Perceptions of Physical Therapy and The Role of Physical Therapists  In Injury Prevention Among Professional Basketball Players: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Injury prevention is critical in competitive professional sports, however, the role of physical therapists in this aspect of healthcare is not fully understood. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe professional basketball players' perceptions of physical therapy (PT) and physical therapists' role in injury prevention. Study Design: Qualitative, semi-structured interview. Methods: Thirty-five professional basketball players (mean age 23.1 years ± 3.9; 42% female; 72% African American; 90% college graduates) from over 20 teams participated. Athletes participated in semi-structured interviews that focused on injury prevention and utilization of PT services. Two researchers coded the transcripts, organized the findings into general categories, and created major themes. Data saturation was reached when no new information emerged. Results: Over half (62.9%) stated that PT mainly addressed post-injury and return-to-sport rehabilitation. An overwhelming majority of players highlighted the use of an athletic trainer (AT) over physical therapists in injury prevention due to perceived expertise and trust. Conclusion: While PTs are educated in preventive care and acute injury management, professional basketball players viewed their role primarily for return-to-sport rehabilitation. The organizational structure of healthcare in professional basketball may promote closer professional relationships with ATs while limiting those with physical therapists. The result is that elite athletes may miss out on treatment specific to the PT profession. Level of Evidence: Level 4.

Transformative Learning Emerging From Challenges First-Year Students Experienced.

INTRODUCTION: Doctor of physical therapy (PT) (DPT) programs are rigorous, and students report facing overwhelming challenges. Faculty may not be cognizant of the extent of these challenges and miss opportunities to support student learning. The purpose of this article is to describe factors affecting student coping abilities and the lessons they learned from managing their self-identified challenges. REVIEW OF LITERATURE: Given the growing body of evidence surrounding mental health issues in DPT students, educators are exploring ways to support student well-being and promote their professional development. SUBJECTS: This study is a component of a larger multisite study of first-year DPT students from 3 private universities. METHODS: Participants submitted written narratives in response to a critical incident questionnaire designed to better understand first-year challenges. Responses were deidentified, researchers were blinded to participation, and confidentiality was maintained throughout. A consensus-driven interpretivist approach to qualitative data analysis was used. Strategies to ensure trustworthiness included triangulation of researchers, peer review, prolonged engagement, and use of thick rich descriptions. RESULTS: Seventy responses were analyzed. Two major themes are presented: (1) students described factors internal and external to the learning environment that inhibited and facilitated their ability to cope with challenges and (2) students shared academic successes and lessons learned from overcoming challenges, including the development of new behaviors, enhanced self-awareness, and personal and professional growth. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Building on previous work, analysis of the lived experiences of first-year DPT students revealed a process of transformational learning through challenge. This process highlights the importance of recognizing and supporting the significant incidental learning that occurs in our students during their journey through PT school. Faculty focusing solely on content knowledge, skills, and even critical thinking may not recognize and support the incidental learning occurring and may be missing significant transformational learning opportunities.

Access to Physical Therapy in a Medically Underserved, Urban Community.

PURPOSE: Austin is Chicago's largest community and is 85% African American. The purpose of this study was to the examine facilitators and barriers to physical therapy (PT) access as described by Austin community residents and health care providers (HCPs). METHODS: Community residents (n=47) participated in focus groups. Seven HCPs from Austin were interviewed by telephone or in person. All focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparative method. RESULTS: Austin residents and HCPs reported that having insurance and having a positive view of PT were facilitators to PT access. Barriers included poor proximity to PT clinics, cost, and incomplete knowledge of PT. CONCLUSIONS: Three barriers were identified by community residents and HCPs, all are modifiable factors. Future research should focus on increasing awareness about the benefits of PT and developing low-cost PT options. The PT desert identified in this study highlights the needs of underserved communities.

Design and development of a mobile exercise application for home care aides and older adult medicaid home and community-based clients.

We describe a community-engaged approach with Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), home care aide (HCA), client, and physical therapist stakeholders to develop a mobile application (app) exercise intervention through focus groups and interviews. Participants desired a short exercise program with modification capabilities, goal setting, and mechanisms to track progress. Concerns regarding participation were training needs and feasibility within usual care services. Technological preferences were for simple, easy-to-use, and engaging content. The app was piloted with HCA-client dyads (n = 5) to refine the intervention and evaluate content. Engaging stakeholders in intervention development provides valuable user-feedback on both desired exercise program contents and mobile technology preferences for HCBS recipients.

Creating a community-physical therapy partnership to increase physical activity in urban African-American adults.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities in health across the United States remain, and in some cities have worsened despite increased focus at federal and local levels. One approach to addressing health inequity is community-based participatory research (CBPR). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to describe the develop ment of an ongoing community-physical therapy partnership focused on physical activity (PA), which aims to improve the health of African-American community members and engage physical therapist (PT) students in CBPR. METHODS: Three main research projects that resulted from an initial partnership-building seed grant include (1) community focus groups, (2) training of community PA promoters, and (3) pilot investigation of PA promoter effectiveness. LESSONS LEARNED: Results from each project informed the next. Focus groups findings led to development of a PA pro moter training curriculum. PA promoters were accepted by the community, with potential to increase PA. Focus on the community issue of PA fostered and sustained the partnership. CONCLUSIONS: Community and academic partners benefitted from funding, structure, and time to create meaningful, trusting, and sustainable relationships committed to improving health. Engaging PT students with community residents provided learning opportunities that promote respect and appreciation of the social, economic, and environmental context of future patients.

Physical therapists' health promotion activities for older adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is not known to what extent and how effectively physical therapists working with older adults are promoting health with their patients. The purpose of this study was to describe what physical therapists in a midwestern urban area do with older adults (65 years and older) for health and wellness promotion in the clinical setting. SUBJECTS: A total of 65 physical therapists were invited to participate in the study. Of them, 24 respondents met the inclusion criteria and 14 were able to attend 1 of 3 focus group interviews held at the investigators' university location. Participants were female physical therapists mostly in their 30s who worked with older adults greater than 60% of the time in inpatient, outpatient, or home care settings. METHODS: Focus group interviews were tape-recorded and field notes were taken. Data were transcribed, coded individually, and underwent member-checking and peer review to ensure trustworthiness of the study's findings. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged. First, participants believed health promotion is a part of physical therapist practice. Second, participants described the health promotion benefits of more one-on-one time with patients. Third, these physical therapists acknowledged several factors that impact their delivery of health promotion. CONCLUSIONS: We found that these experienced physical therapists from a variety of practice settings were consistently practicing health promotion while treating older adults. Participants reported the one-on-one time spent that helped build relationships as the main facilitator of practicing health promotion. Although there were no objective measures of the effectiveness of their health-promoting efforts, subjectively all felt confident in their ability to promote health with their older patients.