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Regional Differences in School-Based Physical Therapy Practice for Students Who Made Progress on 2 Outcome Measures
Michele Caldwell1, Susan Effgen, Alejandro Villasante Tezanos
1Baltimore City Public Schools (Dr Caldwell), Baltimore, Maryland; University of Kentucky (Dr Effgen), Lexington, Kentucky; Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health (Dr Villasante Tezanos), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (Drs Sylvester and Jeffries), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Regional differences in school-based physical therapy services did not affect student goal achievement. Further research is needed to optimize interventions and service delivery for better student outcomes in physical therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- School-based physical therapy is crucial for student development.
- Understanding regional variations in service delivery is essential for equitable care.
- Previous research has not fully explored the impact of regional differences on student outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate regional variations in school-based physical therapy services.
- To determine if these regional differences impact student progress and goal attainment.
- To explore the relationship between student outcomes and the provision of physical therapy.
Main Methods:
- Physical therapists utilized Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) for goal setting and the School Function Assessment (SFA) for progress monitoring.
- Therapists documented weekly interventions, activities, and service delivery types.
- Students were categorized into different regions for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in student Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) or School Function Assessment (SFA) progress were observed across different regions.
- Significant variations were found in the dosage of physical therapy services, interventions, and activities provided.
- Regional disparities in service delivery did not correlate with student goal achievement.
Conclusions:
- Regional differences in the provision of school-based physical therapy do not appear to affect student goal achievement.
- Further investigation is required to identify optimal interventions and service dosages for enhancing student outcomes.
- The study highlights the need for research into efficient and effective physical therapy practices in schools.
