Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physical Therapy

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.

First Advisor

Cheryl Hill

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2022

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the lived experience of patients with neurological disorders in pro bono physical therapy teaching and learning clinics (PB-TLCs). It is important to understand the meaning of this experience since a growing number of physical therapy education programs utilize this type of clinic to meet their educational and accreditation needs. It would be unethical for physical therapy education programs to benefit from PB-TLCs should the patients not benefit from the care provided. Understanding the patients’ lived experience will assist programs to better facilitate the benefits to the patients, as well as the benefits to the students, faculty, clinicians, and university. An interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA) was taken for this qualitative study. A total of 15 participants from 13 universities across the United States were included. The primary source of recruitment was the use of direct referrals from PB-TLCs. Interviews were transcribed by the primary investigator and analyzed using the 6-step process recommended by the IPA founders in Chapter 5 of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Theory, Method and Research. A total of seven superordinate themes were established: PB-TLCs 1) provide ongoing, quality physical therapy care; 2) are a personal and emotional experience; 3) provide physical and psychological benefits; 4) are a teaching and learning environment; 5) foster a symbiotic therapeutic relationship; 6) were affected by COVID-19; and 7) are appreciated.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

Download
To access this thesis/dissertation you must have a valid nova.edu OR mynsu.nova.edu email address and create an account for NSUWorks.

Free My Thesis

If you are the author of this work and would like to grant permission to make it openly accessible to all, please click the Free My Thesis button.

  Contact Author

Share

 
COinS