Author ORCID Identifier

Tatiana Godoy Bobbio: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5327-8378

Publication Title

American Physical Therapy Association, Combined Section Meeting

Medical Subject Headings

Physical Therapy Specialty, Students, Telemedicine, Neurologic Exam, Self-Efficacy, Cross-section Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

Purpose/Hypothesis: Within the neuromuscular courses (NM1, NM2) in the DPT program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), some form of patient integration is offered to prepare students for different aspects of patientcare, including examination and treatment. The utilization of telehealth provided an opportunity to continue patient integration experiences while maintaining a safe and socially distant environment. Patients with neurological conditions were integrated into both courses as a form of patient integration. The purpose was to investigate student perceived confidence in using telehealth to examine and treat neurological patients. For this study, the data was based on the primary questions: (1) is there a difference in confidence in the examination, assessment and treatment of patients with a neurological condition as a result of using telehealth? and (2) if so, what specific components differentiate confidence as a result of the telehealth experience?

Number of Subjects: Ninety students were included in the final analysis (48.7% male).

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional IRB approved study enrolled DPT students from the Miami Campus in theNM1and NM2course. Students answered the Physiotherapy Self-Efficacy (PSE) survey and a focused questionnaire at baseline and after the second experience to assess their confidence in utilizing telehealth as a form of patient integration. Analysis included descriptive statistics, averages, and trends. Paired T-test and Cohen’s d estimated effect size was used to compare student perceived confidence.

Results: Two telehealth sessions were completed (one in each course). The mean total score of the PSE increased 59% (28.2 + 10.6 to 44.9 + 9.0). Significantly higher total means cores in the PSE at the end of telehealth experience were noted.

Conclusions: The results suggest that student’s level of confidence was significantly lower before the first-time participation in telehealth. However, they showed significantly greater perceived confidence in their ability to complete a neurological examination and treatment using telehealth as a result of the two experiences.

Clinical Relevance: The use of telehealth is novel within DPT programs and may provide educators with additional opportunities to facilitate patient integration. In addition, telehealth may increase students’ self-confidence in completing a neurological examination and treatment which is linked to a positive effect on student’s success.

Comments

Poster presented to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Section Meeting (CSM), held in San Antonio, Texas, February 2-5, 2022.

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