Educational Research Priorities for Pediatric Physical Therapy: A Consensus Study.

Abstract

This study engaged stakeholders internal and external to pediatric physical therapy education in a consensus exercise toward determining and refining priorities and considerations for educational research for pediatric physical therapy. The Delphi method was used to survey 54 physical therapists from 5 stakeholder groups drawn from experts in the field of physical therapy education and from Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy members invested in educational leadership, research, and/or pediatric physical therapy clinical and residency education. A 4-round survey process revealed 12 educational research priorities and 13 educational research considerations that reached 80% consensus, with clear and consistent top ranking of 4 of these priorities and 4 considerations across all stakeholder groups. As the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy continues to develop and advance its capacity and support for educational research, knowledge of these priorities and considerations might be used to guide an educational research agenda.