Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Comparison of Tasks Performed by College Graduate and Equivalency Trained Physical Therapist Assistants Employed in California

Authors

Kirk Bradley, 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

Kirk Bradley. 1998. Comparison of Tasks Performed by College Graduate and Equivalency Trained Physical Therapist Assistants Employed in California. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (93)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/93.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if tasks performed by California employed physical therapist assistants (PTAs) prepared through equivalency 1398.47(a)(3) and PTA programs significantly differ from each other.

Subjects: From the 101 of 320 systematically sampled licensed PTAs returning surveys (return rate of 31.6%), 76 were used in this study prepared as either college graduate or equivalency 1398.47(a)(3) candidates.

Methodology: Data were collected for this descriptive study from a self gene ted survey. Frequencies were determined for demographic questions; cross tabulations and Chi-square tests were performed for 83 physical therapy tasks obtained from the coalition for consensus document provided by the APT A.

Results: The tasks performed by PT As who prepared for the PTA licensure examination as specified in 1398.47(a)(3) of the California Practice Act did not significantly differ fr m the graduates of an accredited PTA program.

Conclusion and Discussion: No significant differences were found when comparing program graduate and equivalency prepared 1398.47(a)(3) PTAs suggesting that both are being utilized similarly in the clinic. However, the results may be indicative of inappropriate delegation by physical therapists.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy