Competency Model of Physical Therapists in China: An Exploratory Research / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To construct the competency model of physical therapists in China. Methods:A set of physical therapists' competency elements was established based on literature review and expert interviews. A questionnaire was designed based on the set, and 641 rehabilitation practitioners were investigated (521 valid questionnaires returned) with the questionnaire. Exploration factor analysis was used to construct the competency model of physical therapists, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirmed. Results:The set of physical therapists' competency elements included 74 elements in four dimensions. There were 44 competency elements in the competency model of physical therapists, including five dimensions that were Professionalism and Moral Conduct, Knowledge and Skills of Evaluation and Intervention, Abilities of Educational-Research and Advocate, Abilities of Cooperation and Management, and Basic Knowledge of Discipline, covering 74.41% of the total variance. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the whole questionnaire and each dimension was more than 0.8. Model fitness indexes of confirmatory factor analysis were as follow χ2/df = 2.340, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.060, Goodness of Fit Index = 0.746, Normed Fit Index = 0.811, Incremental Fit Index = 0.850, Comparative Fit Index = 0.850. Conclusion:The competency model can provide a basis for physical therapists to become independent occupation, as well as for the education, selection, evaluation of physical therapists in China.