growing. This article describes current trends in health insurance availability and coverage for the growing number of people with diabetes and addresses the direct costs associated with treating this disease. The economic burden of health care for people with diabetes continues to escalate. Payers and employers are interested in decreasing their direct and indirect costs, improving profit margins, decreasing employee absenteeism, and increasing employee productivity. For physical therapists to recognize existing or new opportunities to participate in the management of this costly disease, it is critical that they understand how employees, payers, and employers are responding to the changing market forces affecting health insurance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara J. Tuyl ◽  
Jennifer H. Mackney ◽  
Catherine L. Johnston

Background Sternal precautions are utilized within many hospitals with the aim of preventing the occurrence of sternal complications (eg, infection, wound breakdown) following midline sternotomy. The evidence base for sternal precaution protocols, however, has been questioned due to a paucity of research, unknown effect on patient outcomes, and possible discrepancies in pattern of use among institutions. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate and document the use of sternal precautions by physical therapists in the treatment of patients following median sternotomy in hospitals throughout Australia, from immediately postsurgery to discharge from the hospital. Design A cross-sectional, observational design was used. An anonymous, Web-based survey was custom designed for use in the study. Methods The questionnaire was content validated, and the online functionality was assessed. The senior cardiothoracic physical therapist from each hospital identified as currently performing cardiothoracic surgery (N=51) was invited to participate. Results The response rate was 58.8% (n=30). Both public (n=18) and private (n=12) hospitals in all states of Australia were represented. Management protocols reported by participants included wound support (n=22), restrictions on lifting and transfers (n=23), and restrictions on mobility aid use (n=15). Factors influencing clinical practice most commonly included “workplace practices/protocols” (n=27) and “clinical experience” (n=22). Limitations The study may be limited by response bias. Conclusions Significant variation exists in the sternal precautions and protocols used in the treatment of patients following median sternotomy in Australian hospitals. Further research is needed to investigate whether the restrictions and precautions used are necessary and whether protocols have an impact on patient outcomes, including rates of recovery and length of stay.


2012 ◽  
Vol 591-593 ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsi Chuan Huang ◽  
W.H. Kao ◽  
T.S. Wei ◽  
S.Y. Liu ◽  
Y.S. Syu ◽  
...  

If the hand joints patients have not been taking autonomic or external force rehabilitation, they might become disabled, even leading the cause ofirreversible disability eventually. Generally speaking, the medical treatment of rehabilitation has been doing by physical therapist by providing patients with external forces rehabilitation assistance as far as we know currently. For the purpose of both of reducing the workload of physical therapists and providing the quantitative data obtained during the rehabilitation process so as for physical therapist’s reference. This research will build an automatic finger stretch and grip control system by using the Human- Machine Interface for operation control. It can be done by physical therapist or physical doctor to set the operating conditions so as to help the patients with their finger joints motion so as to achieve the rehabilitation effect of their fingers. This research is trying to integrate the mechanism and control technology mainly. With regards to the control technology, it uses a micro chip so as to lead the motions of the stretch & grip for finger rehabilitation by a signal processing control servo motor. And its operation interface is using an embedded system along with Visual Studio compiling software so as to touch input the operating conditions. The system operation functions are including single finger joint motion orsynchronized actuation of all fingers and the setting of the cycle numbers. Furthermore, in order to soften the finger tendons so as to promote the rehabilitation effect during the rehabilitation process, the system adds external steam in so as to control the internal temperature & humidity of the rehabilitation box and apparently, the whole finger automatic stretch & grip control system will be better owing to it.


Author(s):  
Tamara Phelan

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze how selected senior instructors in physical therapist educational programs define and seek to impart information on professional behavior. Methods: A qualitative case study approach was used to gather data from eight instructors teaching in four physical therapist educational programs in a selected region. Each interview was analyzed as an individual case study, followed by a cross case analysis to identify common themes. Results: Interpretational analysis using a process of constant comparison revealed nine common themes: 1) Instructors found it difficult to broadly define professional behavior. 2) Instructors expect students to be on time. 3) Instructors expect students to speak and act with courtesy and respect. 4) Instructors expect students to communicate appropriately. 5) Instructors expect students to dress appropriately. 6) Instructors expect students to participate in class. 7) Instructors consciously model professional behavior as a way to communicate their expectations. 8) Instructors give instructions and provide students with feedback about professional behavior. 9) Instructors do not attach a specific grade to professional behavior. Conclusions: Although instructors indicated a lack of confidence in consistency regarding professional behavior expectations, the themes that emerged in this study fit within existing descriptions of professional behavior for clinical physical therapists. Instructor perceptions of strategies for conveying information about professional behavior to students were consistent with existing literature on modeling and explicit teaching. .


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 1118-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M Baker ◽  
Helen H Marshak ◽  
Gail T Rice ◽  
Grenith J Zimmerman

Abstract Background and Purpose. An important part of treatment planning in physical therapy is effective goal setting. The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice recommends that therapists should identify the patient's goals and objectives during the initial examination in order to maximize outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether therapists seek to involve patients in goal setting and, if so, what methods they use. Therapists' attitudes toward participation and patient satisfaction with the examination were also examined. Subjects and Methods. Twenty-two physical therapists audiotaped the initial examination of 73 elderly patients (X̄=76.4 years of age, SD=7.1, range=65–94). The audiotaped examinations were then scored using the Participation Method Assessment Instrument (PMAI) to determine the frequency of attempts made by therapists to involve patients in goal setting. Therapists and patients completed surveys following the examinations. Results. Therapists' use of participation methods during examinations ranged from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 19 out of 21 possible items on the PMAI. The therapists stated that they believed that it is important to include patients in goal-setting activities and that outcomes will be improved if patients participate. Patients also indicated that participation is important to them. Discussion and Conclusion. In most cases, the therapists did not fully take advantage of the potential for patient participation in goal setting. Patient and therapist education is needed regarding methods for patient participation during initial goal-setting activities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leta Melaku

BACKGROUND Physical activity is a first-line therapy and secures against persistent illnesses. Essential medical care professionals are obviously situated to advance actual action. Active recuperation mediations focused on advancement and upkeep of wellbeing, personal satisfaction, and wellness. There is, notwithstanding, a deficiency of such examination proof in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE We planned to assess the degree of KAP of nonprofessional local physical therapists' towards wellbeing advancement in Arsi zone of Oromia, Southeast Ethiopia. METHODS Community based cross sectional study was conducted in April 2018 among 45 physical therapists. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured and self-administrative questionnaires. Participants were selected by quota sampling technique. The questionnaire was drafted specifically to test the KAP. Data were double entered and analyzed by SPSS Version 20.0 program. Descriptive statistics were used. The KAP were estimated using proportion. RESULTS In present response rate is 90.0%. Ages of respondents ranged between 24 – 87 years. 57.8% of participants got initial physical therapy knowledge from either of their parents. 53.3% of the respondents hear about health promotion from families and friends. 57.8% of them provided health promotion at their workplace. The overall percentage of all the respondents’ KAP in health promotion was 60.1%. CONCLUSIONS The respondents’ have good KAP towards health promotion. However there is still room for improvement. Also there is a lack of proper guide lines in determining the impact physical therapy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document