Competency-based validation of neurologic specialty practice.

Area of Science:

• Neurologic Physical Therapy
• Clinical Practice Analysis

Background:

• A practice analysis was conducted to update the Description of Specialty Practice for neurologic physical therapy.
• The analysis aimed to define the distinct knowledge, skills, and abilities of neurologic physical therapists compared to non-specialists.
• This Description of Specialty Practice is crucial for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) neurologic certification examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To revalidate and revise the Description of Specialty Practice for neurologic physical therapy.
• To delineate the specific competencies differentiating a neurologic physical therapy specialist from a generalist.
• To inform the content and structure of the neurologic certification examination.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive survey was developed by subject matter experts and refined through pilot testing.
• The survey included 303 items assessing duties, roles, procedures, and knowledge of neurologic physical therapists.
• Respondents rated items on frequency, importance, criticality, and judgment, and provided demographic and practice information.

Main Results:

• The survey achieved a 32% response rate from 590 distributed questionnaires, with 187 responses analyzed alongside 30 pilot responses.
• The analysis resulted in an updated neurologic certification examination test plan.
• A revised Description of Specialty Practice was established, highlighting professional expectations, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic interventions characteristic of specialists.

Conclusions:

• The survey findings provide a current summary of neurologic physical therapy practice.
• These results directly support the framework and content of the neurologic board certification examination.
• The updated Description of Specialty Practice ensures the examination accurately reflects contemporary specialist practice.