Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Relationship of Physical Therapists' Reflective Practitioner Skill Characteristics

Authors

Mary Gunn, 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

Mary Gunn. 1998. Relationship of Physical Therapists' Reflective Practitioner Skill Characteristics. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (119)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/119.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the degree and relationship to which physical therapists in various clinical settings value the importance of reflective skills and how frequently these skills are used.

Method: Descriptive research using a self-designed validated survey was used to determine importance and frequency of use for the reflective skills. A Likert-scale point value was assigned to the variables for both sections of the survey. Content validity was determined through review by experts and a pilot study was performed. Revisions in terminology and deletion of an item were then made. Fifty-seven out of 200 subjects responded to the survey. Mean and standard deviation for the items were calculated and Pearson-product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the variables of importance and frequency of use.

Results: The reflective skills for importance ranged from 3.77 to 4.64 on a scale of 1 to 5. Frequency ranged from 1.40 to 1.74 on a scale of 0 to 2. Pearson correlation (r = .029 to .595) between importance and frequency of use demonstrated to a positive relationship of all the skills, with the exception of critical analysis.

Discussion: The respondents did appear to place a high value on the importance and use of the reflective skills. There was a positive relationship between them, although the skills were not statistically strong, in particular the skill of critical analysis. Further research is needed to determine this relationship of the reflective skills.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy