Excellence in Academic Physical Therapy: Promoting a Culture of Data Sharing

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Data Science in Academia
• Physical Therapy Program Evaluation

Background:

• Data analytics are vital for identifying trends and driving change in health professions education.
• Current data limitations hinder the assessment of physical therapy (PT) academic excellence.
• The American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) needs data-informed methods to address challenges in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore current and desired data for assessing program outcomes in academic PT.
• To identify technology, needs, and costs for ACAPT to evaluate program excellence.
• To develop a framework for advancing data utilization in PT education.

Main Methods:

• Convened a Task Force to investigate data and technology for program outcome evaluation.
• Conducted a gap analysis of existing measures of academic excellence.
• Developed evidence-based recommendations and an Assessment Excellence Map.

Main Results:

• Identified gaps in current data for assessing PT academic excellence.
• Generated recommendations for enhancing data and technology systems in academic PT.
• Created a comprehensive Assessment Excellence Map leading to a streamlined Excellence Framework and the ACAPT Center for Excellence.

Conclusions:

• Centralizing common data is essential for assessing excellence in PT education.
• Leveraging data analytics can transform PT academic endeavors.
• Establishing a culture of data sharing and assessment will enhance program-level and profession-level excellence.