Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Ideal Pediatric Physical Therapist as Perceived by Parents of Children with Disabilities

Authors

Shea Adair Dalrymple, Nova Southeastern University

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1998

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

NSUWorks Citation

Shea Adair Dalrymple. 1998. Ideal Pediatric Physical Therapist as Perceived by Parents of Children with Disabilities. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (106)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/106.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the level of importance that parents place on specific qualities that are sought when choosing a pediatric physical therapist for their child.

Subject: 30 parents of children, 18 years of age or younger, with a type of physical or developmental disability, attending physical therapy in Dade or Broward counties, Florida.

Methods: Written questionnaire, adapted from Redman-Bentley's study, was pilot tested by 10 subjects. Subjects did not report any questions that were unclear or misleading. Questionnaires were distributed to parents by directors of pediatric physical therapy clinics and used to obtain information on parents by directors of pediatric physical therapy clinics and used to obtain information on parent and child demographics, and to identify the level of importance placed on 22 statements pertaining to professional and personal qualities of the child's pediatric physical therapist.

Results: Results revealed that parents of children with disabilities had priorities concerning specific qualities that they seek in choosing a pediatric physical therapist for their child.

Conclusion: The ideal pediatric physical therapist as perceived by the parents was a knowledgeable therapist who listened and showed respect to the parents, kept the parents informed, and allowed them to have a say in decisions.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy