Geriatric Content in Physical Therapist Education Programs in the United States

Abstract

Background and Purpose. It has been a decade since the last national survey examining geriatric content within physical therapist education programs in the United States. The primary purpose of this descriptive study was to obtain current data related to the extent to which geriatrics is included in the professional preparation of physical therapists. Method. In 1999, a survey instrument was mailed to all physical therapist education programs in the United States for completion by the program director or a faculty member responsible for geriatric content within the curriculum. The survey tool had four sections: demographics, knowledge base, examination skills, and intervention skills. Ninety respondents (42% response rate) indicated their level of agreement with survey statements related to knowledge base, examination skills, and intervention skills related to geriatrics. Results. For 64% of the knowledgebase items, at least 75% of the respondents agreed that the items were optimally covered in their curriculum. For 79% of the examination items and 50% of the intervention items, at least 75% of the respondents agreed that the items were well covered in their curriculum. Conclusion. This study suggests that faculty at responding physical therapist education programs in the United States perceive that the majority of geriatric-related knowledge-base content and patient examination skills are well covered within their curriculums.