Diagnostic and Procedural Imaging Curricula in Musculoskeletal Physical Therapist Residency and Fellowship Education.

IF 1.7 Q3 REHABILITATION

Physiotherapy Research International Pub Date : 2026-04-01 DOI:10.1002/pri.70218

Evan Othmer Nelson, Emily Claire Goetz-Sutinen, Tyler Alan James Amborn, Dale A Gerke

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background and purpose: Educational standards require physical therapy (PT) orthopedic and sports residency and fellowship curricula to include diagnostic imaging instruction. Prior research found that clinicians with advanced training through post-professional education had the requisite diagnostic imaging knowledge and skills. Curricular design or graduate proficiency in diagnostic imaging has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess diagnostic and procedural imaging curricula, instructional methods, and graduate expertise in orthopedic and sports physical therapy residency and fellowship programs.

Methods: A 42-item electronic survey was distributed to all American Board of Physical Therapy Residency & Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) orthopedic and sports programs. Content categories included (1) program characteristics, (2) diagnostic imaging curriculum, (3) instructional methods, (4) self-reported graduate proficiency, and (5) perception that direct referral for diagnostic imaging is within the scope of PT practice.

Results: Survey responses from 101 programs (84 residency; 17 fellowship) represent 67 orthopedic and 34 sports PT programs. Curricula include radiography (n = 90), magnetic resonance imaging (88), computed tomography (77), bone scintigraphy (55), and ultrasound (60). Eighty-two (97%) curricula instruct how to integrate imaging results with other clinical data and 80 (94%) how to incorporate imaging results into clinical decisions. Twenty-five (29.4%) taught how to directly refer patients for imaging studies. Curricula include diverse educational methods, resources, and assessment techniques. Programs perceived graduates were proficient in all requisite diagnostic imaging skills, but the lowest perceived proficiency was referring to imaging studies.

Discussion: Imaging curricula are widely included in post-professional orthopedic and sports PT programs. Learning experiences embedded in the clinical setting are well positioned to provide meaningful training for appropriate imaging utilization.

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肌肉骨骼物理治疗师住院医师和奖学金教育的诊断和程序成像课程。

背景和目的：教育标准要求物理治疗（PT）骨科和运动住院医师和奖学金课程包括诊断成像教学。先前的研究发现，经过专业后教育的高级培训的临床医生具有必要的诊断成像知识和技能。课程设计或研究生在诊断成像方面的熟练程度尚未被调查。本研究的目的是评估骨科和运动物理治疗住院医师和奖学金项目的诊断和程序成像课程、教学方法和研究生专业知识。方法：对所有美国物理治疗住院医师和奖学金教育委员会（ABPTRFE）骨科和体育项目进行42项电子调查。内容类别包括(1)项目特点，(2)诊断成像课程，(3)教学方法，(4)自我报告的毕业生熟练程度，以及(5)直接转诊诊断成像在PT实践范围内的认知。结果：来自101个项目（84个住院医师项目，17个奖学金项目）的调查反馈，包括67个骨科项目和34个运动PT项目。课程包括x线摄影（90人）、磁共振成像（88人）、计算机断层扫描（77人）、骨显像（55人）和超声（60人）。82门（97%）课程指导如何将影像学结果与其他临床数据相结合，80门（94%）课程指导如何将影像学结果纳入临床决策。25位（29.4%）教授如何直接转诊患者进行影像学检查。课程包括多种教育方法、资源和评估技术。项目认为毕业生精通所有必要的诊断成像技能，但最低的熟练程度是指影像学研究。讨论：影像课程被广泛地包括在职业后骨科和运动PT课程中。在临床环境中嵌入的学习经验可以很好地为适当的成像利用提供有意义的培训。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Physiotherapy Research International REHABILITATION-

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： Physiotherapy Research International is an international peer reviewed journal dedicated to the exchange of knowledge that is directly relevant to specialist areas of physiotherapy theory, practice, and research. Our aim is to promote a high level of scholarship and build on the current evidence base to inform the advancement of the physiotherapy profession. We publish original research on a wide range of topics e.g. Primary research testing new physiotherapy treatments; methodological research; measurement and outcome research and qualitative research of interest to researchers, clinicians and educators. Further, we aim to publish high quality papers that represent the range of cultures and settings where physiotherapy services are delivered. We attract a wide readership from physiotherapists and others working in diverse clinical and academic settings. We aim to promote an international debate amongst the profession about current best evidence based practice. Papers are directed primarily towards the physiotherapy profession, but can be relevant to a wide range of professional groups. The growth of interdisciplinary research is also key to our aims and scope, and we encourage relevant submissions from other professional groups. The journal actively encourages submissions which utilise a breadth of different methodologies and research designs to facilitate addressing key questions related to the physiotherapy practice. PRI seeks to encourage good quality topical debates on a range of relevant issues and promote critical reflection on decision making and implementation of physiotherapy interventions.