Predicting Success for Student Physical Therapists on the National Physical Therapy Examination: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Issue 1 (4th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wolden, Mitch; Hill, Brent; Voorhees, Sara
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy. Volume 100:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2019-10-04
• Subjects: Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Physical therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Periodicals; 615.8205
• DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzz145
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-9023

Abstract

Abstract: Background: In physical therapist education, the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is the predominant measure of student success. Because the NPTE is a high-stakes examination, predicting NPTE performance is important for physical therapist students and programs. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between first attempt NPTE performance, physical therapist applicant variables, and physical therapist student variables. The 4 identified physical therapist applicant variables were undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA), undergraduate GPA for prerequisite courses, Graduate Record Examination verbal and quantitative subscale scores, and admission scores. The 4 identified physical therapist student variables were first- and third-year physical therapist student GPA, clinical performance scores (first and final clinical experiences), noncognitive student variables, and comprehensive examination scores. Data Sources: A systematic search was performed using the databases PubMed and EBSCO (1966–2018). Study Selection: Studies included in the review met the following criteria: the physical therapist education program offered an entry-level master's or doctorate degree, pertinent data were available for each independent variable, the relationship between the independent variable and the NPTE was investigated, the NPTE was a continuous variable, the program was a US entry-level therapist education program, and the study was peer reviewed. Data Extraction: Two independent reviewers completed data extraction and quality appraisal using the McMaster Appraisal Tool. Data Synthesis: Random-effects meta-analyses using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient as the measure of effect size was used. Limitations: Limitations of the review included a lack of homogeneity, high NPTE pass rates, modifications to the McMaster Appraisal Tool, small sample sizes, and publication bias. Conclusions: No one physical therapist applicant variable should be used as an independent predictor of first attempt NPTE performance. For physical therapist students, first- and third-year physical therapist student GPA had a strong relationship with first attempt NPTE performance; clinical performance had a weak and nonsignificant relationship with first attempt NPTE performance.