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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.
Purpose:
This study examined whether regional differences exist in the provision of school-based physical therapy services for students who achieved positive progress and explored relationships between student outcomes and school-based physical therapy.
Methods:
Physical therapists developed student goals using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and administered the School Function Assessment (SFA). Therapists documented activities, interventions, and type of service delivery provided weekly. Students were assigned to regions for analysis.
Results:
Student GAS goal attainment and progress on the SFA did not vary significantly among regions. The dosage of school-based physical therapy services, interventions, and activities varied.
Conclusions:
There were regional differences that did not impact goal achievement. Further research is needed to identify the most efficient and effective interventions and dosage to support student outcomes.
