Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Physical Therapy Implementation in Florida Public Schools

Authors

Jennifer Zuidema, 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

Jennifer Zuidema. 1998. Physical Therapy Implementation in Florida Public Schools. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (174)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/174.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine what variables influence physical therapists' decisions regarding service implementation. Individual preference for certain methods was also investigated.

Subjects: 66 licensed physical therapists who were currently employed by the Florida public schools system were surveyed. 38 surveys were returned, however five had to be omitted yielding a return rate of 50%.

Method: The survey was self-designed and consisted of seven closed-ended questions regarding years experience, educational training, caseload size, preferred method of implementation, and variables considered when making implementation decisions. Frequency distributions were calculated and Chi-square analyses were performed for all variables.

Results: Integrating therapy into classroom activities was the method of delivery preferred by 22 of the respondents. A majority of respondents, 88% valued student need as the most important criteria used for implementation decisions.

Conclusion: Student need is considered the most important factor for determination of service delivery. Physical therapists working for Florida's public school system prefer to integrate their therapy into classroom activities. Whether or not this method is being used as widely as it is preferred is a subject for future study.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy