Entry-Level DPT Wound Management Education in a Hybrid Format: Considering the Possibilities
Nontraditional educational formats are becoming increasingly more popular. Interest in innovative models of physical therapist education have been driven by rising student debt, faculty shortages, concern about the sustainability of current clinical education models, and increased demand for residency or postprofessional training. At this time, there are 4 full-time entry-level DPT programs that engage in a nontraditional model but rather a hybrid, blended, or flex model of education. There are at least 3 others scheduled to launch in the next 3 years. In this session, the speakers will discuss new models of entry-level physical therapist education, including blended teaching and learning that incorporate both online and face-to-face experiences, a shortened DPT curriculum, and immersive lab experiences. The presenters will explore how integumentary/wound management and its unique features and challenges may be situated in these new curricular models. Attendees will have an opportunity to brainstorm ideas for integrating nontraditional strategies into their courses and share challenges they face in their current academic model regarding integumentary/wound management.