Validation of the Revised Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI): Version 2006

Area of Science:

• Physical Therapy Education
• Clinical Performance Assessment
• Instrument Validation

Background:

• The Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI) was revised from its 1997 version to the 2006 version due to changes in core physical therapy documents and issues with the prior iteration.
• The PT CPI: Version 2006 was developed to address identified limitations and incorporate updated standards in physical therapy education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the PT CPI: Version 2006 as a reliable measure for assessing the clinical performance of physical therapist students.
• To establish the psychometric properties of the PT CPI: Version 2006 for use in academic and clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• A combined cross-sectional and prospective study design was employed.
• Data were collected from a convenience sample of 196 physical therapist students (midterm) and 171 students (final) from the United States and Canada.
• The PT CPI: Version 2006 was administered by clinical instructors to evaluate student performance during clinical internships.

Main Results:

• The PT CPI: Version 2006 exhibited good internal consistency.
• Factor analysis revealed a 3-factor solution that accounted for 94% of the variance.
• Construct validity was supported by significant differences in scores between early and final clinical experiences, midterm and final evaluations, and correlations with prior experience and coursework.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the PT CPI: Version 2006 as a valid instrument for evaluating the clinical performance of physical therapist students.
• Further research should investigate rater reliability for the PT CPI: Version 2006.