Where are they now? A longitudinal qualitative study of exemplary physical therapist students five years after...

In recent years, the physical therapy profession has placed increasing emphasis on understanding and promoting excellence in education and clinical practice. A 2024 study by Hagan and Tovin contributed to this discourse by exploring the perspectives and attributes of 26 exemplary physical therapist students using a phenomenological approach.

Five years after graduating, this longitudinal study aimed to examine whether those exemplary students continue to embody the traits originally identified and to gain deeper insight into their experiences as practicing clinicians.

This study employed a recurrent cross-sectional qualitative design. Eight participants from the original cohort were located and consented to participate. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Data was analyzed using content analysis guided by the framework developed by Bingham. Trustworthiness was reinforced through peer debriefing, memoing, member checking, and thick description.

Four primary themes and one subtheme emerged: (1) Holistic Patient Care, (2) Commitment to Professional Growth, (3) Navigating Career Demands and Balancing Personal Values, with a subtheme of Challenges in Healthcare, and (4) Developing a Professional Identity.

Findings indicate that several key qualities observed in these exemplary students including empathy, adaptability, and commitment to learning, persisted into their clinical practice. Challenges of healthcare also shaped their experience as a clinician reflecting a broader concern within the profession regarding burnout, work-life balance, and the retention of skilled clinicians. This study provides valuable insight into the traits of exemplary students and how they are sustained and shaped in their early career, particularly in the face of the increasing challenges confronting physical therapists today. As healthcare continues to evolve, fostering excellence from entry-level education through clinical practice is essential to advancing the profession, reducing attrition, and meeting the growing needs of patients and society.