Author ORCID Identifier
Derrick F. Campbell - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6812-6465
Jean-Michel Brismee - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1037-7704
Brad Allen - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7864-9809
Troy Hooper - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3436-2993
Manuel A. Domenech - https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9831-2130
Kathleen J. Manella - https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8032-6745
Abstract
Introduction: The shift to telehealth exposed gaps in our understanding of how physical therapy students perceive patient assessment in a remote situation using the examination component of the patient/client management (PCM) model. The purpose of the study was to compare Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ self-efficacy performing patient assessment using the examination component of the PCM model using telehealth compared with conventional examination. To achieve the purpose of this study, the Physical Therapist Self-Efficacy (PTSE) scale was used. More specifically, self-efficacy in clinical reasoning was measured using the following items: (1) PTSE total score (2) performance of tests and measures, (3) determining when to refer to another practitioner, and (4) screening for primary medical disease.
Methods: A survey-based descriptive and exploratory repeated measures design was used, with surveys distributed to entry-level DPT students during their clinical experiences in the United States during the Fall 2020 semester. A convenience sample of 35 second- and third-year entry-level DPT students who reported provided both telehealth and traditional examinations during clinical experiences was used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate within group differences comparing student self-efficacy using telehealth and conventional examination.
Results: Wilcoxon sign ranks revealed statistically significant differences in self-efficacy scores of students conducting patient assessment using telehealth compared to conventional examination. More specifically, scores for telehealth were lower (P < 0.001) compared to conventional examination in PTSE total score, performance of tests and measures, determining when to refer to another practitioner, and medical screening for primary disease.
Discussion: Doctor of Physical Therapy students’ self-efficacy was lower when providing telehealth across all PTSE questions pertaining to the examination component of the PCM model. Exploring telehealth content and sequence in entry-level physical therapy curriculum may help students feel more prepared to perform telehealth examination.
Key words: Examination, Physical therapy, Self-efficacy, Students, Telehealth.
Recommended Citation
Campbell, D. F., Brismee, J., Allen, B., Hooper, T., Domenech, M. A., & Manella, K. J. (2023). Self-Efficacy with Telehealth Examination: the Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Perspective. Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy, 2(2), 12-19. https://doi.org/10.46409/002.UDAV8455
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Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Technology Commons, Physical Therapy Commons, Physiotherapy Commons