Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

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

First Advisor

Bini Litwin

Second Advisor

Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez

Third Advisor

Jennifer Canbek

Publication Date / Copyright Date

2018

Abstract

Problem Statement

Residency programs that emphasize clinical reasoning and manual therapy can provide a means to optimize the outcomes of physical therapy without the need for or access to expensive equipment. The residency format of continuing education could allow physical therapists in developing countries access to specialty training and ongoing mentorship. However, there are limited studies that investigate the influence of residency training on the progression of clinical reasoning, professional development, and career advancement.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was threefold. The first objective was to describe the outcome of a post-graduate orthopaedic manual therapy residency program on development of knowledge and clinical reasoning skills by physical therapists in Nairobi, Kenya. The second objective was to explore the influence of the residency program on the participants’ professional development and career advancement. The last objective was to explore the residency experience from participants’ perspectives.

Methodology

This mixed methods study utilized a sample of convenience that included residents in the third (n=14) and fourth (n=13) cohorts of the orthopaedic manual therapy residency program in Kenya. Data collection included an assessment of clinical reasoning through a live patient examination, a survey on professional and career development, and qualitative interviews.

Results

There was a significant improvement in clinical reasoning development as measured by an assessment of a live patient examination (p

Discussion

The residency program in Nairobi, Kenya may serve as a framework for the formation of post-graduate education programs in other developing countries. The development of residency programs that can influence the ability of physical therapists to provide treatment efficiently and effectively may ultimately assist in serving community physical therapy needs.

Disciplines

Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

Keywords

Psychology, Health and environmental sciences, Education, Ongoing mentorship, Participants' perspectives, Specialty training

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