Impact of a 7-day retreat for people with Parkinson's disease: a phenomenological study.

Aim: Early and ongoing access to rehabilitation and exercise may preserve functional mobility and quality of life for persons with Parkinson disease (PwP). The aim of the current study was to describe the experience of PwP who participated in a 7-day retreat. Materials & methods: A phenomenological approach was used to describe the lived experience of PwP. Results: Three themes emerged from interviews: a community of shared information where participants discussed exercising and learning with other PwP; improved control of Parkinson's disease symptoms, including performing physical tasks more easily and renewed motivation for their long-term plans for exercise because of the retreat. Conclusion: A 7-day retreat for PwP positively impacted perceived control of disease-related symptoms and intentions to continue exercise.

Volunteer Leadership in the American Physical Therapy Association: A Phenomenological Study of Early Career Physical Therapists.

OBJECTIVE: Professional associations rely on the work of volunteer leaders to serve their members. Little is known about the experiences of individuals who choose to seek and participate in these volunteer roles in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experience of early career professionals engaged in volunteer leadership in APTA. METHODS: The study used a phenomenological design to explore the experience of volunteer leadership by novice physical therapists. Physical therapists holding a volunteer leadership position in APTA and in the first 7 years of clinical practice were recruited using purposeful sampling. One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted. Following transcription, interviews were analyzed and coded using the constant comparison method. RESULTS: Thirteen physical therapists participated. Eleven themes emerged: (1) internal factors that facilitated volunteerism-Passion, Internal drive, Always involved, Protect and advance the profession; (2) external forces that facilitated and sustained volunteer leadership-Professional role models, Meeting the leaders, Someone asked, Support of others; and (3) behaviors that sustained their involvement-Learning while doing, Future plans, and Encouraging others' involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Novice physical therapists who volunteer for leadership roles within APTA have a passion for protecting and advancing the profession that leads to their decision to volunteer. Other members including faculty and experienced leaders in the association facilitate their initial volunteerism and help to sustain their engagement. Support from employers, including time off and flexible schedules, and making plans for future involvement were crucial to their continued volunteer activity. IMPACT STATEMENT: Changing demographics and a limited understanding of volunteer leadership could leave APTA with a limited pool of leaders into the future. Understanding the reasons early career professionals volunteer in APTA can help develop more effective strategies to recruit and retain these leaders.

A survey of student involvement in the american physical therapy association.

PURPOSE: Students in professional programs are influenced to participate in professional associations by faculty, which may have long-term implications for participation and membership. The purpose of this study is to describe the participation of Doctor of Physical of Therapy (DPT) students in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). PROCEDURES: Eighty randomly chosen DPT education program directors were asked to forward a survey link to their students. Twenty program directors agreed and 242 students completed the survey. FINDINGS: Over one-half of the respondents were required by their program to be an association member, with 43.7% holding a position and 45.7% reporting conference attendance. Students who were required to be members were equally likely to be involved. Students did not join specialty sections within the organization. CONCLUSIONS: Students are not taking advantage of all the benefits of membership. Requiring student membership does not influence participation in the professional association.