Abstract
Collaborative teamwork needs to be fostered early and often to meet contemporary practice ideals. This qualitative phenomenological designed study’s purpose was to investigate student physical therapists (SPTs) and student physical therapist assistants' (SPTAs) perceptions of an intraprofessional online activity reflective of contemporary home health and telehealth settings. A convenience sample of 25 SPTs from one program and 24 SPTAs from another program met synchronously online to view a video case of an ambulatory patient with dementia, develop a plan of care, and discuss appropriate interventions reflective of practice in Virginia. Following interactions, students wrote reflections on their experiences that were analyzed using Word Clouds. This experience allowed SPTs/SPTAs to practice their respective roles and responsibilities as future PT/PTAs, including communication, critical thinking, evaluation, exercises, and treatment. Overarching goals were met. Conducting this simulated experience online allowed students to collaborate mitigating cost barriers in travel, time to complete, and the need for in-person meeting space. Students were able to integrate APTA core values in a safe and practical learning experience. The authors plan to adapt this activity considering student feedback and realigning objectives with the 2024 Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education criteria.
Acknowledgements
Declaration of Interest statement Ethical approval was granted by Radford University, Approval number, 2022-064-RU. The study was exempt from NHS ethical review. Please note that all authors have contributed equitably to this manuscript. This manuscript is not under review elsewhere and has not been previously published.
Recommended Citation
Huth RM, Tucker JM. Fostering Future Professional Contemporary Collaboration. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Jan 17;23(1), Article 20.
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