Date of Award

1995

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Thomas Mohr

Keywords

Curriculum; Physical Therapy -- education

Abstract

According to the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) current Standards for Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education Programs, "Criterion A for Standard VI states: The Comprehensive curriculum plan includes an organized and sequential series of integrated student-oriented learning experiences designed to enhance attainment of terminal competencies." How can we be sure that these educational goals and objectives of achieving technical clinical competency and meeting the needs of society and the profession are being met? One method is to get feedback from the students involved in the physical therapy program by means of a survey. This study will examine the content and benefits of an outcome-based survey administered to the UND Physical Therapy students as well as outcome surveys in other physical therapy schools across the United States.

Subjects are physical therapy students in their first, second, and third year at the University of North Dakota. They were surveyed as to how they perceived the physical therapy curriculum. The survey used a nominal measure of predetermined set of options as well as an opportunity to express open-ended comments about the curriculum.

A summary of the results will be discussed. Strengths and weaknesses of the physical therapy program will be highlighted. Implications for an improved curriculum will be addressed and suggestions for addition, expansion, or total change will be recommended. A proposal for continued assessments by graduates in order to evaluate revisions that may have been made in the curriculum during this study may also be beneficial.

Download
COinS