Moving Students Towards Readiness and Success with Full-Time Clinical Experiences Ð Assessing Validity of Data Obtained with the Learn PT Rubric
Purpose
The purpose is to describe the process, refinement and outcomes of a developing pediatric residency program in an underserved state. The mission of the developing UNE/Maine LEND PT Residency Program is to prepare residents for independent advanced practice in pediatric physical therapy and as clinical specialists who will help improve the lives of children, adolescents, and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families through excellence in evidence-based practice, inter-professional collaboration, and teaching of clinical skills and who will promote family-centered, inclusive, and culturally responsive health and wellness, and continue to expand the body of knowledge in pediatric physical therapy by participating in clinical research and administration and make a lasting contribution to their local and professional community.
Methods/Description:
Information was gathered from the APTA and the ABPTRFE. The guiding document for the development of this program is the Description of Residency Practice in Pediatrics. Partnerships were created with the University of New England Physical Therapy Department, the Maine LEND program, early intervention and Child Developmental Services in rural Maine, Boston ChildrenÕs Hospital, The Morrison Center, MSAD 51, Auburn Schools and local advanced pediatric physical therapists in the state of Maine. Outcomes were measured throughout the course of the program through graded assignments, resident and mentor reflection, feedback surveys, mock examinations, independent projects, and self-assessments.
Results/Outcomes:
Projected goals of the developing program include: educating practitioners to critically review the scientific literature pertinent to Pediatric physical therapy, guide practitioners in the process of inquiry and ability to contribute to the body of knowledge, prepare practitioners to engage in the process of educating students and other practitioners, prepare practitioners to be consultants, advocates, and ambassadors to the public and medical communities for the progression of physical therapy, in particular the specialty area of pediatric physical therapy, prepare practitioners to exhibit the highest standard of professionalism and uphold physical therapy core values, develop practitioners to become leaders who provide and ensure high-quality, cost-effective, community based integrated services in the communities they work in within a coordinate, culturally competent, family-centered orientation, and ensure UNE/Maine LEND pediatric PT residency program is sustainable.
Conclusions/Relevance to the conference theme:
There are seven board certified pediatric specialists in the state of Maine for 1.3 million persons. Access to quality, evidence based care from advanced physical therapy practitioners is limited. This developing program works to alleviate the workforce and quality of services issues in the state by training advance practitioners who are prepared with evidence based practice and advance training in working in the specialty setting of pediatrics.