Program-Level Factors Influencing Positive Graduate Outcomes of Physical Therapy Residency Programs

Physical therapist clinical residency programs vary widely in administrative structure, instructional characteristics, and program design. The impact of program-level factors on resident outcomes such as graduation and board certification is unknown.

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of program-level factors on participant outcomes of physical therapist residency programs.

This was a retrospective cohort study using data from accredited programs from 2010 to 2013.

Data were collected on program characteristics such as administrative structure, size, salary, tuition, full- or part-time options, didactic format, and clinical-site structure. The odds ratios were calculated to examine the impact of program characteristics on graduation, board certification, and passing the exam. A logistic regression analysis to determine the combined contribution of these characteristics on the 3 outcomes was performed.

Data from 183 residency programs and 1589 residents were analyzed. Participants attending programs that were single site or multifacility, provided live didactic instruction, did not charge tuition, and paid residents ≥ 70% full-time equivalent salary were 9.8 times more likely to graduate, 5.1 times more likely to become board certified, and 3.2 times more likely to pass the specialty board examination.

This study did not examine the impact of program location, resident attributes, or resident exposure to patient diagnostic volume and variety.

This study has identified some program-level factors that appear to influence the odds of graduating, becoming board-certified, and passing the specialty board examination. This information could inform existing and developing residency programs, as well as applicants, on program-level factors that might influence participant outcomes.