scholarly journals Preadmission predictors of graduation success from a physical therapy education program in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Gretchen Roman ◽  
Matthew Paul Buman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
The United States ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Graduate Record Examination ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Graduation Success ◽  
Therapy Education

Purpose: The field of physical therapy education is seeking an evidence-based approach for admitting qualified applicants, as previous research has assessed various outcomes, impeding practical application. This study was conducted to identify preadmission criteria predictive of graduation success. Methods: Data from the 2013–2016 graduating cohorts (n=149) were collected. Predictors included verbal Graduate Record Examination rank percentile (VGRE%), quantitative GRE rank percentile, and analytical GRE rank percentile, the admissions interview, precumulative science grade point average (SGPA), precumulative grade point average (UGPA), and a reflective essay. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and grade point average at the time of graduation (GGPA) were used as measures of graduation success. Two separate mixed-effects models determined the associations of preadmission predictors with NPTE performance and GGPA. Results: The NPTE model fit comparison showed significant results (degrees of freedom [df]=10, P=0.001), decreasing within-cohort variance by 59.5%. NPTE performance were associated with GGPA (β=125.21, P=0.001), and VGRE%, the interview, the essay, and GGPA (P≤0.001) impacted the model fit. The GGPA model fit comparison did not show significant results (df=8, P=0.56), decreasing within-cohort variance by 16.4%. The GGPA was associated with the interview (β=0.02, P=0.04) and UGPA (β=0.25, P=0.04), and VGRE%, the interview, UGPA, and the essay (P≤0.02) impacted model fit. Conclusion: In our findings, GGPA predicted NPTE performance, and the interview and UGPA predicted GGPA. Unlike past evidence, SGPA showed no predictive power. The essay and VGRE% warrant attention because of their influence on model fit. We recommend that admissions ranking matrices place a greater weight on the interview, UGPA, VGRE%, and essay.

scholarly journals Modifiable variables in physical therapy education programs associated with first-time and three-year National Physical Therapy Examination pass rates in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad Cook ◽  
Chalee Engelhard ◽  
Michel D. Landry ◽  
Christine McCallum
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Time Pass ◽  
Physical Therapy Programs ◽  
Therapy Education ◽  
First Time

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the modifiable programmatic characteristics reflected in the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Annual Accreditation Report for all accredited programs that reported pass rates on the National Physical Therapist Examination, and to build a predictive model for first-time and three-year ultimate pass rates. Methods: This observational study analyzed programmatic information from the 185 CAPTE-accredited physical therapy programs in the United States and Puerto Rico out of a total of 193 programs that provided the first-time and three-year ultimate pass rates in 2011. Fourteen predictive variables representing student selection and composition, clinical education length and design, and general program length and design were analyzed against first-time pass rates and ultimate pass rates on the NPTE. Univariate and multivariate multinomial regression analysis for first-time pass rates and logistic regression analysis for three-year ultimate pass rates were performed. Results: The variables associated with the first-time pass rate in the multivariate analysis were the mean undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and the average age of the cohort. Multivariate analysis showed that mean undergraduate GPA was associated with the three-year ultimate pass rate. Conclusions: Mean undergraduate GPA was found to be the only modifiable predictor for both first-time and three-year pass rates among CAPTE-accredited physical therapy programs.

We Don’t Know our Own Strength: A Survey of Strength Training Attitudes, Behaviors and Knowledge in Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed Handlery ◽  
Emma Shover ◽  
Thavi Chhoun ◽  
Lauren Durant ◽  
Kaci Handlery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Strength Training ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical Therapy Students ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Education Participation ◽  
Therapy Education

Abstract Objective Strength training is frequently utilized by physical therapists; however, there has been discussion about whether physical therapists utilize strength training adequately. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the strength training attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge of physical therapists and physical therapy students and to determine how participant characteristics influenced knowledge scores. Methods An anonymous survey was created in 3 rounds. For round 1, researchers used textbooks to create items assessing demographics, attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding strength training. Rounds 2 and 3 consisted of feedback from 7 content experts until 80% consensus was reached; items were added, removed, or edited based on feedback. The final survey was distributed through social media, list servs, and email, targeting physical therapists and students based in the United States. Response frequencies for all items were reported. Overall knowledge scores were calculated by summing correct responses for each item, with a maximum score of 13; scores <70% were considered low. Binomial logistic regression determined which characteristics (demographics, attitudes, or behaviors) influenced whether participants adequately utilized strength training principles (scored ≥70% on knowledge items). Results There were 777 physical therapist and 648 student participants. Nearly 90% of therapists and students reported frequently prescribing strength training. Over 48% of therapists felt their professional education did not prepare them to apply strength training (compared with 24% of students), and 68% believed that strength training is inadequately applied in physical therapy (compared with 40% of students). Sixty-two percent of therapists and 55% of students scored ≥70% for knowledge items. Additional strength training education and regular participation in strength training increased the odds of scoring ≥70% on knowledge items. Conclusions Physical therapists and physical therapy students frequently prescribe strength training, despite similarly low knowledge scores. To increase knowledge, greater emphasis on strength training in professional education, continuing education, participation in strength training, or all 3 is warranted. Impact Strength training is an important intervention used in physical therapy and must be used appropriately to improve the health of patients. According to these findings, strength training education may not currently be optimal, as demonstrated by low knowledge scores by both therapists and students. Further work is needed to determine how knowledge of strength training relates to patient outcomes and also how best to implement strength training in physical therapy education and practice.

scholarly journals Use of Demographic and Quantitative Admissions Data to Predict Performance on the National Physical Therapy Examination

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (9) ◽  
pp. 1181-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph R Utzman ◽  
Daniel L Riddle ◽  
Dianne V Jewell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Prediction Rule ◽  
Graduate Record Examination ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
National Physical Therapy Examination ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Physical Therapist Student ◽  
Student Risk

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether admissions data could be used to estimate physical therapist student risk for failing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Subjects: A nationally representative sample of 20 physical therapist education programs provided data on 3,365 students. Methods: Programs provided data regarding demographic characteristics, undergraduate grade point average (uGPA), and quantitative and verbal Graduate Record Examination scores (qGRE, vGRE). The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy provided NPTE data. Data were analyzed using hierarchical logistic regression. Results: A prediction rule that included uGPA, vGRE, qGRE, and race or ethnicity was developed from the entire sample. Prediction rules for individual programs showed large variation. Discussion and Conclusion: Undergraduate grade point average, GRE scores, and race or ethnicity can be useful for estimating student risk for failing the NPTE. Programs should use GPA and GRE scores along with other data to calculate their own estimates of student risk.

scholarly journals Correlation between physician assistant students’ performance score of history taking and physical exam documentation and scores of Graduate Record Examination, clinical year grade point average, and score of Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Sara Lolar ◽  
Jamie McQueen ◽  
Sara Maher
Keyword(s):  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Physician Assistant ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical Exam ◽  
State University ◽  
History Taking ◽  
Performance Score ◽  
Graduate Record Examination ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Wayne State University

Purpose: Learning to perform and document patient history taking and physical exam (H&P) entails a major component of the first year academic education of physician assistant (PA) students at Wayne State University, USA. The H&P is summative of multiple aspects of PA education, and students must master communication with patients and other health care providers. The objectives of this study were first, to determine if there was a correlation between scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) component testing and scores on graded H&Ps. The second objective was to identify a correlation between proficiency with H&P documentation and academic and clinical year grade point average (GPA) and Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) score.Methods: Subjects included 147 PA students from Wayne State University from 2014–2016. PA students visited local hospitals or outpatient clinics during the academic year to perform and document patient H&Ps. Correlation between the H&P mean scores and GRE component scores, GPAs, and PANCE scores were analyzed.Results: The subjects were 26.5 years-old (+6.5) and 111 females (75.5%). There was no correlation between the GRE component score and the H&P mean score. The H&P score was positively correlated with GPA 1 (r=0.512, P<0.001), with GPA 2 (r=0.425, P<0.001) and with PANCE score (r=0.448, P<0.001).Conclusion: PA student skill with H&P documentation was positively related to academic performance score during PA school and achievement score on the PANCE at Wayne State University, USA.

scholarly journals Grit and Academic Performance in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Richardson ◽  
Michael Scotto ◽  
MayAnne Belcina ◽  
Richa Patel ◽  
Kevin Wiener
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Graduate School ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Physical Therapy Students ◽  
School Grade ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Doctor Of Physical Therapy ◽  
Therapy Program

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a physical therapy student’s level of grit positively correlates to graduate school grade point average. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample recruited from the class of 2021 in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Franklin Pierce University in Goodyear, Arizona. Subjects completed the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) as a measure of grit. These scores were compared with participants’ graduate school grade point average using a Spearman Rho statistical test with data analysis completed using SPSS software. Results: 27 participants (15 males, 12 females) with mean grit score of 3.76 ± 0.48 and mean grade point average 3.72 ± 0.18. Spearman Rho correlation was .463 (p < .05). Conclusion: A significant moderate positive correlation between grit and graduate school grade point average in physical therapy students was found. These findings indicate preliminary evidence that may be useful for admissions considerations for DPT programs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document