ACAPT First Annual Geneva R. Johnson Innovations in Physical Therapy Education Forum: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT): So What? Now What? Educating DPTs as Leaders to Meet Future Societal Needs

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) is a component of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and represents the institutions that provide physical therapist (PT) education. The purpose of ACAPT is to advance the enterprise of academic physical therapy by promoting the highest standards of excellence. For the purposes of ACAPT and its activities, academic physical therapy includes all aspects of PT education, including clinical education and post-professional education. ACAPT has a leadership role in establishing the direction of PT education and has the responsibility and accountability to duly reflect the interests and needs of the academic and clinical PT educational community.Critical to advancing the ACAPT vision, the ACAPT Board of Directors explored opportunities in 2013 to develop a think tank of sorts, where we could bring together multiple stakeholders in a safe environment to incubate ideas, encourage dialogue and intellectual discourse, and set the stage for action to positively impact the future of PT education. The Forum idea, held in conjunction with the Educational Leadership Conference, was thus born. It was named in honor of Dr Geneva R. Johnson, who for over 60 years has served as an extraordinary leader in physical therapy education. As was stated at the Forum, Dr Johnson began her physical therapy career in the United States (US) Army. As she developed her clinical skills, she also developed a profound sense of the importance of education for practice. She used her skill and vision to found the first graduate program in physical therapy at Case Western Reserve University in 1960. In her subsequent years as a physical therapy educator, she has taken the lead in residency education, interprofessional education, interprofessional practice, advocacy, and mentorship. Figure 1 is a graphic representation of all the things that Dr Johnson has meant to her colleagues in physical therapy.Thousands of students, faculty, and clinicians have benefited from Dr Johnsons insightful tutelage and her continual encouragement. She has tirelessly focused on educating and inspiring educational leaders who can clearly articulate a vision for our professional future and who are willing to take risks to achieve that vision. She continues to be a true visionary and inspires those around her to focus on the possibilities rather than on barriers. Dr Johnson has led the way with countless innovations in physical therapy education, including developing the first PT graduate program. She is a fitting namesake for the ongoing discussion of innovation in physical therapy education.The Forum will be presented annually with the goals of:* Creating a safe environment for key stakeholders in physical therapy education to discuss the infinite possibilities of the future, rather than focusing on problems.* To encourage vision, innovation, creativity, and provocative new ideas that can positively influence the future of physical therapy education.* To challenge educators to proactively move physical therapy education forward instead of reacting to societal and professional needs.FORUM ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTUREAfter a presentation on Geneva R. Johnson, the Forum began with a keynote by a leading educator outside of physical therapy, followed by 3 short talks by PT educators designed to apply the keynote concepts to physical therapy. The last portion of the Forum consisted of development of new possibilities using the Appreciative Inquiry approach.1,2 Appreciative Inquiry is a way of thinking, seeing, and acting for powerful, purposeful change in organizations and has been found to be particularly useful in systems being overwhelmed by a constant demand for change, like that of physical therapy education. Appreciative Inquiry approaches change by assuming that whatever you want more of already exists in the organization, and that learning from best practices leads to new innovations. …