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Benchmarking in Academic Physical Therapy Using the PT-GQ Survey: Wave 2 Update With Application to Accreditation
Shauna Dudley-Javoroski1, Richard K Shields1
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Physical Therapy
|May 24, 2022
Summary
Updated benchmarks from the Physical Therapist-Graduation Questionnaire (PT-GQ) show strengths in critical thinking and clinical reasoning within physical therapist education, alongside challenges like low diversity and high student debt.
Area of Science:
- Physical Therapy Education
- Academic Benchmarking
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- The Physical Therapist-Graduation Questionnaire (PT-GQ) survey is utilized to establish performance benchmarks in physical therapist education.
- These benchmarks aid in interprofessional comparisons and support accreditation self-study reporting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report updated benchmarks from Wave 2 of the Benchmarking in Academic Physical Therapy study.
- To emphasize curricular areas that align with current accreditation standards.
Main Methods:
- Seventy Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, representing 26.5% of the national sample, administered the PT-GQ survey to graduates between 2020-2021.
- Respondent data were statistically compared with published medical student data where applicable.
Main Results:
- 1894 DPT graduates responded (63.9% response rate).
- High satisfaction was reported for "problem solving/critical thinking" and "clinical reasoning" curricula, while foundational sciences received lower ratings.
- Respondents reported higher exhaustion and lower tolerance for ambiguity than medical students, with 27.7% holding over $150,000 in loans.
Conclusions:
- Physical therapist education benchmarks highlight strengths in critical thinking and clinical reasoning.
- Identified challenges include low diversity perception and significant student debt impacting economic viability.
- Benchmarking provides valuable data for program quality improvement and accreditation self-studies.
