What Are DPT Program Practices and Attitudes Related to Population Health, Prevention, Health Promotion, and Wellness? Results of a National Survey

Zachary D Rethorn; Jessica L Maxwell; Janet R Bezner; Todd E Davenport; Elissa H Bradford; Mary Sue Ingman; Dawn M Magnusson

doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa178

What Are DPT Program Practices and Attitudes Related to Population Health, Prevention, Health Promotion, and Wellness? Results of a National Survey

Phys Ther. 2021 Jan 4;101(1):pzaa178. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa178.

Authors

Zachary D Rethorn¹, Jessica L Maxwell², Janet R Bezner³, Todd E Davenport⁴, Elissa H Bradford⁵, Mary Sue Ingman⁶, Dawn M Magnusson⁷

Affiliations

¹ Doctor of Physical Therapy Division, Duke University, 311 Trent Dr, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
² Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
³ Department of Physical Therapy, Texas State University, Round Rock, Texas, USA.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, USA.
⁵ Physical Therapy Program, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.
⁶ Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Henrietta Schmoll School of Health, St Catherine University, St Paul, Minnesota, USA.
⁷ Physical Therapy Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.

Abstract

Objective: Noncommunicable diseases have increased in prevalence and are now responsible for the majority of the burden of disease. Aligning entry-level (professional) physical therapist education with these changing societal needs may position physical therapists to best address them. However, no comprehensive understanding of the practices and attitudes related to population health, prevention, health promotion, and wellness (PHPW) content among accredited US professional doctor of physical therapy (DPT) programs has been established. This study aims to identify practices and attitudes related to PHPW content among accredited US DPT programs.

Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional design using an electronic survey was utilized. Program directors of each accredited DPT program were identified using an official Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education list and invited to ascertain the perceived importance of PHPW, describe the delivery of PHPW content, and identify factors that influence inclusion of PHPW content in US DPT programs.

Results: Individuals from 49% of 208 invited programs responded. Nearly all programs reported teaching prevention (96.1%), health promotion (95.1%), and wellness content (98.0%), while fewer reported teaching population health (78.4%). However, only 15% of PHPW topics were covered in depth. Facilitators and barriers to the delivery of PHPW content were reciprocal and included faculty with PHPW expertise, logistical flexibility and support, and the perceived importance of PHPW content.

Conclusions: The majority of US DPT programs are teaching PHPW content. Lack of trained faculty and lack of professional competencies hinder further integration of PHPW content into curricula.

Impact: The findings of this study highlight avenues for additional research to determine professional PHPW competencies and additional educational needs for faculty members.

Keywords: Education: Professional; Health Promotion; Physical Therapists; Prevention.

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Curriculum*
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Promotion*
Humans
Noncommunicable Diseases / therapy*
Physical Therapy Specialty / education*
Population Health*
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States

Grants and funding

K12 HD055931/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States