PEDIATRIC EDUCATION SPECIAL SERIES A Survey of Pediatric Clinical Education in Physical Therapist Professional Education. Issue 3 (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kenyon, Lisa K.; Anderson, Deborah K.; Frost, Jody S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of physical therapy education. Volume 31:Issue 3(2018)
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: Clinical education -- Physical therapy education -- Education content areas -- Pediatrics -- Survey research.; Physical therapy -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Study and teaching; Physical Therapy (Specialty) -- education -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 615.82071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-1855

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction. : Research pertaining to the clinical education component of pediatric curricula within physical therapist (PT) education programs is limited. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the current state of pediatric clinical education in professional PT education programs within the United States with respect to the (1) number and types of pediatric clinical education sites; (2) timing of pediatric clinical education experiences; (3) the availability of pediatric clinical education experiences; and (4) issues affecting pediatric clinical education. Subjects. : One director of clinical education (DCE)/academic coordinator of clinical education (ACCE) from each accredited PT education program (n = 215) was invited to participate in the study. Methods. : The study survey included questions pertaining to pediatric clinical education experiences, pediatric curricular content, and the clinical education component of each program. Open‐ended questions gathered respondents' perspectives concerning issues related to pediatric clinical education. Results. : Responses were received from 74% of programs. Respondents reported a mean total of 354.68 clinical education sites per program and a mean of 29.96 pediatric clinical education sites. A majority (72.71%) of pediatric clinical education experiences were reportedly offered only during the third year of the PT education program. Respondents indicated that the majority of students who requested a pediatric clinical education experience were able to complete such an experience. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed respondents' perspectives concerning issues related to pediatric clinical education. Discussion and Conclusions. : Over 30% of programs report an insufficient number of pediatric clinical education sites. Opportunities for pediatric clinical education experiences appear to be clustered in the final year of PT education.