{"title":"Exploring Wellness Interventions for Graduate Students: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Christina M Wisdom, Joan Ziegler Delahunt","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This mixed-method design pilot study explored healthcare graduate students' perceptions of a two-phase wellness intervention.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Occupational therapy and physical therapy entry-level graduate students (n=53).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An initial survey guided content for wellness interventions. The first phase (8 weeks) invited students to weekly in-person educational wellness sessions. The second phase (~9 weeks) gave access to a \"wellness cart\" stocked with wellness supplies. Students shared quantitative and qualitative feedback about the educational sessions and the wellness cart.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data indicated students perceived the interventions as useful and applicable. Two predominant themes emerged from the group sessions: intentionality in caring for self and sharing techniques for social connection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Students positively perceived the wellness interventions. Students reported intentionality to incorporate wellness strategies daily and share wellness strategies with others.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 3","pages":"e403-e410"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001492","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}
Erin N McAdams, Victoria Henbest, Elizabeth Adams, Susan Gordon-Hickey, Anjie Davis
{"title":"Advancing Cultural Awareness of Interprofessional Allied Health Students: Interviews with Community Members from Minoritized Backgrounds.","authors":"Erin N McAdams, Victoria Henbest, Elizabeth Adams, Susan Gordon-Hickey, Anjie Davis","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Students from the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama in the Audiology, Physician Assistant Studies, and Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs participated in an experiential learning program to engage their overall understanding of three aspects related to cultural awareness: social determinants of health, social justice, and implicit bias. First-year students (n=95) were randomly assigned into interprofessional teams and a pre-test was given prior to the start of the project. A didactic portion followed the pretest and then students conducted interviews with individuals from minoritized backgrounds regarding their real-life experiences with the healthcare system and healthcare practitioners. Students concluded the project by completing a post-test evaluation and provided feedback through a post-program survey. Students' mean performance on the pre-test was 11.46 and post-test was 12.19, out of a possible 15, which was statistically significantly improved (p <0.001, d = 0.42), indicating improved knowledge of cultural awareness topics following participation in the program. Overall, students' awareness of social determinants of health, social justice, and implicit bias improved. Students reported particular value in the experiential interaction with community members from minoritized backgrounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 3","pages":"e313-e320"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001557","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":"Teaching Emotional Intelligence in Physician Assistant Educators.","authors":"Jaclyn Cotgreave","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Physician assistants (PAs) play a vital role in the healthcare model. Many emotional intelligence (EI) traits contribute to improved patient care. This study explored EI in PA Program roles using a survey assessing EI traits in PA faculty by teaching duration, academic degree, tenure, and leadership appointments. The 136 PA educators completed the Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SREIT). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was found between the known average SREIT score and the average score of the surveyed PA educators; a correlation between leadership training and PA leadership appointments, p < 0.001; a correlation between leadership training and degree level, p < 0.05; and a difference between SREIT scores and education levels, p < 0.05, suggesting that PA educators have higher than average SREIT scores, different SREIT scores based on their degree level, and a significant difference between achieved degrees. The practical value of this study is the knowledge of EI skills and their importance in PA educational leadership. This insight could improve educational approaches within PA programs in hiring and improving graduates' skills upon completion. Programs can foster EI training in faculty. Further study can be directed to the many academic fields of medicine. As healthcare positions have different patient care roles, EI traits can improve patient education, communication, and team interaction skills.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 3","pages":"e339-e348"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001569","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}
Jessica Feda, Kyle Adams, Laura Wenger, Jodi L Young, Tricia Catalino, Rodney Sturdivant, Kendra Gagnon
{"title":"Exploration of Predictive Relationships Between Learning and Study Strategies and Student Success in Hybrid Physical Therapy Education.","authors":"Jessica Feda, Kyle Adams, Laura Wenger, Jodi L Young, Tricia Catalino, Rodney Sturdivant, Kendra Gagnon","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs delivered in a hybrid format, with a significant amount of learning occurring online. There is a need to understand student characteristics that predict success in this format. The purpose of this study was to identify learning and study strategies that predict DPT program cumulative grade point average (cGPA) and performance on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in a hybrid DPT program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants included 107 students enrolled in a hybrid DPT program. Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) scores, demographic data, NPTE results, and cGPA were collected. Variables were analyzed using regression analyses to predict NPTE scores and cGPA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three LASSI scales including test strategies, selecting main ideas, and anxiety explained 9.8% of the variance in cGPA. Five LASSI scales including self-testing, selecting main ideas, anxiety, concentration, and test strategies explained 18.3% of the variance in NPTE scores. These analyses yielded two primary scale predictors of academic success for hybrid DPT students: self-testing and test strategies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This is the first study to explore the predictive value of self-regulated learning on NPTE results and cGPA within hybrid DPT education. Self-regulated learning strategies are modifiable and may be used prospectively as targets for intervention to improve NPTE performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 2","pages":"e175-e181"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144267515","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}
Sabrina Wu, Akina M Sanyang, Michael W Denham, Laurel D Abbruzzese, Anabelle Andon, Tavinder K Ark, Tyra M Banks, Ashley Graham-Perel, Rosa Lee, Hetty Cunningham
{"title":"Feasibility of a Novel Rubric for Building the Capacity of Healthcare Professionals to Engage in Diverse Teams: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Sabrina Wu, Akina M Sanyang, Michael W Denham, Laurel D Abbruzzese, Anabelle Andon, Tavinder K Ark, Tyra M Banks, Ashley Graham-Perel, Rosa Lee, Hetty Cunningham","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Diverse teams can function at the highest levels, producing innovative, impactful outcomes. However, teams must learn to work through conflict that can coexist with diverse perspectives. While teamwork evaluation rubrics exist, there is a shortage of curricula offering early healthcare students tools, practice, and structured feedback toward diverse teamwork preparation. This pilot study aimed to assess feasibility of a novel educational rubric.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Our multidisciplinary team synthesized 3 validated rubrics to develop a Diverse Teams Rubric (DTR). We investigated the DTR through a retrospective survey of doctoral physical therapy (DPT) students who had recently completed a team-based course. The survey included the 8-item DTR and 14 questions about DTR feasibility.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 42 respondents, 89% endorsed the DTR's usefulness in evaluating team effectiveness. 83% reported their team was diverse and 36% reported experiencing microaggressions within past teams. Regarding the DTR, the microaggressions item (\"Team effectively managed microaggressions.\") received the lowest average score.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Preliminary findings suggest DPT students find the DTR accessible and useful in promoting team skills within diverse group-learning settings. Students frequently encounter microaggressions in teams and responses suggest increased education is warranted. Next steps include prospective DTR assessment and validation, with particular attention to psychological safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 3","pages":"e423-e428"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001551","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}
Maureen Barrett, Julia Chevan, Kimberly Nowakowski, Kathleen Pappas
{"title":"Developing Professionalism in Healthcare Students: Impact of a Health Coaching Program.","authors":"Maureen Barrett, Julia Chevan, Kimberly Nowakowski, Kathleen Pappas","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explored the impact of a curriculum-embedded health coaching program on student professionalism. We compared physical therapy students who participated in a coaching program (n=79) to a control group who did not (n=70). We analyzed differences between the two groups and examined the association of group to achievement of better performance ratings. We found differences between the groups in ratings on the variables that measured safety, communication, professional behavior, and accountability. We also found associations between group and the achievement of a rating of advanced intermediate or better for the same variables. These findings suggest that health coaching programs can promote professionalism and student self-efficacy early in their clinical training. Future research should investigate the program's impact on other relevant areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 3","pages":"e411-e416"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001584","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}
Charles Salvo, Amanda Marsh, Harry Olsen, Matthew Yansick, Alicia Yoh
{"title":"Physical Therapist Employment-Related Stress Among Various Practice Settings.","authors":"Charles Salvo, Amanda Marsh, Harry Olsen, Matthew Yansick, Alicia Yoh","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent literature has indicated that United States healthcare worker stress levels has been consistently high over the past several years. However, the impact of practice setting in the field of physical therapy was not explored. The purpose of this quantitative correlation study, using a cross-sectional approach, was to evaluate the perceived workplace stress levels of physical therapists (PTs) and to examine how the stress levels relate to specific practice settings and other demographic variables. Stress levels were identified by administering the Perceived Stress Scale and a demographic questionnaire was used to gather participant characteristic information. A total of 124 PTs completed the survey. Results indicated that most PTs experienced moderate (53.2%) or low (40.3%) job-related stress with no statistically significant difference between practice settings (F(2,121) = 0.442, p > 0.05). Further analysis showed that participants who reported receiving treatment/counseling services for stress (13.7%) and those who reported their PT employment as one of their primary stressors (64.5%) had statistically significantly higher stress than those reporting the opposite.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 3","pages":"e291-e296"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001527","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":"Exploring Belongingness in a DPT Program Using a Revised Belongingness Scale.","authors":"Colette A Waddell, Kyle Covington, Ashley K Poole","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Research shows that belongingness positively correlates to students' academic performance and achievement. The lack of belongingness may limit students' progression within an educational setting and limit academic achievement. This exploratory study aims to explore belongingness among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and describe the factors that influence belongingness within a single academic program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Belongingness in Higher Education Institutions (BES-HE) scale was revised for DPT students and was completed electronically by actively enrolled first and second-year students (n=58) at an individual private institution. Respondents also completed one open-ended prompt to describe factors that influenced their belongingness. Overall belongingness scores were reported along with comparative measures using Mann-Whitney U testing, and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Students highlighted friendships, team-based learning, fitting in, class size, culture, program activities, and relationships with faculty as factors influencing belongingness within an academic program. Statistical significance for belongingness was found only within the variable of sexual orientation. Students self-identifying as LGBTQ+ reported a lower sense of belongingness in the subcategories of student community, integration, and total overall belongingness scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The BES-HE is one tool that could be used to measure belongingness and better understand the factors that influence belongingness within a DPT program.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 2","pages":"e223-e231"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144267517","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}
Virginia L Dubasik, Sue A Denninger, Lisa Sakemiller
{"title":"Preparing Graduate Students for School-Based Practice Via Virtual Interprofessional Education.","authors":"Virginia L Dubasik, Sue A Denninger, Lisa Sakemiller","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While much of the existing literature on interprofessional education (IPE) informs collaboration among providers in healthcare settings, less is known about effects of virtual IPE experiences related to school-based practice. We utilized a repeated measure design and retrospective analysis to examine changes in occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and speech-language pathology (SLP) graduate students' self-reported IP competence and perceptions concerning a virtual IPE experience about school-based practice. Students' self-perception of IP competence was measured using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey-Revised (ICCAS-R) and three post-event reflection questions. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, post hoc analysis, and ANOVA were used to compare scores on the ICCAS-R and program effect on time. Data from 130 completed surveys revealed that graduate students reported greater agreement on post-ICCAS statements, suggesting greater perceived confidence post-IPE experience. Analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the number of types of collab¬oration experiences and pre- and post-ICCAS-R scores (p<0.05). An interpretive thematic analysis revealed four main themes from students' self-assessment of their communication and collaboration abilities in team situations. These findings highlight benefits of a virtual IPE experience on graduate students' perceived IP competence in school-based practice. Virtual IPE effectively addresses accreditation standards and supports development of IPEC competencies related to roles and responsibilities, communication, and teamwork.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"54 2","pages":"e133-e140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144267524","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":"Development and Implementation of Substance Use Training for Allied and Behavioral Health Professionals: Addressing the Epidemic and Improving the Outcomes.","authors":"Frank Czuba, Caren Schranz, Nancy Burley, Shannon Dermer, Cheryl Mejta, Carly Meyer","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Allied and behavioral health professionals (ABHP) interact with clients who may be at higher risk for substance misuse or substance use disorders (SUD) due to mental health problems, relational problems, and acute/chronic pain due to injury/illness. These problems can lead to more substance misuse and affect daily life activities and overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, not enough individuals seek treatment due to stigma associated with substance use, partially because of the lack of properly trained and educated healthcare professionals. The researchers developed an interprofessional training program using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to develop learning modules focused on understanding the science of addiction, the stigma related to addictions, and the basic interviewing and assessment techniques to support appropriate substance use intervention and referral. The goal was to prepare ABHP students to appropriately address substance use as part of their future professional practice. The SBIRT learning modules used pre/post test quizzes to collect data on the effectiveness. 140 occupational and physical therapy and mental health counselling students completed the training and the results showed a significant increase in participants knowledge supporting the value of the SBIRT training.</p>","PeriodicalId":35979,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Allied Health","volume":"53 3","pages":"e183-e186"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142297268","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}