Volume 8:3
The Association Between Critical Thinking and Scholastic Aptitude on First-time Pass Rate of the National Physical Therapy Examination
Daniel W. Suckow, SPT; C. Jayne Brahler, PhD; Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore, PT, PhD, PCS; Mary Insana Fisher, PT, PhD, OCS; Philip A. Anloague, PT, DHSc, OSC, MTC
University of Dayton – Dayton, OH
ABSTRACT
Objectives: 1) To investigate the relationships among critical thinking (CT) abilities, overall academic performance in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program as measured by cumulative grade point average (GPA), and National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) licensure scores, and 2) To determine if NPTE scores were significantly different between groups of students who were classified as having low, moderate or high CT abilities.
Background: It is well established that physical therapy practice requires good clinical reasoning skills. Passage of the NPTE is required for licensure. Research to date has been mixed as to whether CT abilities or GPA can predict success on national board licensure examinations such as the NPTE. The conflicting results may be partially due to weak research methodologies, uncontrolled confounders, and the use of non-standardized assessment instruments.
Methods and Measures: A convenience sample of 91 DPT students completed a standard assessment of CT abilities three times. Repeated measure (RM) general linear model (GLM) tests were run to determine if mean California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) scores changed significantly over the course of the DPT program. A Pearson’s correlation matrix was constructed to investigate the relationships among NPTE scores, GPA, and CT. A univariate GLM test was run to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in mean NPTE scores between low, medium, and high CCTST groups.
Results: Complete sets of the three CCTST scores were available for 69 students, and NPTE scores were available for 73 graduates. The strongest correlation with the first-time NPTE score was the GPA (r = 0.735, p = 0.001), followed by the CCTST score at Measurement 1 (r = 0.413, p = 0.0001). Graduates who were classified as having low CT abilities had a 100% failure rate on the first attempt for the NPTE, and scored significantly lower on the exam compared to graduates with moderate or high CT abilities (615.33, 634.6, and 652.43, respectively p = 0.0005).
Conclusion: Implementing pedagogical practices that foster CT abilities and/or using a CCTST score of 18 or greater as DPT program entry criterion may equate to greater first- time NPTE pass rates for program graduates.
Can You Save Yourself Time in the Clinic? A Correlational Study of the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale and the Berg Balance Scale in Community Dwelling Older Adults
Shelly Hampton, SPT; Briana Kaiser, SPT; Stefanie Morland, SPT; Maria Pitz, SPT; Jennifer Mai, PT, DPT, PhD, MHS, NCS
Clarke University – Dubuque, IA
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a strong relationship between a self-reported balance measure and an objective balance measure. If a strong correlation was found, this may offer a viable time- saving alternative to measuring balance in the fast paced environment of the clinic. The Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) is an example of a self-reported measure completed by the patient, whereas the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is an objective test completed by the physical therapist. This is important because recent G-code standards require that all Medicare patients perform a functional assessment in order to monitor therapeutic progression.
Methods: Twenty-eight subjects met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 81.1 years old. All subjects signed an informed consent and completed the MFES followed by the BBS on the same day within the first 2 weeks of the integrated clinical experience.
Results: A strong positive correlation was found (rho (26) = .781, p < .05) indicating a significant relationship between the two variables.
Conclusion: These results indicate that the MFES may be an adequate replacement for the BBS. Elements of the BBS can still be incorporated into treatment sessions, but the MFES may decrease the need for formalized balance testing.
A First-Year DPT Student’s Perspectives on a Cadaver with Scoliosis
Caitlin D. Deems, SPT, ATC; Philip A. Fabrizio, PT, DPT, MS
Mercer University – Atlanta, GA
ABSTRACT
Study Design: Single subject observational case report. Background: Scoliosis is a condition commonly managed by physical therapists (PTs) in most settings. Patient management may include surgical correction, which requires PTs to be knowledgeable of the type of surgery and implications. Recent orthopedic research has found that disease type may alter vertebral anatomy, indicating the need for further consideration of the surgical technique used.4.
Case Description: Measurements of vertebral anatomy of a human cadaver were obtained by bisection of the vertebra, then compared with measurements from magnetic resonance (MR) images in previously reported orthopedic studies. The purpose of this study was to explore and combine the literature review with examination of a human specimen to gain a deeper understanding of scoliotic anatomy in order to enhance future clinical practice as well as to attempt to identify the underlying condition that led to scoliosis and other impairments in the cadaver.
Outcomes: This study led to a hypothesis of etiology of scoliosis in the cadaver by comparison of physical measurements to existing studies and synthesis of existing research. Cadaveric measurements generally matched corresponding measurements of idiopathic scoliosis as described in previous studies. Analysis of the global abnormalities of the cadaver led to a clinically applicable understanding of the end-stage of life presentation of scoliosis and the necessity of management of this condition.
Conclusion: According to research, the spinal column in patients with scoliosis may differ anatomically based on disease. This study, by improving one student’s knowledge of scoliosis, raised the question of whether PTs should base management decisions of scoliosis on etiology due to the anatomical differences. The opportunistic approach to this study shows the importance of students’ willingness to explore disease processes that may be present in the cadaver population within the anatomy laboratory.
