{"title":"Current Practices for Pharmacology Instruction in Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs in the United States: A Survey-Based Assessment.","authors":"Brian J Wilkinson, Kathryn Bell, June Kume","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02043","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pharmacology constitutes a required element in physical therapist (PT) education curricula. There is insufficient evidence for pharmacology education specific to non-prescribing, non-administering healthcare providers. This study investigated the current educational practices for teaching pharmacology content within accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs in the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used a survey design that targeted instructors of pharmacology in accredited entry-level PT education programs. An original 16-question survey was distributed to inquire about instructor qualifications, pedagogical practices, and facilitative procedures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The survey was distributed to 249 programs and yielded a response rate of 18% (n=44). Only 52% (n=23/44) of participants reported being a core faculty member, and 62% (n=16/26) confirmed status as a PT. 88% of participants (n=38/43) verified an in-person, synchronous format, and 98% of programs (n=41/42) used written examination as the primary method of evaluation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is tremendous variation in pedagogical approach, qualifications, and training of instructors who facilitate pharmacology in PT education programs. Traditional methods of instruction and assessment remain prevalent. Future research should appraise clinical instructors, recent PT program graduates and administering, prescribing providers while analyzing outcomes on the National Physical Therapist Examination.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"367-374"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mica Rutschke, E Joanna Soles, Chad Jackson, Lauren Peyton
{"title":"Developing a Reliable Communication Leadership Competency Survey for Graduate Healthcare Students: Validity and Reliability of the Communication Competency Assessment in Health Professions (CCAHP).","authors":"Mica Rutschke, E Joanna Soles, Chad Jackson, Lauren Peyton","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02029","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to develop and validate a tool for assessing communication as a leadership competency among graduate healthcare students. Drawing from the American College of Healthcare Executives 2023 Competencies Assessment Tool and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership Competency Model 3.0, a survey was designed to capture essential domains of communication within leadership contexts. The initial instrument included six domains: relationship management, written communication, facilitation and negotiation, listening skills, verbal communication and effective speaking, and communicating in groups. After initial pilot testing revealed issues with item clarity and scale consistency, the survey was revised to improve content alignment and measurement accuracy. Subsequent testing incorporated exploratory factor analysis (EFA), internal consistency measures, and test-retest reliability analysis. As a result, eight components emerged and ultimately categorized as the following seven domains: communicating in groups, verbal communication and effective speaking, relationship management, written communication, listening skills, ethical collaboration, and respectful interactions. Most domains demonstrated acceptable to excellent psychometric properties, with Cronbach's alpha values and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) supporting internal consistency and stability over time. This tool, the Communication Competency Assessment in Health Professions (CCAHP) survey, provides a validated framework for assessing communication competencies in graduate health professions education and offers practical applications for guiding curriculum design, fostering interprofessional development, and sup¬porting professional identity formation.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"251-256"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Concussion, Postural Control, and Lower Extremity Injury Risk: A Comparison of Postural Control Tests.","authors":"Courtney Roca, Rebecca Mokris, John D Ranney","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02039","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Evidence suggests that individuals with sports-related concussion (SRC) may experience lingering postural control deficits, which could increase the risk of lower extremity musculoskeletal (LEMSK) injury. Mixed findings in current literature may stem from inconsistent assessment methods. This study aimed to investigate postural control in athletes with a history of SRC using multiple assessment tools to identify which, if any, best predict LEMSK injury.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 110 NCAA Division II student-athletes (67 with SRC history, 43 without; 56 males, 54 females; mean age 19.8 yrs) were recruited via purposeful sampling. Baseline postural control assessments included the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS; single and dual-task), computerized Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (M-CTSIB), and tandem gait test (TGT; single and dual-task). Participants were monitored for LEMSK injury over one competitive season. Logistic regression determined whether preseason postural performance predicted injury.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BESS dual-task performance significantly predicted LEMSK injury (b = 0.045, p = 0.047). BESS single-task performance trended toward significance (b = 0.054, p = 0.056). No significant predictive value was found for M-CTSIB or TGT (single/dual-task).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Among the postural control assessments, BESS dual-task performance was the most sensitive predictor of LEMSK injury. These findings suggest dual-task postural control testing may be valuable in identifying athletes at elevated injury risk post-SRC.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"343-350"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Growth and Challenges in Developing Cross-Cultural Competence and Leadership in Physical Therapy Students via Virtual Education: A Mixed-Methods Study.","authors":"Hsinyi Tanya Liu, Allison Schenkel, Jaci Brahmer, Jordyn Broek, Mikaela Lyday, Wei-Li Hsu, YuRu Hsu, BingHui Zou","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02040","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nearly one in five people in the U.S. speaks a language other than English at home, highlighting the need for student physical therapists (SPTs) to develop cross-cultural communication skills. This mixed-method study explored barriers and facilitators to cross-cultural interaction and examined whether virtual educational sessions could enhance SPTs' cultural competence and leadership development. Twenty-three SPTs from Taiwan and the U.S. completed a survey assessing cross-cultural competence, leadership, and prior experiences. Eleven participants joined a four-session virtual intervention featuring educational videos and guided discussions on physical therapy topics from both countries. Participants completed post-session reflections and questionnaires on cultural competence, leadership efficacy, and communication comfort. Survey results showed significant correlations between cross-cultural competence and leadership efficacy. After the intervention, participants reported improved comfort with cross-cultural communication. Identified barriers included language differences, unfamiliar topics, time zones, and fear of making mistakes. The study demonstrates that virtual cross-cultural interactions might positively impact SPTs' communication confidence and leadership skills.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"351-359"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David Chessen, Troy Hooper, Phillip S Sizer, Erin Futrell, Richard Greenhill
{"title":"Association Between Outpatient Physical Therapist Personality and Patient Management Outcomes: A Preliminary Study.","authors":"David Chessen, Troy Hooper, Phillip S Sizer, Erin Futrell, Richard Greenhill","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02045","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Healthcare increasingly recognizes non-medical factors in patient outcomes. This study examined whether outpatient physical therapist (PT) personality traits are associated with patient management outcomes. Understanding these relationships may provide insights into optimizing patient care and guiding workforce development in physical therapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This preliminary cross-sectional study included 60 PTs from outpatient clinics who completed the Big Five Inventory-10, a validated personal¬ity assessment that measures five key personality dimensions. Patient outcomes, including functional status, satis¬faction, and billing practices were collected using standardized clinic measures. Associations between PT personality traits and patient outcomes were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Higher PT extraversion (r = 0.33) and openness (r = 0.26) were associated with improved patient satisfaction scores. In regression, extraversion significantly predicted higher patient satisfaction (b = 0.28, p = 0.03). No personality traits were significantly correlated with functional status or billing practices.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PT personality may influence patient satisfaction, suggesting potential implications for training and workforce development. Larger, multi-site studies are needed to confirm and expand these findings. Clinically, these results highlight that traits such as energy, sociability, and enthusiasm often seen in extraverted individuals may enhance patient experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"385-389"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wiaam Elkhatib, Valerie Fernandez, Sarah E Alcindor, Michael Boniface, Maryane Dinkins, Beth Ladlie, David Ausejo, Andrew Austin
{"title":"Healthcare Education Pathway Pilot Programs May Advance Institutional Diversity Efforts.","authors":"Wiaam Elkhatib, Valerie Fernandez, Sarah E Alcindor, Michael Boniface, Maryane Dinkins, Beth Ladlie, David Ausejo, Andrew Austin","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02044","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Racial minorities remain underrepresented among allied health providers. Pathway programs address this gap by fostering career exposure and mentorship for underrepresented students. A pilot program was designed to increase underrepresented minority (URM) students entering health professions through career exploration and mentorship. High school students were enrolled into a pre-post survey study through a healthcare magnet school having higher proportions of economically disadvantaged students. Career exploration included healthcare presentations and skills sessions. Students were matched with mentors based on career interests. 22 students participated. The program facilitated career exploration sessions, mentor-mentee meetings, and workshops with diverse healthcare professionals. Participants reported increased likelihood towards pursuing healthcare careers. Preliminary findings suggest similar pilot pathway programs may increase URM student interest in healthcare careers.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"375-383"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anne Kilpatrick Lorio, Daphne Greenberg, Hongli Li
{"title":"Enhancing Patient Education in Physical Therapy: Insights into Practices, Barriers, and Health Literacy.","authors":"Anne Kilpatrick Lorio, Daphne Greenberg, Hongli Li","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02033","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Patient education is a primary intervention that physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) use in patient care; however, not much is recently known about patient education practice in the United States. This study addressed this gap by surveying PTs and PTAs with a survey instrument developed from the works of Forbes (2017), Snook (2022), Coleman (2017), and Zappin et al. (2023).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A concurrent mixed-mode survey was distributed to 715 therapists, yielding 157 completed responses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Top barriers to effective patient education included patient's cognitive status, emotional status, and lack of trust/rapport between patient and provider. Respondents reported using 6 of the 8 recommended clear communication techniques; however, most were not familiar with the correct definition of health literacy universal precautions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although the therapists believe written instructions are important and frequently are provided, they rarely evaluate the level of the reading material. Additionally, differences were found based on provider demographics, including differences in health literacy knowledge, use of medical jargon, and use of written and verbal instructions. Implications for clinical practice and future directions for research related to patient education and clear communication are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"285-299"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael R Brown, Daniel J Kruger, Jessica S Kruger
{"title":"Doctor of Physical Therapy Students' Perceptions of Collaborative Practice Skills Following Two Separate Interprofessional Education Forums.","authors":"Michael R Brown, Daniel J Kruger, Jessica S Kruger","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02026","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Preparing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to participate in interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) is essential for improving patient-centered care. This study is a retrospective review of three DPT student cohorts' (n = 106) perceived IPCP competence after completing a 1.5-hour online interprofessional (IP) forum compared with students from 11 other health professions during the Fall and Spring semester. DPT students participated in an 8-week clinical education experience between IP forums. Pre- and post-IP forum self-reported competencies were compared between Spring and Fall semesters using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS). After participation in the Spring IP forum, students' ICCAS scores increased in all ICCAS subscales with large effect sizes. Students reported a perceived decline in these skills in the 4 months between Spring and Fall IP forums, followed by a restoration of IP skill levels after participating in the Fall IP forum. These results indicate participation in IP forums has a positive impact on students' IPCP skill perception; however, repeated IP learning experiences may be beneficial if physical therapy students are expected to embrace collaborative practice to enhance patient outcomes. Educators should consider providing both academic and clinical opportunities to ensure IPCP skills are maintained.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"227-232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bridging the Gap: Identifying Challenges and Enhancing Professional Development for Clinical Instructors in Rehabilitation Sciences: A Needs Assessment to Inform Targeted Support for Clinical Instructors.","authors":"Tara Mansour, Anne W Thompson","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02035","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Clinical instructors (CIs) play a vital role in preparing students in the rehabilitation sciences for clinical practice, yet many receive limited formal training in teaching and supervision. This qualitative study explored the experiences, challenges, and clinical education professional development needs of CIs in occupational and physical therapy. Thirteen instructors participated in semi-structured interviews, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: 1) perceived training needs, highlighting challenges with feedback, student variability, and professionalism; 2) preparation pathways, revealing inconsistencies in how CIs are trained; 3) systemic barriers, including time constraints, limited funding, and lack of institutional recognition; and 4) preferred learning formats, with a strong preference for flexible, experiential, and embedded models such as hybrid learning and train-the-trainer approaches. Findings emphasize the need for contextually relevant, competency-based development embedded within clinical workflows. Academic institutions should move beyond offering optional workshops and collaborate with clinical partners to co-design training that addresses the day-to-day demands of clinical instruction. By recognizing clinical instruction as a specialized skill requiring intentional support, academic programs can enhance CI engagement, reduce burnout, and ultimately improve the quality of clinical education. This study provides actionable insights for building sustainable, practice-integrated development models that empower CIs across disciplines.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"307-316"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experiential Learning in Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy: Outcomes for Occupational Therapy Students.","authors":"Heather Roberts, Angela Shierk, Brenna Merillat, Youstina Habeeb, Talor Lesner, Sue Ram","doi":"10.21091/jah.2026.02028","DOIUrl":"10.21091/jah.2026.02028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Effective training is essential in occupational therapy (OT) programs to prepare students to implement evidence-based interventions. This study examined the impact of experiential learning on OT students' knowledge, confidence, and perceptions related to pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy (P-CIMT).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A mixed-methods pre-test/post-test design evaluated changes in students' perceptions of P-CIMT, as well as their self-reported knowledge and confidence in implementing it.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Graduate OT students (n=44) who participated in a P-CIMT experiential learning program.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>An experiential learning program focused on P-CIMT.</p><p><strong>Outcomes: </strong>Students completed the Intensive Upper Limb Training Experiential Survey before and after the program. The survey included short-answer, multiple-choice, and Likert-style questions to assess time invest¬ment, perceptions of P-CIMT, self-reported knowledge and confidence, and feedback on the experience.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>University-based program.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Students demonstrated significantly greater knowledge and confidence in implementing P-CIMT (p<0.05), along with improved perceptions of its importance. Participants valued the experience and expressed interest in more hands-on learning opportunities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Experiential learning meaningfully enhanced students' understanding and confidence in applying P-CIMT. With evidence supporting experiential learning as a positive opportunity for OT students, OT programs should consider incorporating similar learning opportunities focused on evidenced-based interventions to equip students with the necessary experience and knowledge to become evidence-based practitioners.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"55 2","pages":"241-249"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}