Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
Document Type
Thesis - NSU Access Only
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
Teresa M. Palicia. 1998. Physical and Occupational Therapy Students Characterize Themselves and Each Other. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (150)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/150.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the preprofessional stereotypes that may exist between physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) students in a master's level program. First and second year students were surveyed to determine if there was a difference in opinion by year of study. I examined each disciplines' knowledge of their own and each other's roles.
Subjects: 300 students from Nova Southeastern University were included in the data analysis 193 PT and 107 OT students.
Method: The students completed the Health Team Stereotyping Scale (HTSS) in which they assess their own and each other's discipline. Data was analyzed using the Mann Whitney U test. Questions regarding demographics and identification of interventions performed by physical therapists and/or occupational therapists were asked.
Results of the HTSS were statistically significant (p
Conclusion: The students in each program viewed their profession more positively than they did the other discipline. These results are important as stereotypes can negatively affect professional interactions and, ultimately, influence patient outcomes.
Disciplines
Physical Therapy